Search over 600 topics on CostHelper.com
BROWSE ALL TOPICS >> babies & children cars & car maintenance education health & personal care home & garden personal finance pets & pet care small business weddings

CostHelper.com > Cars  > Radiator Flush

Radiator Flush Cost

How Much Does a Radiator Flush Cost?

low cost Range: $50-$145

Related Topics:

Radiator

Tune-up

Wheel Alignment

>> All Articles for Cars

   cost separator
 
Flushing a car's radiator means draining and refilling the cooling system. It removes built-up debris such as rust deposits and replaces contaminated fluid. Check your vehicle owner's manual for recommendations on how often you should have your cooling system flushed and refilled.

The American Automobile Association lists 24 to 36 months or 24,000 to 36,000 miles as the most common service intervals.
 
Typical costs:
  • Expect to pay $50 to $145 to have your radiator flushed, depending on the age, make and model of the vehicle, and the recommended type of coolant.
What should be included:
  • Anti-freeze, pressure test, waste disposal and labor should be included. Most shops will provide quotes by phone or online.
Additional costs:
  • "Long-life" coolants last up to 5 years or 100,000 miles and cost an additional $10-$20 per gallon.
  • Some shops offer fluids with various chemical additives, which are advertised as being formulated to improve cooling-system performance. Several products also include rust inhibitors to help reduce oxidation and neutralize acids.
Discounts:
  • Many company websites offer coupons for various services.
  • Check your local Yellow Pages director or discount books such as the Entertainment book for coupons for auto maintenance services.
Shopping for a radiator flush:
  • Radiators are pressurized, so scalding is possible if you remove the radiator cap before it has cooled. Also, anti-freeze is toxic and must be disposed of properly. Although it's not difficult to do the job yourself, you might want to have an expert do it for you.
  • Cooling system services are offered by chain stores such as Jiffy Lube and Pep Boys as well as dealership service centers and independent auto repair shops.
  • You can find a shop to do a radiator flush through trade groups such as the Automotive Service Association, described as an organization of businesses that strive to deliver excellence in automotive service and repair.
  • Get recommendations for local service providers through consumer review websites like Citysearch or Yelp.
  • Check the reputation of a repair shop or auto maintenance facility through the Better Business Bureau.
Article updated May 2007
Was this article helpful?  yes  no digg this Digg this delicious del.icio.us post E-mail post Post

Recent Posts
Amount: $70.00 Flushed Radiator
Posted by: Honda Driver in Campbell, CA.Purchased: October, 2007
Car Make: HondaCar Model: Accord
Auto Shop: Jiffy Lube
At my last car inspection (at AAA), they told me I needed to flush my radiator. My normal oil change place doesn't flush radiators, and the local radiator store didn't either, so I went to Jiffy Lube. So far, it seems OK. It took just 20 minutes.
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
Amount: $79.99 Radiator Flush - Jiffy Lube - Bad Experience
Posted by: Not Recommending Jiffy Lube in Chicago, IL.Purchased: 2008
Had radiator flush done at Jiffy Lube. This has proven to be problematic. Radiator fluid spilled everywhere, causing a battery terminal to be seriously corroded. This required replacement (done elsewhere). A few months after, vehicle stalled on a highway and had to be towed. Our mechanic reported that the radiator was empty. Jiffy Lube has not responded to complaints made earlier.
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
Amount: $20.00 DIY Radiator Flushing
Posted by: Toronado282 in Altamonte Springs, FL.Purchased: July, 2008
Car Make: OldsmobileCar Model: Cutlass Ciera SL
Auto Shop: None
Did a radiator Flush Myself, took an hour and a half, most of the time was spent waiting for the car to cool off. You could speed up the process if you are willing to risk getting burned. Antifreeze gets everywhere, so prepare for a small mess. But all in all, it was way better than paying $70 for one. Car temp is perfect now.
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
Amount: $40.00 Did it myself
Posted by: Avoid people you can't trust and do it yourself in Farmington, CT.Purchased: July, 2008
Car Make: FordCar Model: Mustang
Auto Shop: None
Here were my notes to myself. I spent $40. $10 each for 2 gallons of antifreeze, probably around $10 for flushing fluid, and around $10 for Red Line's Water Wetter.

