So, sell it to Carmax or trade it in to stick someone else unsuspecting with your problem???

 

By all means someone can do a cylinder leak down test, compression test, oil analysis, or tear the engine down looking for possible damage or at the very least disclose that the engine was over heated when trading it in, nothing wrong with that.

But nobody is obligated to hold on to a car if they feel it can't be trusted to be reliable any more.

 

$3K?
[censored]
Dealerships are bad, but I think the franchise auto repair shops are worse.

And, yes, advise your other sis to *at least* check the condition of the housing and monitor it and the coolant level frequently.

 

Take it from someone who learned the hard way, do not let another sunrise set before you replace that plastic thermostat housing. I had one crack, lose the coolant, and the engine ran hot, destroying the internals. A rebuilt engine later it’s back on the road, but like the TV ad said about oil filters back in the 70’s, ‘pay me now or pay me later.’

 

I don't trust the plastic T-stat Pipe at all.
Replaced mine when I bought the car and 3 years later it already feels like it's dried out brittle.
Really thinking they may not be safe more than 3 years or so in hot climates from the condition of mine already...

-> Thank you for reminding me as I will be ordering a new OEM from bellsouthlexus on ebay before I travel for the holidays.