Coolant leak, overheating at highway speed, or discolored coolant in Chico? Radiator replacement from $449.99 including new upper and lower hoses, coolant flush, and post-repair pressure test. Chico's summer heat cycles are particularly hard on plastic-tank aluminum-core radiators — we see significantly more radiator failures per vehicle than the national average.
Radiator replacement in Chico starts at $449.99 for compact 4-cylinder vehicles — includes new upper and lower hoses, coolant drain and flush with OEM-spec coolant, and a post-repair pressure test. Chico's 105°F summers and temperature swings accelerate radiator aging. We start every overheating diagnosis with a $179.99 pressure test to confirm the radiator is the actual source before ordering parts.
Coolant puddle under the front of the vehicle, sweet smell under the hood, or visible wetness on the radiator core or end tanks. Plastic tank/aluminum core radiators crack at the tank seams — a common failure point at 100,000–150,000 miles accelerated by Chico's heat cycling.
A partially clogged radiator may cool adequately in city traffic but fail at highway speed when cooling demand is higher. Overheating that begins on the freeway after 15–20 minutes is often a clogged or partially blocked radiator rather than a thermostat or water pump issue.
Brown, rusty, or oily-looking coolant indicates internal corrosion or oil contamination. Corroded coolant attacks aluminum components throughout the system. A badly corroded radiator needs replacement, not just a flush.
Some automatic transmissions use a transmission cooler integrated into the radiator. When the internal divider fails, transmission fluid mixes with coolant — milky coolant or pink-tinged ATF. This is a radiator replacement situation combined with transmission flush.
| Service | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Coolant Pressure Test | $179.99 flat | Confirms radiator leak location before ordering parts. |
| Radiator Replacement — 4-cyl Compact | From $449.99 | Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Subaru Impreza, etc. Includes hoses, flush, pressure test. |
| Radiator Replacement — V6 / V8 / SUV | From $599.99 | Honda Accord, Toyota Camry/RAV4, Silverado, F-150, etc. |
| Radiator Replacement — Truck / Diesel | From $699.99 | Cummins RAM, Duramax Silverado, PowerStroke F-250. Heavy-duty radiator, transmission cooler. |
| Radiator Replacement — European | From $749.99 | BMW, Mercedes, Audi. OEM-equivalent or upgraded aluminum. Includes expansion tank inspection. |
| Coolant Flush (standalone) | From $129.99 | Full system drain, flush, and OEM-spec refill if radiator is serviceable. |
Prices are estimates as of publish date and subject to additional labor and parts based on actual vehicle condition.
Compact 4-cylinder from $449.99. V6/V8 and SUV from $599.99. Truck and diesel from $699.99. European from $749.99. All include new hoses, coolant flush, and pressure test. Written estimate before any work.
Minor external fitting leaks can sometimes be repaired. Internal tube blockage and plastic tank cracks cannot — replacement is the only reliable fix. We inspect the radiator and give you an honest assessment.
Most radiator jobs are completed same day — typically 2–3 hours. Diesel trucks and European vehicles with complex cooling systems may take longer.
Possibly — but overheating has multiple causes. We start with a $179.99 pressure test and a cooling system flow check before assuming the radiator is the problem. Thermostat and water pump failures are more common causes of overheating than a clogged radiator.
Yes — upper and lower hoses are always replaced with a radiator job. Hoses that are the same age as the failed radiator will fail soon regardless. It's included in our radiator replacement price.
Free 100-point digital inspection · Written estimates · NAPA Gold 3-year / 36,000-mile warranty
📍 2695 CA-32, Chico, CA 95973 · Open Mon–Fri 7AM–5PM · Sat 8AM–5PM · Sun 9AM–5PM
Complete cooling system care · 2695 CA-32, Chico · (530) 826-4275
Buddy Rausch founded Tedious Auto Repair in Chico, CA in 2007 and has been serving Butte County for 18+ years. As an ASE Master Technician, Buddy personally oversees diagnostics and quality control on every vehicle. All content on this page reflects real procedures, OEM specifications, and cases seen in the shop. Learn more about Buddy →