Get the Best Priced Dodge Neon Radiator

The radiator is an important part of keeping your engine cool. Damage to your Neon's radiator could lead to even more severe harm to the rest of the engine through overheating. Once you notice the temperature gauge rising, don't put off replacing this critical component of your engine. If your Dodge Neon has a radiator leak, you need to get a replacement as soon as possible.

How a Radiator Helps to Cool the Engine

Without the cooling system, your Dodge Neon would overheat its engine every time you drive for any distance. The radiator is the heart of the cooling system. You probably know that you pour coolant or antifreeze into your car periodically, but did you ever think about how the coolant is used to keep your engine safe? Coolant flows through pipes around the engine. This special substance can absorb a lot of the excess heat produced by the engine. Then the coolant flows to the radiator, where it travels through a series of tube that are set in a mesh-type metal grill. Air blows over the radiator from outside, releasing the heat from the coolant in the radiator. The cooled coolant recirculates to the engine to repeat the process. As a self-contained system, your coolant levels should remain constant, but if they drop, you may have a leak, which will require service.

Signs of Radiator Damage

One of the clearest signs of damage on your Neon's radiator is a leak. You may see or smell coolant around your car, or the coolant level in the reservoir may drop. Sometimes, you may just have one of your Dodge Neon radiator hoses leaking. This might be a situation where you would not have to replace the entire radiator, just the faulty hose. Another indication of damage to the radiator is your temperature gauge rising higher than the normal operating temperature. This could be a sign of a leak or even an indication that the coolant is not as fresh as it should be. You may need a radiator flush, especially if you are making a seasonal switch from coolant to antifreeze. Fresh coolant can also help your radiator to operate better without replacing the entire unit.

Dodge Neon Radiator Replacement Cost

New radiators will require a new fill up of coolant, too. The price to replace a 2000 Dodge Neon radiator ranges from $361 to $460. You might be able to find a mechanic who will charge less because his hourly service rate is less than the average. Most mechanics will not drop the price for the parts, which is included in the installation estimate. If you have a newer Dodge Neon, you price may also be different from this range due to higher prices for parts for later model year cars.

How to Spend Less on a New Radiator

Your radiator is so important to your Neon that you cannot drive without it. To reduce your price, find a radiator for less, and the best place to do that is at PartsGeek.com. By shopping at PartsGeek.com, you can find radiators to fit your Dodge Neon while saving money over the retail cost.