The engine of your car creates a lot of heat and to prevent overheating you need a radiator. Antifreeze (also called coolant) is pumped through your engine to absorb the heat it gives off. The heated coolant then moves to the radiator where it meets air from outside, which cools it down again. The coolant then moves back to the engine to absorb more heat. Through this on-going process the car radiator is responsible for regulating the engine’s temperature. This way it avoids overheating in the summer as well as becoming too cold in winter.
The core of the car radiator is a block with small metal fins. The coolant runs through a hose to these fins, allowing for easy airflow directly from outside or via the car radiator fan. The vented heat is expelled through the grill of your car. This whole system functions under high pressure so the coolant doesn't start to boil. The high pressure is maintained thanks to the car radiator cap, which is also called the pressure cap.
To make sure that all parts of your engine can work smoothly, the car radiator is key and you need to make sure that it works perfectly. Overheating can seriously damage your engine and lead to a costly repair.
There are a few problems that can occur with the radiator either due to physical damage or dirty coolant.
Most mechanics will check for radiator leaks when they work on your car’s engine or do an oil change. However, if you see coolant fluid underneath your car, chances are there is already a leak in the radiator. Coolant is sticky and usually green or orange, which makes it easy to distinguish from oil or fuel.
Low coolant levels are another indication of a potential leak. To find the location of a potential leak you will need to flush your radiator. Flushing the radiator also helps to remove any dirt and prolongs your radiator’s life. If you are doing the job yourself, drain all coolant first before flushing the radiator. How to fill water in the car radiator? Easy! Use a hosepipe and flush it until clear water comes out at the bottom. Afterward, you mix the new coolant with water and fill the radiator again.
In general, experts recommend having the coolant replaced every 25,000 to 40,000 miles.
In most cases, you won’t be able to do a car radiator repair for a leak but will have to get a replacement. If the leak is very small you can use a car radiator sealant to do a temporary fix. Either way, we recommend having your garage repair the radiator or replace it if the leak is too big.
Many clients ask: where can I get car radiator repairs near me? If you are requesting quotes on autobutler.co.uk we will connect you with garages in your vicinity and you can find the perfect one for your car radiator repair service or its replacement.
| Make | Compare and save* | You save on average* | Ratings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audi | £140 | 25% |
5.0
(4)
4
0
0
0
0
Read the reviews
|
|
| BMW | £102 | 27% |
3.5
(2)
1
0
0
1
0
Read the reviews
|
|
| Citroën | £161 | 23% |
5.0
(1)
1
0
0
0
0
Read the reviews
|
|
| Ford | £141 | 24% |
4.7
(9)
7
1
1
0
0
Read the reviews
|
|
| Mercedes-Benz | £172 | 21% |
4.7
(3)
2
1
0
0
0
Read the reviews
|
|
| Nissan | £223 | 25% |
4.6
(5)
4
0
1
0
0
Read the reviews
|
|
| Peugeot | £153 | 24% |
4.5
(8)
7
0
0
0
1
Read the reviews
|
|
| Seat | £180 | 26% |
(0)
|
|
| Vauxhall | £197 | 29% |
5.0
(13)
13
0
0
0
0
Read the reviews
|
|
| Volkswagen | £134 | 30% |
5.0
(6)
6
0
0
0
0
Read the reviews
|
|
| Make | Save on average* | |||
|
Audi
5.0
(4)
4
0
0
0
0
Read the reviews
|
£140 / 25% | |||
|
BMW
3.5
(2)
1
0
0
1
0
Read the reviews
|
£102 / 27% | |||
|
Citroën
5.0
(1)
1
0
0
0
0
Read the reviews
|
£161 / 23% | |||
|
Ford
4.7
(9)
7
1
1
0
0
Read the reviews
|
£141 / 24% | |||
|
Mercedes-Benz
4.7
(3)
2
1
0
0
0
Read the reviews
|
£172 / 21% | |||
|
Nissan
4.6
(5)
4
0
1
0
0
Read the reviews
|
£223 / 25% | |||
|
Peugeot
4.5
(8)
7
0
0
0
1
Read the reviews
|
£153 / 24% | |||
|
Seat
(0)
|
£180 / 26% | |||
|
Vauxhall
5.0
(13)
13
0
0
0
0
Read the reviews
|
£197 / 29% | |||
|
Volkswagen
5.0
(6)
6
0
0
0
0
Read the reviews
|
£134 / 30% |
Recharge your air con and keep your car cool this summer. Your air conditioning is serviced, checked for leaks and filled with up to 200g of refrigerant. Get a quote today and see your price instantly!
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