99 vw beetle, been overheating for a couple weeks off and on . put coolant in it . well, it was overheating bad and smoked and got real hot. so had it towed . called mecahnic to find out what was wrong and cost? he told me theres 2 fold problem. it could be radiator and thermostat (which was one option 575 cost) or he would not know until after radiator replacement if head gasket blown 2300-2400 so up to me if i wanted to risk radiator and it turns out to be head gasket i would have to pay 2400. needlesstosay , i called told he replaced the radiator but its a blown head gasket . so i have to pay 2400 to get car fixed. is this just messed up and was i just manipulated or am i just paranoid.

It is possible that the head gasket went and took out the radiator due to higher pressure. It is also possible that the radiator went out and the car overheated and took out the head gasket.

That is water under the bridge now. I don't believe that it was a con job, they just charge too high of a rate.

It is certainly too far away for me to fix it.

For what they are charging though, I could buy round trip airline tickets, all of the tools once I get there, rent a car, stay in a motel, eat at fancy restaurants and still do the job and make $25.00 per hour or more.

Shop around a little and you will find a better estimate.

Thanks,

Tim





It is possible that the head gasket went and took out the radiator due to higher pressure. It is also possible that the radiator went out and the car overheated and took out the head gasket.

That is water under the bridge now. I don't believe that it was a con job, they just charge too high of a rate.

It is certainly too far away for me to fix it.

For what they are charging though, I could buy round trip airline tickets, all of the tools once I get there, rent a car, stay in a motel, eat at fancy restaurants and still do the job and make $25.00 per hour or more.

Shop around a little and you will find a better estimate.

Thanks,

Tim