Automotive Radiator Replacement – In Store near me

Best Automotive Radiator Replacement- In Store Service and Cost In Iowa City
Mobile Mechanics of Iowa City Iowa City

Automotive Radiator Replacement- In Store Service near Iowa City IA: Are you looking for the Best Automotive Radiator Replacement- In Store Service near Iowa City IA ? Mobile Mechanics of Iowa City Iowa City, we’ll determine if your radiator needs to be repaired or replaced. We proudly service the Replace Radiator needs of customers. Cost? Free estimates! Send us a message or call us today. Best Automotive Radiator Replacement- In Store Service around Iowa City IA. We serve Iowa City IAand other areas. Get a Free Quote Now!

BEST AUTOMOTIVE RADIATOR REPLACEMENT - IN STORE SERVICE IN IOWA CITY IA

IOWA CITYAUTOMOTIVE RADIATOR REPLACEMENT – IN STORE

The Basics Behind Replace Radiator Services At Mobile Mechanics of Iowa City Iowa City

Automotive Radiator Replacement- In Store Service near Iowa City IA: The radiator on your car helps keep your engine cool. An overheated engine will lead to a breakdown, so radiator maintenance is very important to the overall functionality of your vehicle. The radiator sits at the front of the engine bay and is constructed with slim, hollow channels that run from the inlet tank to the outlet tank. Liquid coolant gets pumped through a sequence of tubes to the engine, where the liquid is warmed by the working engine. After the coolant passes through the engine, it makes its way to the radiator, which is constructed so that the flowing liquid is cooled by air passing through the radiator. The air is allowed in through the grill on the front of the car. Once the liquid is cooled down again, the coolant cycles back through the engine to absorb more heat in a continuous cycle to keep the engine working at optimal temperatures.

Why Should You Have Replace Radiator Services Performed At Mobile Mechanics of Iowa City Iowa City?

It’s extremely important to repair or replace your radiator if it isn’t working properly. If you think your radiator is malfunctioning, there are signs that might help you determine the appropriate time to schedule a service. One sign that your radiator isn’t working could be an elevated temperature gauge, which is an indication that your engine may be overheating. Another sign of a malfunctioning radiator is a green, yellow, or orange puddle of coolant under your car, which may point to a radiator leak. Radiators spring leaks due to corrosion. If you notice problems with your radiator, contact us and we’ll determine if your radiator needs to be repaired or replaced.

We proudly service the Replace Radiator needs of customers in Iowa City IA and surrounding areas.

Radiator Replacement

When a family member has a fever, it is a way for their body to tell them that something isn’t quite right. You know how lousy they feel and you probably call the doctor.  When your vehicle is running a temperature the same thing is kind also true.  But while your body can usually heal itself sometimes you need help from a doctor to find out what is up and how to get better.  Your vehicle can’t fix itself.  If the radiator on your car isn’t functioning properly, it depends on you to pay attention to the visible signs and dash gages that there is a cooling system problem.  It might be time for a radiator repair.

How Radiators Work

The radiator is an important part of your vehicle engine.  It removes the heat generated by the engine and uses liquid coolant (called antifreeze) and uses the airflow through the radiator core to reduce the amount of high temperatures that are generated.  There are several parts of an engine cooling system. The radiator is the main part.  When your radiator starts to fail your vehicle’s cooling system will struggle to keep engine temperatures at normal and safe operating levels.

Symptoms of a failed or failing radiator

Automotive Radiator Replacement- In Store Service near Iowa City IA: The temperature gauge is one indication you might need a radiator repair.  There can also be visible signs around the radiator and the engine area. When a radiator starts to fail, some of the more visible signs are:

Leaking

You will see coolant water dripping under the front of the car after the engine is turned off. This is commonly a light green/yellowish color and has a sweet odor. You may also see liquid appear around the radiator edges or hoses where they connect to the engine. Some smaller leaks can be repaired; larger leaks may require a radiator replacement.

