How Much Does It Cost to Repair a Car Radiator?

When your vehicle engine is running, it can easily reach temperatures of more than 3,600 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures that hot can cause your engine to overheat, expand and crack, rendering it useless. To avoid that nightmare scenario, your car's radiator cools the engine, keeping its temperature low enough that it can run for hours at a time.

Car radiators are essential, and problems with your car's radiator need to be addressed promptly. Continue reading to learn more about common radiator problems and the price you can expect to pay to have them fixed, or to replace your car's radiator completely.

What does a car radiator do?

The radiator is a critical part of your car's cooling system, which keeps the engine from overheating. To lower the engine temperature, coolant flows through a system known as the cooling jacket. As it flows around the engine, the coolant absorbs the engine's heat. Then, the now-warm coolant flows to the radiator, where it's chilled and pumped out again to absorb more heat from the engine.

All internal combustion engines use a system like this. If you have a hybrid vehicle, there's another element: a small cooling system for the electric engine that splits off the bottom of the radiator. Fully electric vehicles don't have radiators because they don't have any internal combustion engines to cool; they use a different cooling system for the electric components.

How long do car radiators last?

Radiators usually last for about 80,000 miles. However, the life span of radiators can vary greatly, so look for signs of a failing radiator, including an engine that's running hot or leaking coolant.

Signs your car may need a new radiator

Since radiators are so important to your vehicle, it's usually easy to know when they're not working well. The signs of a failing radiator that needs replacement or repair include:

• An overheating engine. You might notice your temperature gauge on the dashboard is too high, see a

  dashboard warning light

  or smell burning.
• Leaking coolant. A puddle of colored liquid under your car—often pink, green or orange—is a sign that your radiator is leaking. Once it springs a leak, the entire system becomes less efficient.

Average cost to replace a car radiator

If you need to replace your radiator, you can expect to spend between $700 and $1,000. You can save on labor costs (about $300) by replacing the radiator yourself if you're experienced with auto DIY jobs. Keep in mind this is a big undertaking that will likely take all day.

Unfortunately, radiators are not typically covered by manufacturer warranties. That's because although radiators are essential, they're not technically part of the powertrain. This is an expense you'll likely have to pay out of pocket.

Factors affecting car radiator replacement cost

The price for replacing your radiator can vary widely. Here's what typically impacts the cost:

• Your vehicle's year, make and model. Luxury and large vehicles are generally more expensive to repair than smaller or less high-end vehicles.
• Radiator material. Radiators are most often made of copper or aluminum. Copper radiators are

  much more expensive

  than aluminum radiators.
• Radiator size and performance. Some people opt to

  upgrade

  their radiator to a large or high-performance model. This can give you more horsepower by cooling the engine and helping it run efficiently, but you'll pay more for an upgraded radiator.
• Where you buy the radiator. A new radiator from your vehicle's manufacturer (OEM parts) will be the most expensive, while a new aftermarket radiator or a used radiator will be more affordable.
• Labor costs. Where you live and the shop you go to will impact labor costs. If you're handy, you can save by replacing the radiator yourself.
• Other damage. If your radiator goes and the engine overheats, you may need other repairs in addition to a new radiator, like a new coolant pump or hoses.

Radiator replacement vs. repair

When your engine overheats or you notice it leaking coolant, you might assume you need to replace your radiator. But that's not always the case. Sometimes, radiators can be repaired, which is usually more cost-efficient than getting a whole new radiator. Plus, you might be able to repair your radiator yourself, saving even more money.
Simple radiator repairs include:

• Plugging small radiator holes with a stop-leak product
• Replacing a cracked radiator cap
• Repairing or replacing cracked or damaged radiator hoses

Copper radiators are usually easier to repair than aluminum radiators. However, they're more expensive to purchase.

How to save money on car radiator replacement

Getting a new radiator is pricey, especially since this is a repair that needs to be done as soon as possible to get you back on the road safely. These tips could save you money on radiator replacement:

• Shop aftermarket parts or use a secondhand radiator.
• Install an aluminum radiator, which is more affordable than (but not as durable as) a copper radiator.
• Call three shops to ask about their labor prices.

  Don't be afraid to ask the mechanic questions.

• Consider DIYing if you have the skills and tools.
• Ask your mechanic about repair rather than replacement options.
• Check your warranty. Although powertrain warranties don't typically cover radiator replacement, a bumper-to-bumper or extended warranty might.

