Radiators are covered by manufacturer warranties; so, if your manufacturer’s warranty is still in effect or you purchased an extended auto warranty, your radiator service may be paid for. Just keep in mind that warranty coverage usually only covers defects or malfunctions, not accidental damage or neglect.
Are you interested in learning more about how much does it cost to replace radiator? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
A reviewer on our site paid only $180.62 for a new radiator — without an extended warranty, they would have paid $1,600.
Kelly, a ConsumerAffairs reviewer from Covington, Louisiana, had a faulty radiator that was pouring steam out from under the hood of their SUV, but their extended warranty helped cover the cost.
“The dealer called late Tuesday to inform me it was the water pump and radiator, front brakes and the driver side window that needed to be replaced,” Kelly said. “The brakes and the window was not covered by CarShield, but the water pump and radiator was. I picked up my Highlander from the dealer on Friday morning only having to pay my deductible and for the brakes and window.”
Mark of Maryland also saved on replacement with their warranty: “The deductible was $100 plus some other part that was $80. That was something that the warranty didn't cover. That was it out the door. My radiator went in the truck. They told me it was $1,600 to get repaired and it only cost me $180.62.”
A radiator replacement may not be enough to completely offset the cost of an extended warranty, but it can put you ahead if your vehicle's overheating caused other problems. A service contract may be worth considering if you have doubts about your radiator’s continued health.
» MORE: How much does an extended car warranty cost?
A radiator is the most important component of most vehicles’ cooling systems. It’s generally placed near the front of the engine bay, behind the grille, for optimum airflow.
If you’re not very familiar with cars, just know that your engine creates a lot of heat. In fact, it creates enough heat to damage itself pretty quickly. Your cooling system keeps engine temperatures in check. Here’s how it works:
If your vehicle is stationary, large cooling fans may provide supplementary airflow to help the radiator do its job. As a general rule, the more heavy-duty or high-performance an engine is, the more effective its radiator must be to help keep things cool.
If your car is overheating, the coolant is leaking or sludgy or your heater isn’t working well, you may be dealing with a faulty radiator.
OverheatingThe most obvious sign of a radiator failing is overheating. Since your radiator’s job is cooling your vehicle’s engine, a radiator that isn’t working can lead to excess heat accumulating. Overheating can cause a cascade of other issues, so be careful if you see your engine temperature rising.
Leaking or low coolantIf you notice a pool of green, red or orange fluid under your vehicle, then your radiator may be in trouble. Leaking coolant doesn’t necessarily mean the radiator is broken, but it should be looked at by a professional. In addition to a visible leak, you may also notice that the coolant levels are low in your reservoir.
Sludgy buildupThe coolant in your radiator should be bright red, yellow or green. If you notice a rusty color, or the coolant looks thick and milkshake-like, you may have a failing radiator. This color occurs when buildup and debris accumulate over a long period of time.
Heater not functioning properlyYour vehicle's climate control system is tied to the temperature regulation of your engine. In your heater, air passes over a core that's filled with the hot coolant; so, if your radiator is blocked or no coolant is getting to the radiator, the heater will not function properly.
If your radiator has too much damage to repair, you may have to replace the whole unit. Radiators are generally expensive, and they can get even more expensive for larger trucks or high-performance vehicles that require more cooling capacity. The quotes we received had parts ranging from about 50% to 60% of the total cost, but you may pay more or less depending on your vehicle.
Vehicle
Average parts cost
Average labor cost
Average total cost
2017 Honda Civic $370 (48.37%) $395 (51.63%) $765 2017 Ford F-150 $1,084 (61.7%) $673 (38.3%) $1,757 2019 BMW 740i $1,086 (59.47%) $740 (40.53%) $1,826If you’re in a financial pinch, it’s worth asking your mechanic (or getting a second opinion) to see if repairing your existing radiator is an option. It could save you a lot of money.
We asked the same mechanics who provided the quotes above how much they would charge to fix a radiator hose in our sample vehicles, and the results ranged from $286 to $725.
Radiators are generally covered by bumper-to-bumper warranties but not powertrain warranties. So, if your factory warranty is still in effect or you purchased an extended auto warranty, your radiator service may be paid for.
For more information, please visit Aftermarket Car Radiators For Sale.
They told me it was $1,600 to get repaired and it only cost me $180.62.”— Mark, a ConsumerAffairs reviewer from Maryland
Kelly from Louisiana had a faulty cooling system that was pouring steam out from under the hood of their SUV, but their extended warranty helped cover the cost.
“The dealer called late Tuesday to inform me it was the water pump and radiator, front brakes and the driver side window that needed to be replaced,” Kelly said. “The brakes and the window was not covered by CarShield, but the water pump and radiator was. I picked up my Highlander from the dealer on Friday morning only having to pay my deductible and for the brakes and window.”