Rust and/or Corrosion

Rust and corrosion can occur if the radiator coolant isn’t changed regularly.  If the coolant inside the radiator has indications of rust or is turning into sludge, it is time to flush engine coolant. Sometimes the best solution is to replace the radiator.

Clogged radiator

Two of the most common types of clogs that can occur in radiators are debris buildup on the radiator’s face and buildup in the radiator’s internal core. Dirt and debris can buildup on the face of the radiator restricting airflow. With insufficient airflow, the radiator can’t do its job of removing heat from the coolant water. To fix this problem, the technician will spray water or compressed air from the backside of the radiator to remove the debris.

How we do Diagnostic Testing on the Radiator

If the temperature gauge has been reading higher than normal, bring your vehicle in for a radiator checkup. We do diagnostic testing with specialized equipment and determine where the radiator cooling problems are.

Our trained and certified technicians will perform several tests to diagnose the issues with the radiator cooling system. Sometimes just performing a visual check of the engine area will give them the clues they need to get started in the right direction. Our technicians will also check your engine oil and transmission fluid levels.

Replacing the radiator

Materials Needed

  • Air compressor (optional)
  • Cooling system vacuum fill tool (optional)
  • Flare nut wrench of the appropriate size
  • Free repair manuals – AutoZone provides free online repair manuals for certain makes and models
  • Jack and jack stands
  • Pliers
  • Protective gloves
  • Ratchet and sockets of the appropriate size
  • Ratchet extension
  • Safety glasses
  • Screwdriver
  • Wrenches of the appropriate size
  • Step 1: Raise and support the vehicle. Safely support the vehicle by jacking it up and supporting it with jack stands. Place a wheel chock behind the rear wheels and set the parking brake.
  • Step 2: Drain the coolant from the radiator. Open the petcock valve or remove the lower radiator hose to drain the coolant from the radiator.
  • Step 3: Disconnect the radiator reservoir hose. Loosen the hose clamp using either pliers or a screwdriver, depending on the clamp design. Disconnect the hose by twisting and pulling it away from the radiator.
  • Step 4: Remove the upper radiator hose. Loosen the hose clamps using either pliers or a screwdriver, depending on the clamp design. Then remove the hose by twisting and pulling it away from the connection.
  • Step 5: Remove the lower radiator hose. Loosen the hose clamps using either pliers or a screwdriver, depending on the clamp design. Then remove the hose by twisting and pulling it away from the connection.
  • Step 6: Disconnect the cooling fan electrical connector. Disconnect the cooling fan electrical connector by pushing on the tab and pulling it back.
  • Step 7: Remove the cooling fan mounting bolts. Remove the cooling fan mounting bolts using a ratchet, extension and socket of the appropriate size.
  • Step 8: Remove the cooling fan. Remove the cooling fan from the vehicle.
  • Step 9: Disconnect the transmission cooler lines. Disconnect the transmission cooler lines from the radiator using a flare nut wrench to prevent rounding off the fittings.
  • Step 10: Remove the radiator mounting bolts. Remove the radiator mounting bolts using a wrench or ratchet and socket of the appropriate size.
  • Step 11: Remove the condenser mounting bolts. Remove the condenser mounting bolts using a wrench or ratchet and socket of the appropriate size.
  • Step 12: Remove the radiator. Remove the radiator from the vehicle
  • Step 13: Mount the radiator. Mount the new radiator in position.
  • Step 14: Install the condenser mounting bolts. Install the condenser mounting bolts and tighten them down.
  • Step 15: Install the radiator mounting bolts. Install the radiator mounting bolts using a wrench or ratchet and socket of the appropriate size.
  • Step 16: Connect the transmission cooler lines. Connect the transmission cooler lines to the radiator using a flare nut wrench to prevent rounding off the fittings.
  • Step 17: Mount the fan. Mount the cooling fan in position.
  • Step 18: Install the cooling fan mounting bolts. Install the cooling fan mounting bolts using a ratchet, extension and socket of the appropriate size.
  • Step 19: Reinstall the connector. Reconnect the cooling fan electrical connector.
  • Step 20: Install the lower radiator hose. Slide the hose onto the connection. Using either pliers or a screwdriver (depending on the clamp design), slide the hose clamps into position and tighten them down.
  • Step 21: Install the upper radiator hose. Slide the hose onto the connection. Then, using either pliers or a screwdriver (depending on the clamp design), slide the hose clamps into position and tighten them down.
  • Step 22: Connect the radiator reservoir hose. Slide the hose onto the connection. Then, using either pliers or a screwdriver (depending on the clamp design), slide the hose clamp into position and tighten it down.
  • Step 23: Fill the radiator with coolant. Close the drain petcock as needed. Then fill the radiator with coolant.
  • Step 24: Bleed the air from the cooling system. Air can be bled from the cooling system either by opening the bleeder valve if equipped, or using a cooling system vacuum fill tool attached to shop air. On some vehicles, it is possible to bleed the cooling system of air by running the engine with the radiator cap off and allowing coolant to puke out.
  • Step 25: Lower the vehicle. Jack up the vehicle and remove the jack stands. Then lower the vehicle and remove the wheel chock.

