Good evening everyone. My father has 1990 xj6 v12 and it needs a new radiator. A shop quoted him 1200 in laborious alone. On a scale of 1-10 how hard to change on this car is it. Any special tools? I have changed many never on a jag. Is the part dis continued? Anyplace I can order it?
thanks a ton morgan

 

I wouldn't say the radiator is any more difficult to change than any other newer style car, but I certainly found removing the hood made things considerably easier. Even that wasn't a difficult job, and certainly wasn't 1200 worth of labor!

 

I recently had my wife's radiator replaced in her 2005 Honda Pilot.

The total was $621 (parts and labor), including coolant top off and replacement of the lost transmission fluid.

They did install an aftermarket radiator though...

Go somewhere else, and never return to that shop.

 

As Jamey said, not that hard in the big scheme of things. The bonnet (hood/whatever) off makes it simpler. There are many things to remove/undo/move aside, that make it daunting.

The banjo bolt and the spacer, and the copper washers on the RH top need care, so as not to drop them.

The fan shrouds can be a mongrel, as can the lower radiator hose.

I always put new hoses, and belts whilst its out, sooooo easy.

I had mine recored a few years back, and $468, all done. That was the radiator only, labour was me haha.

$1200 is just plain RIP OFF, seriously.

I reckon about 4-6 hours including bonnet off and on for a first timer would still be a generous time.

Last time I did mine (loooooong time ago) it was out in under an hour, no bonnet off, as I know the angle of the dangle required to miss all the stuff, and just which size spanner to grab, etc etc.

 

That's their way of saying they don;t wnat to do the job.

The only thing I can add to the advice from the others is if you decide to NOT remove the hood make sure you have an assistant to help lift the radiator out.

Cheers
DD

 

I'd assume a shop would charge less than 4 hours total for the labor. Most cars have a "book" rate of 3.something for a radiator removal.

The Jag dealer here in the DC area charges $110/hour.

 

I recently had mine out and used Dougs method, ie keep the hood on, although the struts were disconnected and it was opened as far as it would go. Put a big towel on the engine and with an assistant lifted the thing out pretty easily then placed it on the engine, got our breaths back and then lifted it clear. It was probably 30% covered in crap between the rad and the a/c cooler