Let’s be honest with ourselves for a moment. Most of us know absolutely nothing, or at least very little, about the internal workings of our vehicles. But that’s okay – that’s what mechanics are for!
If you find a good mechanic, you can trust that they will give you an honest opinion and an honest price for repair. But let’s be honest again – not all mechanics are honest, and you need to protect yourself. By knowing what average repair costs are for different parts, you can ensure you aren’t getting scammed.
Unfortunately, we don’t have time to talk about every type of vehicle repair. But let’s knock one off our list – the radiator.
What does the Radiator Do?
Before we discuss the costs of the radiator, it’s important that we understand what it is that they do.
The radiator is a part of your engine’s cooling system. Your engine works hard. And when it does, it generates a lot of heat. To prevent your engine from overheating, it requires coolant. This is a type of fluid that takes the heat and carries it away from the engine.
The coolant travels through hoses connected to your radiator, through to the engine to absorb the heat, and then back to the radiator again.
So, in short, your vehicle uses the radiator to help keep the engine cool, preventing it from overheating.
There are three parts to a radiator: the core, the pressure cap, and the outlet and inlet tanks.
The core is the main part of the radiator and is where heat is released and cooled. The cap is what seals the system, and the outlet and inlet tanks are what direct coolant to the radiator.
If anything goes wrong with any of these components, you’ll need to have your radiator repaired to prevent further damage to your vehicle.
How much do Radiator Repairs Cost?
The cost of radiator repairs can vary greatly depending on the make and model of your vehicle, the mechanic you are taking your vehicle to, and the type of repair needed. With that being said, most minor repairs average around $90. Again, this can vary depending on what is wrong and how much your mechanic charges for labour.
If you need to have your radiator replaced, you’re looking at spending substantially more. Replacing a radiator involves labour costs of checking for leaks, radiator removal, system flushing, and new radiator installation. For this reason, complete replacements can run you anywhere from $300-$900.
Do I need to repair my radiator?
Because radiator replacements can be so expensive, a lot of people try to put them off. You should not do this. Failing to repair your radiator can lead to a long list of serious issues.
Not only can it cause your engine to overheat, but if this does happen, it can cause the engine block to melt. If this happens, you can expect to pay a much larger bill, starting at $3000 or more.
Failure to repair radiator issues can also lead to blown head gaskets and other more extensive problems.
How do you know if you have a radiator leak?
There are a few signs that you can watch for that will tell you that you need radiator repairs. If you notice any pools under your vehicle, this could be a sign that you have a radiator leak. You may also need to repair your radiator if you see your coolant levels dropping rapidly or if your engine is frequently overheating.
In conclusion, radiator leaks and issues are common. If you catch them quickly, you’ll be looking at a much smaller bill than if you let them continue and lead to more significant issues.
