(Picture from Pexels)

It’s a crying shame, but nothing lasts forever. This is as much true of car radiators as it is of anything else. 

Whether it cracked in a fender-bender or is old and losing its speed, replacing your radiator is important. You may have noticed the tell-tale rise in engine temperature or the less-subtle clouds of steam erupting from beneath your hood signaling that it’s time to replace your car’s radiator. 

When should I replace my radiator?

Before you decide whether or not your radiator needs replacing, it’s important to understand what a radiator does in the first place. 

What does my car radiator do?

Radiators are an integral part of internal combustion engines. Cars and trucks that run on gasoline or diesel are really just harnessing the power of many very tiny explosions occurring in rapid sequence, and explosions by their very nature generate a lot of heat. The radiator and attached cooling systems function to keep your engine cool while it is operating. 

Haynes puts it like this: “the radiator is, in essence, a heat exchanger”. Coolant flows out of the radiator and into the engine, where it draws out the heat. Then it returns to the radiator, where it enters into the radiator core, which is comprised of hundreds of narrow tubes. 

The air traveling through the vehicle’s grill passes around these tubes and draws the heat out of the coolant, then the coolant returns back to the engine and the cycle starts anew. 

When the radiator does not function properly– either from damage, blockage, or even (not filling it up with coolant properly)--it can spell disaster for the engine. An engine without a working radiator will overheat and may become damaged or even combust if it runs long enough. 

The radiator is located at the front of your vehicle, regardless of make or model. It is typically a largeridged tank that sits directly behind your vehicle’s grill. Coolant flows through the radiator and into the engine, reducing heat and returning to the radiator again to dissipate the heat. 

It is a closed system that needs to be monitored and occasionally flushed and serviced, but refilling a radiator is only a stop-gap measure if there is damage or leaks in your radiator, and will not prevent the need to replace the radiator if it needs replacing.

Symptoms of a radiator that needs to be replaced

There are several symptoms you can keep an eye out for to warn you if your radiator is going bad and needs to be replaced. 

All vehicles manufactured after 1984 are equipped with a temperature gauge or readout on the dash, typically near the displays for speed or the tachometer. A possible sign that your radiator needs to be inspected for replacement is if you see that gauge creeping up into the red zone during normal vehicle operation. That is a sign that your vehicle is overheating, and something is definitely wrong. 

If your vehicle is overheating you should avoid driving it until the problem is diagnosed and fixed. An overheating engine is in danger of severe damage. Aside from the possibility of combustion, it can also cause metal fatigue and damage joints and seals within the engine itself, which may in turn lead to different forms of catastrophic failure. 

Do not drive a vehicle that is overheating until the problem has been diagnosed and fixed. 

Another sign your radiator needs attention is leaking radiator fluid or discolored radiator fluid. If you see a puddle of coolant underneath your vehicle when you pull it out of the garage, that’s a sure sign that something is amiss. It might be just a leak in a coolant hose, but it could also be a sign of damage to the radiator itself. Rust-colored radiator fluid can also be a sign that your radiator is beginning to fail.

A further symptom to watch out for is steam rising from under the hood of the car; this can occur when the radiator leaks coolant onto a heated engine block -- though this is often more a symptom of a leaking hose rather than the radiator itself. Still, it's something to watch out for.

Lastly, if you hear a hissing or bubbling noise coming from your radiator, this can be a sign that something is amiss. This can be a symptom of a hairline crack in the radiator body through which steam or even coolant may be leaking. Left alone, these cracks will eventually widen and increase the size of the leak.

Can I wait to replace my radiator 

Short answer? No.

For the reasons listed above, you should not drive a vehicle with a faulty or damaged radiator. Worst case scenario, you’re looking at engine failure and combustion, which could result in grievous bodily harm or even death. 

If your radiator needs replacing, replace it before attempting to operate the vehicle.

Replacing your radiator 

How much does it cost to replace a radiator?

The answer to this question will vary depending on the make, model, and year of your vehicle. Replacing a radiator in a 1965 Shelby Cobra will, for instance, be considerably more pricey than replacing the radiator in a 2017 Toyota Corolla. 

Also, there is the cost of the coolant to consider – the coolant fluid will have to be drained from the cooling system beforehand and replaced with new fluid once the radiator has been installed. 

According to Consumer Affairs, Depending on the make and model of your vehicle, a replacement radiator will cost anywhere between $700 [CA $959] and $1800 [CA $2,466]. 

The coolant will usually cost around $50 [CA $68.50] to completely replace. It should be mentioned that this cost included both parts and labor for the vehicles Consumer Reports tested in their study. 

How to save on radiator replacement

One of the simplest ways to save on replacement costs is to take your car to a reputable local mechanic, as they almost always charge less for operations like this than a dealership will. This is because the dealer will only work with brand-new parts, and their mechanics are generally paid more on account of being manufacturer-trained. 

The tradeoff is that if you don't have a mechanic you frequent regularly, you may have to put in some legwork to find a local mechanic with a trustworthy reputation.

To that end, we suggest seeking out referrals from people who you trust. Always look for someone with good reviews and a strong local reputation. 

But perhaps the most effective means of saving money on a radiator replacement is to purchase the part yourself from a reputable wholesaler or after-market parts dealer. AutoShack, for instance, specializes in selling quality after-market parts straight to consumers.

Bringing your own part to the mechanic will allow you to save the money they would have charged you for a new part, and may also help guarantee a speedier turnaround.

AutoShack can help you save on repairs you can’t ignore 

Purchasing your replacement radiator from AutoShack is a great way to save on this necessary repair. Purchasing from us may also save you time, as we offer fast, free shipping on most orders (between 2-4 business days in general). See our website for more details. 

If you find yourself in need of a replacement radiator for your vehicle, please feel free to visit our site, select the make and model of your vehicle, and browse our selection of aftermarket parts at your leisure. You may also find this page helpful in helping you select the right part for your vehicle.