It's to bad you didn't ask the mechanic to show you WHY the radiator needed replacing. He should have offered to show you where the system was leaking.

Maybe this will help someone else.

A pressure test on the radiator is supposed to show where a leak is. A simple device is attached to where the rdaiator cap hugs on. It looks like a radiator cap with a hose attached to it, a pump, & a gage to measure the amount of pressure pumped into the cooling system. If the pressure drops there is a leak. The leak could be in the radiator, one of the hoses that are in the system or a head gasket.

No leaks and no pressure drop that part is OK.

Next the tester is huged onto the radiator cap. If the cap releases pressure to soon = bad cap. If it doesn't release until the pressure exceeds the cap capacity = bad cap.

Knowing what to look for under the hood helps.

With the engine COLD and NOT RUNNING find the radiator cap, unhug it and look at the coolant level. If it's full and reasonably clear or the color of the anti freeze/coolant obviously there are no leaks and no apparent problems.

If the level is low and the radiator overflow bottle has a significant amount of coolant in it there is a problem. Testing for that problem is what those steps were about.

The only advice I'd offer is if the cooling system test shows no leaks and there has been a loss of coolant then testing the engine for a blown head gasket would pay off.

A blown head gasket can cost some major $$$$$ to repair. Ask before OK'ing that kind of repair on an older car. It might be cheaper to trade in the car.

Basically anyone that has ever used a pressure cooker to cook with can understand the concept of a car cooling system. Water under pressure will take a higher heat to boil. Taking the weight that has differant pressure numbers on it off a pressure cooker lid instantly produces steam.

Same applies to a car cooling system. The radiator cap keeps the coolant from boiling as long as there is no leak or added pressure from a blown head gasket. Just like taking the weight off the pressure cooker lid

Years ago a blocked radiator would be more of a concern. That test was called a flow test. That problem is rare now but a good mechanic would look for that as a problem before doing anything else.

I know all that doesn't help your check book Cherie, I just wish the mechanic would have taken the time to explain to you  & show why you needed a radiator.

Maybe though it might get someone else to question why a repair is needed and ask to be shown.

Cherie;
Sounds a little fishy.... maybe you should have gotten a 2nd opinion...  Don't you just hate car trouble.... the only thing just about as bad is computer trouble... lol 

Thank you Bob and Jim
You know ... I asked some work colleagues and they said it would have been disastrous if I DID have a problem and my engine was cooked half way to Cairns or a long trip.  The mechanic had said to me he would not let me drive it anywhere ...not even 6 inches because of the threat.  So I guess I have to believe him.  He put a non genuine one in which was half the price but it was still exey.  C'est la vie.  I guess I need to think about saying goodbye to my little celica soon ... but then that is more expensive.  I have never kept a car beyond 3 years before but of course .. my life has completely changed and the budget just doesn't allow it.  Hope you guys stick around .. because I am SURE I will be needing some good mechanical advice in the future.  Ta xx

Cherie, you just reminded me and I don't know how I could have forgotten that my first (that was bought by me) was a canary yellow Celica sports. I loved that car and sold it when I followed my partner (to become my husband) to Koolan Island.
I said in my last entry that the Magna was 'my' first car, but it wasn't...

Second opinion is always good, but if you have used the mechanic before and trusted him that is fine. I've been ripped off by a guy who put in a new motor... geez..... the mess and time consuming comings and goings that cost me - but hey that was then and this is now.

I wonder if the Universe has a lesson to teach us about vehicles... cars and men.... I wonder which way they would put it - probably women and cars..... ^__^

thats too bad cherie, i think he got to you. i've had my honda ten years and never had the radiator cap off and it is plastic also, i think he got ya because he could,,my motto with cars is,,if it ain't broke don't fix it, smiles

plastic,  thats the problem these days,  i once had a toyota starlet , which developed  a rad leak . the  dealer wanted , £200  to replace <<as it had to be imported at the time > got it fixed  for £30    by getting a new core fitted  ,  cant seem to do that enymore  ,,,

Hi Cheirie,

Bad luck about the radiator, but I wouldn't replace you nice looking car, I be replacing my mechanic. It just sounded too buttery to me, I found the longer you keep the same mechanic looking after your car the more they want to make from you.
Gee the shock of that and then the shock of seeing howmany are on a beach in China, not good hope you had a good cuppa after it all.
Take care
Cheers
Toby

Yes, I can remember when the radiator did not have to be 'pressure tested' and, like you, I am at a loss as to why they would want to test it when everything seemed all right to you.

When I was a young man, I worked for a company called T.V.R. The sports car was made out of glass fibre.  I guess I should know all about cars but the truth is that so much has changed, since I worked on cars, that I would not know where to start if things went wrong.

The problem is, as I see it, leaving our cars in the hands of the garage owners is like leaving our buildings to a builder; they seem to be able to do what they want and have a charging system that seems to be over the top.

Sorry to here you had to 'fork out' money for something that was beyond your control.

By for now,

John.

Hola Cherie,  thank you for your kind comment on my vacation blog, yes I am very proud of my daughter, and thank you.  Sweets

Oh, my friend you are missing out on life, to be in the snowy wonderland is so beautiful, you must add it to your to do list that is for sure.

Yes counting down the weeks and days now till I get on the plane home for christmas, sunshine and Perth's lovely beaches. 

hope your having a great week also. Take care