Is 550 for replacing radiator expensive?

Recently my 1999 honda accord 4 cyl. Overheated and I took it to a shop to get it checked out. I had earlier taken it to pepboys for a coolant check and they diagnosed me with a blown head gasket. But when I took it to a shop, the mechanic pressure checked my engine and said that it was a radiator problem. When I drive my car however, the temperature and everything looks fine, even if i drive it for about 10 miles.

Anyhow, the mechanic is charging 550 for the repair of my radiator. Is that a lot? He also said that the biggest culprit of the problem is the radiator cap which is like 10 dollars. If my car overheated would I have a faulty radiator?

The things he told me to replace: radiator cap, thermostat, radiator, and hoses.

The price quoted is fair for all parts and labor you listed. Remember to include diagnosis time and equipment to perform it in that price.

It COULD be that all it needs is a new cap and/or thermostat, and the mechanic is replacing the radiator to make money.

That's quite common in the industry. That's why you should always get several opinions before going ahead with a repair.

Then, when you find a guy that's honest, you stick with them for life.

Ask him to explain WHY the radiator needs to be replaced. Is it plugged up or leaking? Or what.

If that is the cost of radiator, hoses, and labor, its about right.

Its possible to have a damaged or clogged radiator. It sounds like both these companies are stabbing in the dark though. A head gasket you would be losing coolant even at a small rate you may only be losing a 1/4-1/2 gallon a week or longer for a small leak. When you start adding gallons per week it is BAD. As far as the cost to replace the items it seems fair if he uses all OEM parts from Honda. To replace the radiator in 2010 Honda Odyssey from the dealer was nearly 900. Thats just the radiator. I say they are stabbing in the dark because this is a basic I don't know what's wrong solution while you replace the radiator might as well the thermostat and the hoses. A radiator cap would cause the system to lose pressure it that is the case go over to pep boys and buy a cap they are like ten bucks. Without further information it may also be a water pump starting to go bad or you are losing coolant due to a small leak in a head gasket once the coolant is refilled its fine for a bit. To many unknowns here but for a radiator and all that other stuff yeah the price is ok. I think though he knows it won't actually fix the true issue and in a few months you will be back for larger repairs.