Car radiator maintenance tips

There's a lot of variation in how long radiators last. Taking good care of your radiator and cooling system might make your radiator last longer and could help you delay costly repairs or a replacement. To keep your radiator running, follow these tips:

• Check your coolant. Always use the type of coolant that's recommended in your owner's manual. The manual will also tell you how often to top off your coolant.
• Flush the radiator. Over time, rust and other debris can build up in the radiator and keep it from running well. Flush your radiator at least once a year to remove old coolant and any debris.
• Don't strain the engine. If your engine is working harder, the radiator needs to work harder to cool it. Avoid towing or hauling too much weight or driving aggressively, since this can strain the engine and therefore the radiator.
• Run your car regularly. Sitting isn't good for vehicles or their radiators—although there are

  ways to keep your car healthy when you're driving less.

  Try to drive your car regularly, including about two trips on the highway each month to ensure the cooling system runs well.
• Address any issues early. See your mechanic if you notice a high engine temperature, a burning smell, leaking fluid or other symptoms of a bad radiator.

MySynchrony financing for car radiator replacement

A radiator that's not working well could leave you stranded or cause expensive damage to your engine. Although radiator replacement costs can run between $700 and $1,000, getting a new radiator promptly when you need one can keep your car running and save you money in the long run.

The Synchrony Car Care™ credit card can help you manage costs for emergency car repairs, including radiator replacements. Learn more about the Synchrony Car Care™ credit card and apply today.

READ MORE: Common Car Problems: DIY or Call a Pro?

How much will radiator repair cost at a garage?

The cost of flushing a car radiator will vary depending on whether you do it yourself or employ a mechanic to do the job professionally.

If you do it, you’ll be able to keep costs down and just pay for the new coolant, which should be around $50. If you go to a mechanic, the cost will be around $90 depending on your car make and model.

Replacing a car radiator, however, can set you back over $300-$900. Labour costs involve a mechanic checking for leaks, removing the radiator, a whole system flush and the installation of a new radiator.

With costs this high it may be tempting to ignore the leak while the car is still functioning. But this can have dangerous consequences.

The dangers of leaving a radiator leak

Your car radiator’s primary function is to keep your engine cool, preventing it from overheating. And that means something as “harmless” as a small radiator leak can develop into a serious issue if left untreated.

Problems which can occur from an ignored radiator leak include:

A cracked engine block

The heat and pressure of an overheating engine can also cause the engine block to crack or even melt.

A cracked engine block is an expensive repair that has no quick fix. If an untreated car radiator leak is left to cause this type of damage, you could be over $3,000 out of pocket and off the road for some time.

A blown head gasket

If it’s not treated quickly, a radiator leak can also lead to a blown head gasket.

A blown gasket will allow coolant to enter the car’s cylinders. This will soon lead to severe engine damage, as it prevents the engine from lubricating properly.

An overheated engine

With coolant leaking out of the radiator, there will be restrictions on your vehicle’s ability to regulate its temperature.

An overheated engine will cause the car to become difficult to drive – you’ll experience notable power drops, which could be a big problem on busy roads and highways.

Costs of repairing an overheated engine due to an radiator leak

The costs of repairing an overheated engine caused by ignoring a radiator leak vary from relatively cheap ‘quick-fixes’, to eye-watering engine replacements.

Minor repair costs

Minor repairs triggered by the side effect of a coolant leak will cost less. Heater hose replacement, thermostat replacement and cooling fan wiring repairs will on average come to $100 or less.

Major repair costs

Major repairs and extensive engine work will cost more. Water pump replacement, changing the heater core, car radiator and head gasket replacements can range from $500 – $1,500.

Engine replacement

A badly overheated cylinder will need to be pressure tested and inspected for warping and engine block crack/melt. These issues can lead to a complete engine rebuild and cost several $1,000 to fix.

How to identify a car radiator leak

Ignoring a radiator leak will lead to a costly outcome which can put you and your vehicle at risk. Stay on top of leaks by looking out for common radiator leak symptoms, such as:

• Pools of coolant leak under your car
• A frequently overheating engine
• Coolant levels which drop rapidly

If you notice these symptoms, act upon them quickly with a bottle of K-Seal.

Save on repair costs with our radiator stop leak

Using K-Seal to fix a radiator leak could end up saving you thousands of dollars.

Rather than wait until an item needs replacing, avoid further damage and costs by noticing the signs of a car radiator leak and acting upon them with our radiator stop leak.

With K-Seal, there’s no risk of further overheating. Our scientifically tested blend of chemicals and micro-fibres circulate through your vehicle’s engine, permanently filling holes, leaks and cracks in the radiator or cooling system.

All you need to do is:

1. Find your local supplier of K-Seal.
2. Shake the bottle.
3. Pour this trusted radiator stop leak into the coolant reservoir or radiator.
4. Run the engine to its operating temperature, and go!

Grab your bottle of K-Seal today