Cost To Replace Radiator In Car: A Complete Guide

Your radiator is a part of your car’s cooling mechanism. It allows the heat from the engine to be distributed into the air and prevents the engine from overheating.

The cost to replace a radiator in the car can be high, so it is important that the car is functioning at optimal levels and that the radiator is kept in the best possible condition, and that levels of coolant and water are regularly checked.

When you ask “What does a new radiator cost?”, well, that depends on what type it is, plus the cost of labor to install it makes getting a new radiator a major expense.

What Does a Radiator Do?

A car radiator consists of tubes through which the coolant flows. These are contained between two tanks that hold the coolant and have fins attached to the radiator core that sends the heat into the air and the fins are made of conductive metal.

A new car radiator is ready for assembly.

The Cooling System:

  • The coolant travels around the cylinders picking up heat.
  • Heated coolant enters the radiator through the tubes.
  • The heat is conducted from the tubes to the fins.
  • Heat then goes into the air.
  • The vehicle moves forward and the air is blown over the radiator grille.
  • The coolant then returns to the engine.

How Does a Radiator Work?

Without your radiator, your car wouldn’t work, as the radiator allows the heat from the engine to be taken away and the engine to run at the correct levels, if there is a problem with the radiator the car will probably not run.

The radiator is in the front of the car behind the grille and is attached to a metal frame. It is important to look after your radiator as the cost to replace the radiator in a car is very high.

The cooling process starts with the water pump sending coolant to the engine of the car winding round and round the cylinders, and picking up heat generated by the engine as it goes along, it enters the upper radiator through a hose that runs through the radiator tubes, this then goes into the fins, mentioned earlier, and the heat dissipates into the air.

Plastic is now used in many radiators, however, the tubes and fins are still made of metal with the tanks made of plastic. However, plastic does not respond as well to heat as metal, as it expands and contracts with heating and cooling, and it may crack and cause leaks.

Each layer of tubes in a radiator is known as a row or core. Some radiators have up to four cores. More cores allow more surfaces for the heat to escape from and more efficient cooling.

Aluminum radiators have an increased surface area, without increasing the thickness. Aluminum is extremely strong, and light, being stronger than copper and the tubes are made wider without thickening the walls. Therefore the tubes can support more fins per inch and a two-row radiator in aluminum will cool better than a four-row copper radiator.

The radiator works as part of the overall cooling and relies on other parts to function properly. If you find that the coolant is leaking, it may be time to replace your radiator. Sometimes you may have a faulty hose that is easily replaced, however, it is safer to get the system checked by an expert, who will tell you whether it needs replacing or not.

The Older Radiator

The older radiator was made of copper and brass, as copper is the second-best metal for heat conduction. Silver is the best conductor of heat, but that is irrelevant due to the cost involved.

Copper tanks were efficient at cooling, but are heavy and were used commonly because they could be repaired with solder, making them last longer. However, most of the radiators are no longer copper, but plastic is used.

The Signs of a Broken Radiator

1.     Leaking Coolant

Coolant flows through the system or radiator, and if there is a leak you will notice some on the garage floor underneath the vehicle. If you find this happening visit your mechanic for a definitive diagnosis. He/she will do a pressure test to verify the cause of the leak occurring.

Coolant leaks from the car’s radiator.

If your car is permanently outdoors it is important to check for leaks, then check that there is no puddle on the street where you park, as sometimes damage or a leak can occur without us noticing it.

2.     Overheating of the vehicle

The temperature gauge may be going up as you drive along. This causes the vehicle to overheat and ultimately your car will break down.

As the radiator deteriorates, contaminants discolor the fluid making it look rust in color and ultimately turning to sludge. When this happens the fluid is unable to cool the engine properly. You need to see the mechanic fast, or you could damage your engine.

3.     Low Coolant Levels

You may find that you are frequently refilling the coolant, book a vehicle engine cooling inspection and have the problem diagnosed.

Close up of the line of old cars parked outside.

Many factors determine whether the radiator requires replacing or not and one of these is the age of the car. If the car is old and has been left outside in all weather conditions, the radiator will certainly need replacing.