Mark in Maryland also saved on a radiator replacement with their warranty: “The deductible was $100 plus some other part that was $80. That was something that the warranty didn't cover. That was it out the door. My radiator went in the truck. They told me it was $1,600 to get repaired and it only cost me $180.62.”
A radiator replacement may not be enough to completely offset the cost of an extended warranty, but you could find yourself ahead financially if your vehicle's overheating caused other covered problems, like warping your engine block. Just keep in mind that warranty coverage usually only covers defects or malfunctions, not accidental damage or neglect.
» MORE: What does a car warranty cover?
Quick and easy. Find an auto warranty partner now.
ZIP CodeRadiators help keep engines cool by allowing outside air to cool down hot engine coolant. As coolant flows through a radiator, tiny metal fins on the radiator dissipate the heat with the help of airflow from movement down the road or from radiator fans. The coolant then returns to the engine to absorb more heat, and the cycle continues.
What is a radiator’s life span?Properly maintained radiators should have no problem lasting eight to 15 years.
How much does radiator maintenance cost?Kelley Blue Book suggests flushing the coolant every two years or 30,000 miles. The service reportedly costs between $139 and $209, on average.
Replacing a radiator can be an expensive proposition, especially for people who find themselves outside of warranty coverage. However, repairs are usually far cheaper. Whatever the case, it’s important to get your radiator fixed sooner rather than later — an overheating engine can put you in jeopardy of an even bigger bill.
If you need assistance paying for a radiator replacement, a personal loan can be a huge help, and an extended auto warranty can provide some serious peace of mind and help cover future expenses.
Did you find this article helpful?
|Share this article
A comprehensive inspection of the entire cooling system will be performed, including the water pump, heater hoses, cooling fans, and thermostat. With the engine off, the technician may perform a pressure test to ensure the cooling system is sealed. Radiator hoses will be inspected and should be replaced if old or leaking. Brittle or oil soaked hoses will fail after radiator replacement, necessitating additional repairs. If the engine has overheated the shop will inspect for signs of engine damage. Modern engines commonly have composite (plastic) parts such as intake manifolds and thermostat housings that can warp from engine overheating. These parts, along with the head gasket, should be checked for leakage.
To replace the Radiator, the technician will drain the coolant from the cooling system and remove the Radiator and radiator hoses from the vehicle. This may also require removal of plastic shrouds and other engine bay cladding to reach the part. Where applicable, the cooling fan switch and electric cooling fan assemblies are transferred to the new Radiator. Once the new Radiator is installed, the cooling system is refilled with fresh coolant and the system is bled of any air, then rechecked to ensure all leaks have been fixed.
The coolant should be refreshed according to manufacturer maintenance recommendation, with the correct coolant type. If the repair is being performed by a shop, we recommend asking if the cooling system was pressure tested as part of the diagnosis. Also ask if the radiator was determined to be clogged or leaking. Find out why it failed (Separation of plastic end tank? Damaged fins?). Find out if there were any resulting damages from overheating, or if other parts like belts, hoses, or the thermostat should be replaced at the same time. You can also ask to see the old parts.
First and foremost, check that the Radiator or Coolant Reservoir are filled to the correct level of coolant! A low coolant level will continue to cause issues even after suspected parts are replaced. A proper diagnosis of any cooling system issues should be performed, including a pressure test to check for leaks. A stuck thermostat, leaking head gasket, or even a failed radiator cap could cause an overheating issue. Depending on the age and condition of the cooling system, related or conveniently located parts should be replaced at the same time. Hoses, fan clutches, thermostats and thermostat housings, and any other component that requires draining the cooling system to service and are near their end-of-service life should be replaced. Also, refrain from using any “leak stopper” products in your cooling system. While they may appear to save money in the short term, their ability to stop leaks will also eventually clog and stop circulation in the cooling system. This could affect the radiator, heater core, and engine coolant passages. This clogging will cause the engine to overheat from insufficient coolant circulation, and can be extremely costly and difficult to fix.
Repairing your own car is an extremely rewarding process that can also save you money. But before you dive in, it’s important to be sure the issue has been properly diagnosed. Seemingly obvious symptoms can lead the inexperienced down a rabbit hole of replacing parts that don’t fix the problem. Proper diagnosis can save more money than guessing at what’s broken! If you're unsure you have the right tools or experience to diagnose a problem, consider reaching out to a RepairPal Certified Shop. The vast majority of Radiators only require simple tools to replace. However, the procedures vary wildly from car to car. Before ordering parts or attempting this repair yourself, look online for guides on how to replace the Radiator in your specific vehicle. Some will require removal of the front bumper, or significant disassembly of the front end of the vehicle in order to extract the Radiator. Special procedures may also be required to fill the coolant and bleed the air out of the Cooling System.
The company is the world’s best The Difference Between Aftermarket Radiators And OEM Radiators supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.