TIPS

Automotive Radiator Replacement- In Store Service near Iowa City IA: Is your engine overheating and the radiator leaking? It is time to swap out the faulty radiator with a quality replacement. You have all the tools for the job, but isn’t there always one more thing to remember? Find the radiator replacement advice needed to do it right the first time.

Remember the Safety Gear

Don’t forget that your car is on wheels, even if it isn’t running. Use jack stands to support the car while draining the radiator and chock the wheels for the entire duration of the repair. Mechanics gloves protect you from sharp metal and safety glasses prevent injury from caustic chemicals or splashing hot water.

Inspect Your Hoses Before You Buy Parts

If your radiator is old enough to be leaking, it is likely that the hoses are also getting brittle or are cracked. It may seem like an added expense, but imagine if you skip replacing the hoses, and then they burst. Your engine and the new radiator could be damaged, costing far more in repairs than anticipated.

Measure Twice and Match the Connections

Unless you are purchasing an OEM radiator, it is likely that the new one won’t be a perfect fit. Before clicking to purchase the part, double check that it has the inlet and outlet on the correct side matching your existing unit. Measure your current radiator in height, width, and depth, and verify the replacement will slide right into its spot.

Fins Per Square Inch are Your Best Performance Indicator

With improved technology and new material, your replacement radiator will likely outperform the old one. If you are looking to boost your horsepower and improve your time down the line, look for a radiator with more than 14 fins per square inch. More fins equal more surface area which helps to provide more cooling efficiency for the engine. Most factory-installed radiators contain between 8 and 14 fins per square inch.

Going Bigger May Cause More Problems than It Solves

If you are thinking of upgrading your radiator, carefully consider the engine compartment and airflow before buying. If your grille and fan are small, hiding a wider radiator under the hood will not allow the new equipment to perform up to standards. If you opt for a 3-row unit, it could be too thick, preventing you from reinstalling the fan. If your car has false intake panels in the front fascia, it is possible to cut out the panels and install a screen to better accommodate your new performance radiator.

Mechanically, replacing a radiator is one of the simpler car repairs that a novice is able to tackle without too much assistance. However, it is important to heed all the radiator replacement advice available. When you take your time and double check your parts, you will have the old one out and the new one installed in short order.

COST

Radiator Replacement Cost – How Much Does it Cost to Replace a Radiator?

Automotive Radiator Replacement- In Store Service near Iowa City IA: Dogs pant, humans sweat, and cars use radiators to regulate temperature. A radiator is integral to a car’s ability to do its honorable job of staying reliable for the owner. A car for most of us almost becomes a trustworthy friend. You count on your car daily to get you from point A to point B, without your vehicle life becoming one giant inconvenience. No one wants to rely on taxis, rides from family or friends, and absolutely no one wants to experience the horrors that are public transportation. Keeping your car healthy is important and just like a human a car can’t afford to overheat, nor does anyone want to deal with the high costs to repair a radiator. The average cost to replace a radiator ranges from $300-$1200.

