My van overheated outside Jerome on a Sunday night, June 11. I get the oil change regularly and fluids checked. Mixed feelings about leaving Jerome with a non-working vehicle after 2 nights of motels I couldn't afford but mostly due to being stuck with 2 kids by myself and more unhappy with 1-800 radiator who won't give a refund for an installed radiator (about $110 total for that part) that was never actually used because I left town and didn't have an objective person there to help me have clarity. Apparently the head gasket had blown. The first night/morning we at least had an indoor pool at the "fancy" comfort inn lol so the kids were happy they had a brief staycation. It took until almost 11 am Monday for me to research and ask for recommendations and call around to find a place with availability. Lots of places were booked solid for a couple days. Got the old previously-reliable 1997 Honda Odyssey towed over to Ryan's on Monday the 12th. They called 7 or so places apparently to finally find a radiator but the quickest one could be there was the next day via 1-800- radiator. Tuesday morning they replaced the clearly broken radiator and the unseen thermostat for about $250 total parts and labor. Water outlet gasket $6 Radiator $110.65 Radiator cap $10.10 Thermostat gaskets $8.05 Thermostat $10.45 Green 50/50 antifreeze 1 gallon $12.95 diagnostic/repair time $80 Sales tax $9.49 Total $247.70 The van started back up initially after "repair" and went a short distance apparently for a test drive but we could see there was a little fluid coming off the vehicle near the radiator, weren't sure if it was dripping from the frame as everything had been rinsed off or if from the radiator. The guy went to to start old Betsy back up and the white smoke and horrible noises happened. I didn't have clarity about maybe I should have them take off the radiator now (and they'd charge me more for the labor to do that of course). I still had some vague idea I was going to fix a 20-year-old vehicle with about 275,000 miles on it. I don't know why! As soon as I got out of our friend's vehicle 150 miles away in Nampa I had the sudden clarity. Too late. Of course Ryan's never said it's not worth it either or encourage me to charge me less to remove the radiator or anything. Maybe $100 is nothing to them. I'm a single mom. $100 is a big deal to me. They had an appearance of trying to help (we hung out in the tiny waiting room for hours and mostly it seemed like it was no big deal) and in some ways they went the extra mile... the receptionist took me up the street in her car to pay for the tow dolly (and she waited which always takes a lot longer than it should, it seems), so when my friend showed up from Nampa to tow us after hours we'd be able to get it and go. But she later berated me like I'm so ungrateful because I'm unhappy that the radiator "can't" be returned and they gave me a break and charged me only an hour labor. Just another number as long as they get paid and I'm gone? I don't know. Be careful but you have to with all mechanics unfortunately. I don't think I would return if they were the only option. I might stop and say hi and wish the best but I don't think I'd pay for their services again. I did like the fact that it seemed that there was a close-knit group of guys working there and the mechanics genuinely seemed to care, maybe more than the owner or receptionist. I wish them all only the best honestly. I'm still looking for a vehicle as of 15 July 2017. I have a limited income and can't afford a car payment so I have to get something reliable with what I've saved up, mostly what was saved while I was still married when finances were much better and we were able and willing to live beneath our means. Thank God for the bro in Christ who came and got us in Jerome and for his wife who knows I'm not a threat! Thank God for my sis in Christ who's lent me her truck cuz she's been driving her motorcycle since it gets much better gas mileage! Thank God for the other sis who was investigating coming to get us since she has experience towing horses and stuff and for another who talked to her mom who lives in Jerome, and thank God for the mom who was willing to let us stay in her camp trailer if we had stayed in Jerome any longer. And we're not LDS! We have been part of the Treasure Valley Church of Christ in the Boise area. People aren't perfect but are sincerely honest about their sins and need for Jesus and are clearly following in his steps the best they can with the strength and grace which God supplies. God bless you all and may God bless Ryan's repair. read more