HOW MUCH DOES A RADIATOR COST TO REPLACE?

Your vehicle’s radiator is critical for its reliability and well-being; it will run without one, but not for long. Its main function is to keep coolant temperatures down. While complete radiator failure can have some terrible side effects, replacing the item on its own isn’t terribly difficult or expensive. In the table below we’ve included the msrp (list price) of 5 of our best selling radiators as well as our price for that same part.

The most important thing is to catch the warning signs of pending failure in time, and replace it before it reaches that point. Check your coolant regularly to make sure the level is staying consistent, and still the correct color. ONLY check your coolant when the vehicle is cool and turned off; once it is running, the coolant can get very hot, create a lot of pressure, and the cooling fans may be running as well; all of which present danger. After checking the coolant, start your vehicle and let it get up to normal operating temperature. Some leaks may only be noticeable when the engine is running and the system is pressurized. It’s also important to check your engine oil and automatic transmission fluid as well; many vehicles have an oil and/or transmission cooler integrated into the radiator. If your radiator leaks internally, either one of those fluids can become contaminated, meaning they won’t do their job as well and can cause very expensive damage. This can be avoided by upgrading to an external cooler for those fluids, but if your vehicle has a known reputation for this issue (like some Toyota and Nissan trucks and SUVs), it doesn’t hurt to be a little proactive and treat the radiator like a maintenance item. If you do not see any leaks but your vehicle is still running hotter than it should, it’s possible there is a blockage somewhere within the radiator. You can try flushing it out, but if the normal pressure created by the water pump can’t overcome the clog, a flush will likely not be very effective.

Radiator Options and Part Costs

Some older vehicles may use patchable brass or copper radiators, but for the most part, the only way to repair a faulty radiator is to replace it; especially on modern vehicles, which mainly use plastic in the radiator’s construction. Quality aftermarket radiators for most modern and modern-ish vehicles start around $100. Larger units for heavier-duty applications can run a little more than that, and an OEM replacement will likely be double or more the cost of one from a reputable aftermarket manufacturer. You can also take the time to upgrade to a larger aluminum radiator, but that’s overkill for most vehicles seeing normal use.

Why do labor times vary so much?

Luckily, labor cost on replacing the radiator isn’t very expensive. They’re usually located at the very front of the vehicle and have space around them to better aid in cooling, meaning access isn’t an issue. Even if you’re not terribly confident in your DIY mechanic abilities, replacing your radiator isn’t very difficult with the aid of some instructional videos on YouTube. Since you must drain all the remaining coolant to remove the radiator, this is also an excellent opportunity to replace other wear items like the rubber coolant hoses, radiator cap, plastic expansion tank and thermostat. Make sure you have a receptacle large enough to catch all the coolant you will be draining, not to reuse it, but to ensure it is disposed of properly. Coolant is not at all environmentally-friendly; in addition to the caustic effect it can have on plant life, it also has a sweet smell that can attract animals or even children, which is unfortunate because most antifreeze contains toxic ethylene glycol. You can, of course, avoid this stress if you are unsure by having a trusted mechanic perform the work; on most vehicles, you would be charged for 2-3 hours of labor at most.

Find Your Radiator

Your vehicle’s radiator is a repair that is often feared, but ultimately not terribly expensive or difficult if noticed in time. If you’re still unsure about what’s best for your vehicle, feel free to contact BuyAutoParts for knowledgeable assistance in getting the best cooling system parts for your vehicle. We carry guaranteed exact fit radiators, water pumps and electric cooling fans from known brands like Denso, Delphi, Nissens, Behr/Hella, Koyo, CSF and more. All our parts professionals are here and ready to help!

More Vehicle Specific Estimates & Costs

Some of our top-selling radiators, their compatible vehicles and their approximate costs are listed below. Keep in mind that part condition matters, in some cases we offer an aftermarket new part which meets or exceeds OE quality. The last note to be made about this table is that dealerships tend to sell their radiators at list price or close to it, here at BuyAutoParts.com we offer you more than just the original equipment part, as we have aftermarket new radiators.

If you are a DIYer, you will not incur any labor costs. If you choose a professional for the job, you will need to pay for both the part and labor. Here are the approximate radiator installation costs specific to some automobiles.