How Much Does A Radiator Replacement Cost?

The toughest part about a failing radiator is the high cost that is involved. Unfortunately, a radiator is an expensive piece of equipment and is typically a process that involves a high amount of labor. According to Repair Pal, here are some popular cars and their associated cost to replace the radiator only.

Make                         Model                                   Price

Toyota                       Camry                        $483 – $824

Scion                          tC                                $386 – $592

Honda                       Civic                           $387 – $737

Honda                       Accord                       $443 -$577

BMW                         325i                            $487 – $687

Why Is It Expensive To Repair A Radiator?

The radiator itself is a quite expensive part, often ranging from around $100 to well over three or four hundred dollars! Beyond that point, the radiator is an integral part of the front of your vehicle. In order to access the radiator, a technician has to remove all structural pieces from the front of your vehicle. In other words, they need to take off the entire bumper assembly to properly access your radiator! This will absolutely lead to high labor cost, often taking an experienced technician several hours to complete.

Is It Worth Replacing Your Radiator?

Before you make a decision to make the costly investment in your old vehicle by replacing your radiator, you are going to want to investigate what your car is actually worth. The internet offers us numerous tools that can help make an annoying task like estimating the value of our car easily. Websites like Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds are great tools offered to the public. Keep in mind that the numbers you get from these sites are estimates only and most people who buy vehicles for a living will indicate that these prices are always on the high side. In reality, it’s just a ploy to make money.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the Radiator all about?

Automotive Radiator Replacement- In Store Service near Iowa City IA: The radiator performs a critical function; it keeps the engine from overheating. While running, the engine produces heat. Coolant flowing through the system absorbs and removes extra heat from the engine. The coolant then passes through the radiator where it cools off and is later circulated back to the engine to absorb heat again.

A radiator has two tanks that are connected to each other through aluminum or brass tubes. When the coolant passes through these tubes, the radiator cooling fan blows air across the radiator to lower the temperature of the coolant. The tank is usually made of plastic, and it is common for it to crack and start leaking coolant. If the tank or the tubes crack, coolant will leak , the vehicle will overheat and could cause severe engine damage. Radiators also tend to clog over time. When this occurs, not enough coolant flows through the radiator leading to heat build-up, causing the engine to overheat.

 

How is it done?

  • Inspect radiator for leaks.
  • Pressure test cooling system.
  • Remove and replace the radiator.
  • Fill the radiator with a proper mixture of 50/50 coolant.
  • Recheck for leaks

What common symptoms indicate you may need to replace the Radiator?

  • Car is overheating.
  • Coolant (red, yellow, green fluid) is leaking.

How important is this service?

If a defective radiator is not replaced, the overheating of the engine can potentially lead to serious internal engine damage.

What Is A Car Radiator?

Your engine and transmission generate a great deal of heat. Roughly a third of the energy in every gallon of gasoline you pay for winds up as heat that has to be dissipated by your radiator.

What Is The Severity Of A Faulty Car Radiator?

An overheated engine can’t run very long without major damage. The first thing that generally fails is the head gasket, an extremely expensive repair. Continued operation with low coolant can score the cylinder walls. A failed head gasket lets coolant into the oil, and oil into the coolant, causing severe engine damage within a mile or two severe enough to require engine replacement.

The radiator itself, depending on make and model, can run from $150 to over $500 (or more for luxury models). You’ll probably need new hoses, $10-20, and $20 for fresh coolant. Labor should run $100-200. If your old radiator was sludge up, a chemical flush of the rest of the cooling system, for an additional $50 or so, might be necessary.

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BEST AUTOMOTIVE RADIATOR REPLACEMENT – IN STORE SERVICE IN IOWA CITY

Mobile Mechanics of Iowa City

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