Car radiator repair

It is the job of the car radiator to help cool down the engine, via the coolant. 

A lot of heat is created by engines whilst they are running. To reduce overheating within the engine, the car pumps coolant through the entire engine, a fluid that receives heat and carries it away from the engine. 

The coolant takes the heat created by the engine and moves it to the car radiator which then works hard to blow air across the liquid, making it cooler and exchanging the heat it brings with the air from outside of the car. 

Car radiator repair and replacement average costs and prices

Is your car radiator leaking? Need sealant, or a radiator flush? Our local specialists will help. The cost of a car radiator repair or replacement can vary depending on your car make and model. The average cost of repairing a car radiator with WhoCanFixMyCar is around £152.30.

Which car radiator repair service do you need?

A radiator is a vital part of the car because it is the main way your engine dispels heat during operation. A failing radiator may cause significant engine damage caused by allowing it to overheat.

What is a car radiator made up from?

The car’s radiator is made from numerous parts, working together to vent heat from the engine, these parts include: The car radiator core: This is the biggest part of the radiator, and it is responsible for its main function. It consists of a large metal block with little metal fins that allows the coolant to vent heat to the surrounding air outside of the radiator. The hot air is removed via the grill at the front of your car. A radiator can contain one-core, two-core or even three-core. The radiator pressure cap: The coolant system is always under high pressure. The pressure cap of the radiator helps to create the pressure by using spring to create pressures of up to 20 PSI. Never remove the pressure cap yourself, as you could end up with severe burns. The radiator outlet and inlet tanks: The job of the inlet and outlet tank for the car radiator is to transport coolant from hot areas of the engine into the radiator. Transmission cooler: In most cars, the same coolant that cools down the engine is used to cool your transmission too. Sometimes there is a separate radiator to cool down your transmission fluid, but it is much more common to see a single radiator for both these functions.

Top warning signs that your car radiator needs to be checked

Here are warning signs that your car radiator may need repairing:

• A rising dashboard engine temperature gauge

• White steam pouring out from underneath the hood of your vehicle

• If you find that the coolant reservoir is low

• Coolant is generally bright green in color and has a very sweet smell. If you notice a fluid that has these characteristics dripping from your vehicle it is critical to visit the garage as soon as possible.

• White exhaust smoke

Common car radiator problems

Car radiator overheating

When the radiator is not working efficiently – the car will overheat. This will be apparent through steam rising from under the hood, or the temperature gauge telling you that the engine is heating up too much. Cars operate best around 90c to 105c so to avoid damage, get your car’s radiator checked if the temperature shows above this.

Car radiator leaking

The most widespread cause of radiator leaks is a leaky hose, but you can have leaks in the radiator itself, too, which can be a larger problem and may require you get the radiator replaced. If the hose degrades or becomes loose, it may allow coolant to escape the system, which will lead to overheating within the engine. If you notice green coolant under your car, then it is a clear sign that your radiator is leaking, and you need to take it to a garage.

Build-up of mineral deposits

One more common radiator problem is a build-up of mineral deposits. Mineral deposits, by-products, debris, and other obstructive build-up in your radiator make it harder for the radiator to flow the proper amount of coolant to the engine. If your car is overheating or getting hot too quickly and there is no rust problem, leaks or detaching of the hoses, the mechanic will check inside the radiator for gunk build-up. The mechanic will often recommend a coolant flush to get rid of rust or gunk from your radiator system.

Bad water pump or thermostat

The radiator plays a function that relates to the whole coolant system, which is why it can sometimes be an issue with another engine part that is causing the radiator to malfunction. For example, if the thermostat is down, the system won’t know when to release the fluid into the radiator, and if the water pump fails, then the system will not have the pressure necessary to distribute the coolant. If either of these things happens, the radiator will not work as designed. A mechanic will replace a faulty thermostat or water pump in this scenario.

Overheating of the radiator when idling

An overheated radiator or engine is generally a sign of a faulty cooling system. But if you are noticing overheating when you are in stand-still traffic then the usual culprit is a faulty radiator fan. When the fan of the radiator breaks, idle overheating is a side-effect. The only solution to this problem is a replacement car radiator.

Find car radiator repair and replacement garages near you

Are you facing radiator problems with your car? Maybe you are finding your car is overheating? Or you are noticing smoke coming out from under the hood? We can help you find local car radiator repair garages so they can diagnose and repair the car radiator to get it cooling down your engine efficiently. We work with almost 15,569 garages and have plenty of car radiator specialists on our site to deal with any problems arising with your vehicle.