How much does a radiator replacement cost in 2024?
A typical radiator replacement cost in the UK is around £101 - £362.
Depending on your car brand, model and engine, and whether you live in a big city or a small one, the price of a radiator replacement on your vehicle can be higher or lower.
| Car model | Fixter price range |
|---|---|
| Radiator replacement for Ford Fiesta | £151 - £238 |
| Radiator replacement for Volkswagen Polo | £151 - £238 |
| Radiator replacement for Vauxhall Corsa | £115 - £181 |
| Radiator replacement for BMW 3 Series | £131 - £206 |
| Radiator replacement for Audi A4 | £187 - £294 |
| Radiator replacement for Mercedes A Class | £217 - £341 |
| Radiator replacement for Peugeot 208 | £101 - £158 |
| Radiator replacement for Nissan Qashqai | £187 - £294 |
| Radiator replacement for Renault Captur | £230 - £362 |
| Radiator replacement for Toyota Yaris | £151 - £238 |
| Radiator replacement for Mini Mini | £194 - £305 |
What does a car radiator do?
When engines are operating, they produce a lot of heat. The car circulates coolant, a fluid that absorbs heat and transfers it away from the engine, to prevent overheating. The engine's heat is transferred by this fluid to the car's radiator, which works hard to force air over the liquid to cool it and exchange the heat it contains with outside air.
What is a car radiator made up of?
The car's radiator has several components that work together to release heat from the engine, such as:
The radiator core of an automobile: It is made out of a big metal block with tiny metal fins on it, which lets the cooling liquid release heat into the air outside the radiator.
The pressure cap on the radiator: There is constant high pressure in the coolant system. By using a spring to generate pressures of up to 20 PSI, the radiator's pressure cap aids in the creation of pressure. You run the risk of suffering serious burns if you attempt to remove the pressure cap yourself.
The intake and outflow tanks of the radiators: The cooling liquid from heated engine parts is transferred into the radiator by the inlet and output tanks of the automobile radiator.
How often should you replace your car radiator?
If properly maintained, a radiator should last eight to ten years at the very least. To keep your car safe to drive, you might occasionally need to replace the radiator, even with routine maintenance.
What are the symptoms of a malfunctioning car radiator?
Below are the top 5 symptoms that could indicate you need to replace your vehicle radiator:
The 'Check Engine' warning light is on.
There are leaks on the radiator (or even around it).
Your engine is overheating, which means it’s running at a higher temperature than usual.
You notice smoke from a white exhaust.
The coolant reservoir is discovered to be low.
Common problems with car radiators
Car radiator overheating
A car will overheat if the radiator is not operating at peak efficiency. Steam coming from beneath the hood or an indicator light on the temperature monitor will indicate this. Cars work best in the temperature range of 90 to 105 degrees Celsius, so if it's above this, get your car's radiator examined to prevent damage.
Car radiator leaking
Leaky hoses are the most common source of leakage, but the radiator itself can also leak, which is a more serious issue that would need to be replaced.
The most frequent reason for a radiator leak is internal radiator rust. Over time, rust and muck buildup in hoses, connectors, and radiators can cause holes in the radiator.
Buildup of mineral deposits
Another typical issue with radiators is the accumulation of mineral deposits. It becomes more difficult for the radiator to transfer the right amount of coolant to the engine when there are mineral deposits, byproducts, debris, and other obstructive buildups in it.
Your mechanic will examine inside the radiator for muck buildup if your car is overheating and there are no leaks, rust issues, or detached hoses. A flush is frequently advised by the mechanic to remove sludge or corrosion from your radiator system.
Bad water pump or thermostat
Because of the role the radiator plays in the engine coolant system, a malfunctioning radiator may occasionally be the result of an issue with another engine component. For instance, if the water pump breaks, the system won't have the pressure needed to disperse the coolant, and if the thermostat is off, the system won't know when to discharge the fluid into the radiator. In the event that either of these occurs, the radiator will not function as intended. In this case, a mechanic will swap out the malfunctioning water pump or thermostat.
What happens when Fixter carry out a radiator replacement service on your car?
Our certified mechanics from one of our partner garages will:
Inspect the radiator and the parts around it for any potential leaks.
Perform a pressure test on the cooling system.
Replace the radiator (if necessary) and advise you if any other parts need to be replaced as well.