1. Drain the antifreeze (~2 gallons) from the radiator through the petcock. Close the petcock.
2. Refill the radiator with Prestone Flush and about 2 gallons of water.
3. Start the car, warm it up, and let it run for 10 minutes once warm. Shut the car off.
4. Drain the water from the radiator through the petcock. Close the petcock.
5. Refill the radiator with about 2 gallons of water.
6. Start the car, warm it up, and let it run for 10 minutes once warm. Shut the car off.
7. Drain the water from the radiator through the petcock. Close the petcock.
8. Refill the radiator with Prestone 50/50 PreMix antifreeze. Leave the radiator cap off.
9. Start the car and watch the uncapped radiator. This allows air to escape the system.
10. Add Prestone 50/50 PreMix antifreeze as needed, and put the cap on the radiator. 11. Allow the engine to run for 10 minutes once warm, then shut off. 12. Allow the radiator to cool off, then open and add more antifreeze if necessary. 13. After driving the car in the near future, keep an eye on the antifreeze. Add if necessary.
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
Amount: $92.50 Radiator Flush - Jiffy Lube -
Posted by: boogs3 in San Antonio, TX.Purchased: January, 2009
Car Make: PlymouthCar Model: Grand Voyager SE
Auto Shop: Jiffy Lube
I took my van for an oil change and the manager of Jiffy Lube on Federicksburg road told me that my van needed a radiator flush and over charged me and besides that now i have a noise in the radiator that i didnt have before.
DONT RECOMMEND it
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
Amount: $15.00 radiator flush
Posted by: rob....s in cicero, IL.Purchased: August, 2008
Car Make: chevyCar Model: cavaliler
Auto Shop: drive way
did it myself 15 dollars
including tax
really quite simple
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
Amount: $30.00 Radiator Flush
Posted by: a user in Seattle, WA.Purchased: 2008
Car Make: HondaCar Model: Del Sol
Auto Shop: None
Did this myself, it is time consuming because of having to wait for the car to cool off after each warm up. Didn't want to burn my hands. Other than that it would be a lot easier if you had a garage. I had to do this job in an apartment complex lot, and didn't want my car running without me there. So grab a magazine and just start reading.

Otherwise the steps were covered by another member above. Very easy job.
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
Amount: $13.00 did it myself, bought chemicals from walmart
Posted by: abe in san diego, CA.Purchased: 2001
Car Make: FordCar Model: Ranger
from walmart $13 got me:
$3 bottle of prestone super flush
$3 prestone back-flush kit
$7 gallon of 5yr/150,000mile coolant

I had a really bad case: globs of clay-like brown rust. This took me way too long... hours... not sure how many. It was the damn backflush kit that made it take so long. I did: backflush, then circulated the soapy flush fluid, then backflush again, then coolant. In the end the coolant was still a little brown, but i was tired. Prolly good enough.
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
Amount: $49.99 Radiator Flush & Fill
Posted by: vicgems in Sterling Heights, MI.Purchased: April, 2009
Car Make: FordCar Model: Taurus
Auto Shop: Mobil Express
I went in for an oil change & found out that my Taurus (which is a 1996 with only 53,400 miles) has NEVER had a radiator flush performed. I had it done, it took 15 minutes & cost only $49.99. Oil change was 28.00 & new air filter was 12.99. I find by doing these relatively inexpensive maintenance things periodically greatly lengthen the lifespan of a vehicle & would advise to have it done professionally if you\'re inexperienced.
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
Amount: $34.12 Radiator Flush
Posted by: DOitURSELF in Brooklyn, NY.Purchased: August, 2001
Car Make: CadillacCar Model: Eldorado
Auto Shop: None
I did alot of research before doing it myself via webvideos/sites reading. In the end its not that difficult just takes alot of time refilling and draining and waiting for engine to cool.If you own a cadillac eldorado the petcock valve is on the lower right behind lower outtake valve. its hidden by a wire and Extreamly difficult to reach. Instead just open the lower valve you'll have to any way and drain that way. you can take out the battery for more manuvering space but not needed because you'll have to keep putting it back etc. long story short here are tips i learned to watch for
1.Check radiator cap if hot before opening
2.Check antifreeze if it comes out brown its rust and need flushing.
3.Never use water instead of antifreeze,it does exact opposite to your car.
4.you will need screw driver, plies,garden hose, prestine flush(big bottle-you have big engine), and some dex-cool anti free (2).
6.READ bottle directions
7. steps are basically flush old stuff out,wash out with plain water then fill up with plain water, flush again and put in pretine flushand then fill with water after, then flush again and wash out, then fill up with water and flush again, Then finally wait for engine to cool and fill up with antifreeze with cap off start engine let air escape then close.(note let engine idle 10 minutes before flushing and only flush after its cool). Note again i bought some chemical resistant heavy duty gloves so i could so it a bit faster but other components are still hot so be careful.

The price basically
99.centds for a funnel
4.00 for prestine flush
15.00 for 1 dexcool anti freeze 14.12. 58 foot gardenhose. TOTAL 34.12 last word is buy gloves just in case
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
Amount: $79.00 Jiffy Lube
Posted by: Ricardo in Columbus, OH.Purchased: May, 2001
Car Make: BuickCar Model: Century
Jiffy Lube didn't do a good job with mine either. I think all they did was drain the old antifreeze and replaced it without using any chemicals. Other than that I recommend never using dexcool antifreeze even though it is recommended by GM. It is known to damage radiator hoses. Use a compatible type of antifreeze of GMs
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam


Post About Your Experience With a Radiator Flush
 
Subject:  * Amount Spent:  *
Car Make: Car Model: 
Auto Shop:   
Comments: 
Purchased:  Year: 
City:  * State:  *
 
Information about you:
Email:  * Email addresses are not displayed.
Name:  This is the name we'll display with your post.
me on this computer
*=required field.