You mechanic looks like inexperienced fella. With 1K, i would have spent it on radiator service (take out/ flush/ leak test/ welding if leak), simple radiator hose check, dissasemble hose, plug 1 end of hose, pump some air inside and put in water bucket check for leaks. Test hose for brittle mesh by pressing it. Good ones rebound. Hardend ones have cracking noise.

Coolant should have left colored traces at gaskets and water jackets if there are leaks.

If all those cannot work, assume the worse is you have warped block or head caused by overheating and rapid cooling. Can either skim to make them flat again and replace gaskets.

I'm, not mechanic. But like to hang out at my mechanics place and see how he solves problems and share it here once in a while.

Youtube have a lot of DIY check for leaks and overheating problems.

This post has been edited by netmatrix: Jan 2 2014, 07:22 PM