Lower Radiator Hose Issue After Cooling System Flush

tmputman · #1 (**permalink**) 08-27-09, 10:03 AM

A month ago my service dealer (a Cadillac dealer) recommended and performed the 60000 service on my 05 STS V8. Included in this service was a cooling system flush. This past weekend the car overheated while driving home. I had it towed back to the same service dealer who said the lower radiator hose had disconnected. My question, is the lower radiator hose disconnected to perform the cooling system flush? Would just like to know whether or not I should raise a question with the service dealer as to whether or not they may have not reconnected the hose properly after the cooling flush. Thank you.

C&C · #2 (**permalink**) 08-27-09, 01:15 PM

According to the Service Manual, the procedure for draining the raditor is by draincock at the bottom of the radiator itself. That doesn't mean the technician didn't just pop off the lower radiator hose but according to procedure that isn't the way stipulated.

tmputman · #3 (**permalink**) 08-29-09, 08:50 AM

Thank you for your response!

z06bigbird · #4 (**permalink**) 08-29-09, 11:13 PM

Sabotage??

I have seen that when the repair business is slow.

SleeprLegend · #5 (**permalink**) 08-31-09, 06:28 PM

I wouldn't say Sabotage, but that dealer should take responsibility. I can almost guarantee you that the technician removed the lower hose to do the flush. All it took was the hose not being properly re-attached and you are sitting right where you are. Get the actual technician that did the work in a room with you and the service manager. Hopefully they will do you right. I recently found out that the dealer my grandfather has been using for 30 years gives him great deals on purchases, but screw him in the shop. My STS was in there and we were charged $165 to diagnose a bad window master control switch. The dealer said they didn't even know how long it would take to get the part, and we would have to pay the $165 in labor again to have the new one installed. The new one cost $133. I took the thing in my shop for 10 minutes, and $87 later everything was perfect. I do have a business account with a local dealer's parts department. After this experience I am trying to get my grandfather to either find another Cadillac dealer or switch to Lincoln. He had lunch with the owner of the dealership, and even he admitted that his service department was the weakest part of his dealership. There are tons of GM technicians not working right now. Get some good people in there. You don't spend over $50k on a car for this type of service.

Rant is over.