4.     Sludge

The coolant in your radiator should normally be yellow/green in color. As the radiator deteriorates the coolant turns into sludge that sits in the radiator preventing the cooling process from taking place. If you notice this happening the radiator needs replacing.

Making Radiators Last Longer Checklist

  • Pressure test the cooling system after a repair is carried out, this will tell you if other components are leaking.
  • Remember the cost to replace a radiator in a car is quite high, so get the best out of it.
  • Replace the coolant at regular intervals to increase the life of the radiator, every five years is recommended.
  • Check your radiator and coolant during heat waves. When you use your car for work, you can’t afford to be off the road.
  • In cold, frosty climates make sure that you have the right coolant with antifreeze as you don’t want your radiator to freeze. Coolant is not the same as antifreeze which works to lower the freezing point of the circulating liquid.
  • If the radiator breaks down from the coolant freezing this, in turn, can affect the heating in the car. Once you see winter is on the way, top up the coolant levels so there is enough to keep it circulating without freezing.

Cost of Repairing a Radiator

Radiators can be made from a number of different materials. Each of these has its own advantages, aluminum and plastic are becoming very popular. When you require an installation of a new car radiator it can cost you anywhere between $600 and $900 and a lot of the money is for labor costs.

The cost also depends on the type of vehicle that you have, and a high-end imported car will cost a lot more to replace the radiator than a car made locally. In many cars, the radiator may have an electrical fan located behind it to pull the airflow through while the car is stationary, and this makes the work more complex with extra time needed for labor.

Some mechanical garages specialize totally in radiators and batteries, as they are experts in the area and do nothing else, but most people choose a good all-around mechanic. You want the best for your car!

A simple repair or replacement of a hose or radiator cap is very straightforward and will cost a lot less. When you are experiencing coolant leaks, it is time to replace the radiator. Pre-planning gives your mechanic time to get a new radiator in and your car should still be drivable until the radiator arrives. It may just be a problem with the overflow tank, and the mechanic will be able to check it out for you.

When you do have a new radiator installed, make sure that it is documented in the log book, so that your vehicle’s warranty is maintained.

Tip: You should always choose the best mechanic for the job, as trying to save money on your car is a false economy.

Is It Worth Fixing A Radiator?

Is it worth fixing a radiator and getting the car working again? The simple answer is yes, but it takes a bit of knowledge ahead of time. Then the project is scheduled to get off in no time flat.

Is it worth fixing a radiator? The project should be slated to go ahead in no time flat. The radiator has been touted as a top request for many good reasons. Is it worth fixing a radiator? Many people will realize that the project is a success story.

The reviews might point people in the right direction as well. The other writers have evinced some telling points about the project. The working radiator can be brought back into a like-new condition. The people want to get the radiator model fixed in no time flat. The new reviews have shaped things, so feel free to write a new review too.

How Much Does It Cost For Labor To Install A Radiator?

How much does it cost for labor to install a radiator? That question comes up often and will be answered in due time. Call the office to get a question in the right order. The process to finish the work will take just a little bit of time.

The labor order will be a complete project in the making. But the time may lower the price tag quite a bit. Trust that the team will do good work. The project is slated to begin anew and that is an idea.

The new reviews have been shown to be influential. The influence of the reviews will showcase that project. The process is quick and easy to write a new review. The prices are fixed and people want it to work. Always pay on time and secure the work order for all endeavors. That ought to help the company complete its own task.

Conclusion

Some cars never need new radiators, and keep running for years on the same one. If your car is in a traffic accident this is a common reason for replacing the radiator, and accidents can’t be avoided. So, ask your mechanic for the best recommendations for your type and make of car and get a quote for the radiator and the work to be carried out.

Try to garage your car, especially in extreme weather, and if you can’t, get a car cover for it. Try to remember to check the coolant levels in both summer and winter, and look for leaks.

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About Matthew Webb

Hi, I am Matthew! I am a dedicated car nerd! During the day, I am a journalist, at night I enjoy working on my 2 project cars. I have been a car nerd all my life, and am excited to share my knowledge with you!