Car Service Land Coupons for Oil change, Tires, Wheel alignment, Brakes, Maintenance
The coolant’s main job is to transfer heat and prevent the car’s engine from damage caused due to freezing or overheating. Without a functional cooling system, the engine parts can overheat within minutes, causing them to go bad. This should tell you that leaking coolant is not a good thing.
If the leak is ignored for too long, it can lead to costly engine repair. How frequently the coolant needs to be checked depends on the type of vehicle you drive, your driving history, and the overall condition of the vehicle.
For now, we will discuss the cost of coolant leak repair so that you know how much will it cost you to mend the issue.
How Much Does It Cost To Repair Coolant Leak?
It may not sound normal, but the good news is that fixing a coolant leak won’t cost you an arm and a leg. Yes, it’s a quick and inexpensive fix in most cases. You can expect the coolant leak repair cost to be in the neighborhood of $100. In some cases, it would cost you less than $100, especially if it’s a minor leak that simply needs to be sealed.
| Auto Center | Price |
|---|---|
| Walmart | $100 – $240 |
| NAPA | $200 – $830 |
| Mr Tire | $140 – $650 |
| Midas | $125 – $580 |
| Your Mechanic | $160– $900 |
In such a scenario, you will just have to pay for the labor as no new parts would be needed to fix the leak. That said, the cost would be more if you have ignored the leak for a long time, which can cause it to damage other parts that need to be accessed individually at the time of repair.
If the problem is not spotted/fixed early on, the average cost for coolant leak repair would be around $900.
Important Pointer: It helps to handle the problem quickly so that you can keep the repair cost low. Usually, minor coolant leaks can be fixed within an hour. So, you won’t even have to wait too long to get your car back. That said, a coolant leak can often be a little difficult to locate because the coolant dripping on the hot engine will evaporate before you even see it.
But, if you notice fluid underneath your car, it could be a sign of a coolant leak.
Possible Areas of Coolant Leak:
A coolant leak is a common radiator issue. As such, coolant can leak from a variety of different locations, which are given below:
- Hoses
- Heater core
- Radiator
- Thermostat
- Head gasket
It’s worth pointing out that the coolant may be leaking due to these parts not working as expected, or even, due to an overfilled system. If the coolant is overfilled, it’s bound to overflow from the reservoir. In such a scenario, you will have to remove the excess coolant from the system so that it doesn’t overflow.
How to Conduct Coolant Leak Repair?
The primary thing to do over here is to locate the leak. If you are not able to find the origin of the leak, it’s better to take your car to the local garage to do a proper diagnostic of the issue at hand. Once the mechanic is able to determine the source of the leak and the scale of damage caused by the leak, he will be able to provide you with the price estimate to fix the leak.
Of course, he will also inform you about the course of action that needs to be carried out. Usually, the mechanic will wash the radiator and then make use of a UV light to see where the leak is coming from.
To fix the coolant leak, the coolant will be completely drained off. Then, minor leaks will be fixed with the help of some sealant. In some cases, welding will be needed to take care of the leak. For major leaks, the damaged part will be replaced entirely.
Once the repair/replacement is done, the coolant will be filled, and the mechanic will run the engine to ensure that the leak is properly taken care of. Keep in mind that the engine needs to be cold before you or the mechanic start working on the issue.
How Do You Save Money on Coolant Leak Repair Cost?
If you can perform the repair yourself, you will be able to save some money. Just make sure that the leak is properly fixed. Of course, you should also fix any part that may have been damaged due to the leaking coolant. If you have no experience in handling car issues, it’s better to have a professional look over your car.
You won’t be able to save a ton of money by hiring someone for the job. But then, a fair amount of money can be saved by comparing prices from different mechanics. Not to mention that you can save a great deal of money on costly repairs by not delaying a coolant leak.