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Thermostat housing & thermostat replacement?

Tiny
RGARYB
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 FORD THUNDERBIRD
  • 3.9L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 50,000 MILES
Today I brought my Tbird into a garage to have fixed.I figured it was water pump, dripping water from the shaft. The garage did a 'pressure test' said pump was ok, but thermostat housing was cracked & they'd replace thermostat. Total for test & required parts/labor $630.00. I was in shock. How much does a 'pressure test' cost? I'm in S.F. Bay area. What do you think re price. In the 'old days' I'd hv done it myself but cars arent the same. This place says it's PAL certified
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Monday, June 1st, 2015 AT 6:14 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
A pressure test maybe a hour labor times the shop labor rate what ever it is it varies from area to area and shop to shop. Plus the price of the parts coolant thermostat housing disposal fees tax etc. It all adds up I know it the area you live its pricey to live so things like car repairs will more as well. Also I can't see the repair bill to see what they changed for each thing labor parts etc.
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Monday, June 1st, 2015 AT 10:22 PM
Tiny
RGARYB
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Well. For all the time & bother it would Hv been to go get it after the quote & paying $150 bucks for the 'test' (estimate given when taken in) I guess I'll just sick it up. I would Hv maybe expected that for a water pump. But a thermostat.
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Monday, June 1st, 2015 AT 10:30 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Hey whats your zip code? I will try to find what the average cost for the thermostat would cost in your area on my phone app.
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Monday, June 1st, 2015 AT 11:07 PM
Tiny
RGARYB
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Hi there. My zip 94577 . Its a 'pressure test' ($150?) & Replace the thermostat 'housing' [said was 'cracked'. Hopefully he saved it] & the thermostat & the gasket, coolant [how much coolant?].I'm thinking 'their' cost for parts probably $110->$130 max via online price examples.
Thanks.G.
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Tuesday, June 2nd, 2015 AT 2:57 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
I see 171-273 just replacing the thermostat by itself no housing thats with the coolant etc plus the housing your 150 diagnosis fee. Again without seeing the bill I dont know the breakdown of what they actually charged you for. With 150 diagnosis fee iam guessing the labor rate is 150 per hr the thermostat is labor is over 1 hr.
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Tuesday, June 2nd, 2015 AT 9:26 PM
Tiny
RGARYB
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
So MAX thermostat replacement $273 + $150 for 'test'= $423 + 'housing' cost max $100 and the little labor for that.I'd say I paid at the very top end of the market. It does have a 12 month warranty so I guess that's life.
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Wednesday, June 3rd, 2015 AT 8:41 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
If you have a android phone you can get a app called repairpal they have a lot of good info estimates for repair explaining the repair etc. Thats the one I got your price from.
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Wednesday, June 3rd, 2015 AT 1:08 PM
Tiny
DEBORAH VANDERZON ACOSTA
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Here it is almost a year later & the Tbird overheated AGAIN going up Mt Tam. Steam blowing under hood, etc. AAA had to tow back to mechanic who fixed first time. I need to say that several times after it was 'repaired' my wife had to pull over due to temp gauge going way up w warning. Then it would be fine again, for awhile. Now we had this prob. Took in. SAME issue. Split thermostat housing. Hose, etc [I'm guessing to excess heat]. They 'tested' everything & said nothing showing as a problem. But as was under 2yr warranty they fixed it again. However now I'm afraid to go anywhere. Utility fan going on all the time running a lot, although hvnt seen gauge race up to top again as it did on mountain. What the hey? I read somewhere that Tbird needs a 'special' coolant. I'm wondering if it would makeTHAT big of a diff if that detail wasn't checked/used by mechanic.
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+1
Sunday, June 12th, 2016 AT 9:17 AM
Tiny
JEFFREY L. FRUSHA
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
There is the possibility of an air pocket causing repeated overheating. I bought a kit with a hand operated vacuum pump, to hopefully suck the air pocket out of my '04 T-bird.

Also, Jaguar and Ford both recommend the Ford Gold coolant, not the normal Ford Green coolant, but with Hybrid Organic Acid Technology (HOAT) Coolant, which inhibits cavitation (boiling and air pockets inside the block).
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Thursday, August 18th, 2022 AT 8:44 AM

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