Need a radiator and why I'll never go to the dealership for parts

my mechanic said I needed a reservoir. Bought it and then he did a pressure test and saw that my upper tank is cracked.

Told me to get OWM radiator from the dealer. Dealer said three weeks before they can get one from Volvo.

Dealership called me back and they can sell me a new aftermarket for $1200. Where's it coming from? Turns out it's a place my mechanic told me to call. Same radiator for $800. That's a hell of a mark up Volvo shop.

Installed it's going to run me @ $1300.

And so it begins...

 

I was surprised the dealer couldn't get a Volvo radiator for three weeks. That's what the mechanic told me to get.

Ive been working the truck with the leak for a solid week. I went from putting in a half gallon coolant to a gallon and a half during that week.

Doing that for another week just isn't an option. My Monday runs total about 250 miles; half empty. I'm off dispatch Tuesday. I'm running out to buy the part from a third party vendor tomorrow. And Tuesday will get it installed.

I'll push through Monday with six gallon jugs in my truck and hope for the best.

 

Thanks. It won't muck anything up with just water?

 

How about 75% water, 25 coolant to save money?