The radiator sheds engine heat into the air, and when it leaks, blocks up internally or has its fins destroyed by road salt, the engine runs hot. AutoTech Clinic replaces radiators at our shop on Michigan Ave in Dearborn, usually the same day, and refills and bleeds the system properly afterward.
Most of the radiators we replace are not cracked from impact. They fail where the plastic end tanks meet the aluminum core, and that is an age and heat cycle problem rather than something you did.
- How Long
- About 2 to 4 hours on most vehicles.
- Same Day
- Usually finished the same day.
- Vehicles
- Foreign and domestic, cars through trucks.
Signs You Need Radiator Repair and Replacement
- Green, orange or pink coolant on the driveway near the front of the car
- The temperature gauge rising in traffic and dropping on the highway
- White crusty residue on the radiator or the hose connections
- Steam from the front of the car after a drive
- The coolant reservoir dropping steadily
- Bent, corroded or packed fins visible through the grille
What We Do
- 01
Pressure Test the System
We pressurize the cooling system cold and watch where it leaks, which beats looking for a wet spot on a hot engine.
- 02
Check Flow and Blockage
We check for internal restriction and look at the fins for salt corrosion and packed debris, both common on Michigan vehicles.
- 03
Inspect the Whole System
Hoses, cap, reservoir, fan and thermostat all get checked. A failed cap alone can cause what looks like a radiator leak.
- 04
Replace and Refill Correctly
We fit the new radiator with new clamps and any brittle plastic fittings, then fill with the correct coolant type for your vehicle.
- 05
Bleed and Verify
Air pockets cause overheating and no heat. We bleed the system properly, bring the engine to temperature, confirm fan operation and recheck the level.
Why Radiators Fail Here
Two reasons dominate in Metro Detroit. First, plastic end tanks go brittle after years of heat cycles and crack where they crimp to the aluminum core. Second, salt spray corrodes the fins from the outside until they crumble and stop transferring heat.
Neither is preventable by driving carefully. What you can do is keep the coolant fresh so the inside stays clean, and rinse the front of the radiator in spring to clear salt and road grit out of the fins.
Do Not Use Stop Leak
Cooling system stop leak products circulate particles that harden where they meet air. Sometimes that plugs a pinhole. It also plugs the narrow passages of the heater core and the radiator itself.
We see cars every winter with no heat because a sealer product blocked the heater core while slowing a radiator leak. The honest repair is almost always cheaper in the end.
What Affects the Cost
We quote your vehicle specifically after inspecting it, because these are the things that move the number up or down:
- Radiator cost, which varies widely between vehicles
- Whether the transmission cooler is built into the radiator
- Hoses, clamps, cap and reservoir replaced at the same time
- Access, since some radiators require removing the front bumper cover
- Coolant type, as some long life coolants are considerably more expensive
Call (313) 277-7200 with your year, make and model and we will tell you what to expect before you come in.
Why AutoTech Clinic
AAA Approved
An inspected facility that has to meet AAA standards for equipment and training.
Photos First
You see what we found and approve the price before anything is taken apart.
Same-Day Service
Parts on hand for the vehicles we see most, so you are not waiting on a delivery.