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.

 

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