'01 LX 2.0 coolant leaking. plus a little deer damage
 

Hey folks,

I've got a 2001 LX 2.0. I've had it 24 months and its at 25k miles.

In January one day I popped the hood to add wiper fluid and noticed the coolant level in the reserve tank was dry. I added some more, but noticed over the next few days that the levek was dropping . I took it to a local place (not my crappy dealer - long story) that tested the coolant system. They told me the only evidence of a leak they saw was from the coolant pump's weap hole, which meant that the pump was on its way out. They told me the leak wan't bad and that I definetly had some time on it, if I wanted to wait.

So the next night I'm driving home minding my own buisness when a small deer decides to hop out of a ditch and sideswipe me. The deer damaged my right fender. Nothing major, but a bit ugly. I was really lucky that it wasn't a bigger deer.

Evidently the deer had no insurance, cause it ran away :) and I decided not to claim it with mine given that the damage was light and limited to just the fender. Plus, I can't afford another huge rate increase.

First things first, If I take the car into the dealer this way, they are going to say the deer busted my coolant pump aren't they?

Second, how much do you guys thing a fender replacement like this should cost me? I'm in the chicagoland area, NW indiana specifically. If the region matter for labor costs.

Here is a pic of the damage: I popped the bumper out, its in fine shape.

http://johnmatney.com/old/whokilledbambi.jpeg

Mine Rad and a Co-workers rad were leaking! Bad bunch of rads I think! Mines a 01 and his is a 00 and both started leaking ~40 000kms (25 000 miles). Wow, is this a coinkidink or am I imagining that we all had around 25 000miles when this happened. Anyways, its covered under waranty and you won't need a coolant change as the rad is replaced and all fluid is out and replaced. :)

Anyways back to the 25000miles thing!! Very interesting!

Who else had coolant leaks starting around this mileage? :(

oh man you let the deer get away!!!!! i woulda finished the job and had me a great dinner for a week! :) Are your wheels growing hair or did the little dude leave some evidence behind. Maybe you can get a sketch artist and description out and i'll make sure to plow bambie when i see him :mach: :bonk: