Imagine you’re out for a drive when the heater suddenly stops working or the temperature gauge spikes into the red. That usually means your cooling system needs a flush.
You may have to shell out around $132 to $265 for a coolant flush.
Wondering what that price includes?
In this guide, we’ll break down the coolant flush cost, signs you need one, and tips to prolong the lifespan of your car’s coolant system.
This Article Contains:
- How Much Does a Coolant Flush Cost?
- 4 Factors Affecting the Engine Coolant Flush Cost
- Is it Necessary to Flush Coolant?
- 7 Signs You Need a Coolant Flush
- How Long Does the Coolant Last?
- Coolant Flush vs. Drain-and-Refill: What Is the Difference?
- Can You Perform a Coolant Flush Yourself?
- How Long Does a Coolant Flush Take?
- Can You Mix Different Types of Coolants?
- Are Engine Coolant and Antifreeze the Same Thing?
- How Can You Prolong the Lifespan of Your Car’s Coolant System?
Let’s get started!
How Much Does a Coolant Flush Cost?
A professional mechanic will usually quote you around $132 to $265 for a coolant flush. This covers:
- New coolant: $10 to $25
- Additives: $15 to $20
- Radiator cleaner: $7 to $20
- Labor cost: $100 to $200
4 Factors Affecting the Engine Coolant Flush Cost
The key elements that affect the total cost of a coolant flush are:
- Vehicle make and model: Each car model uses a specific coolant type in its system. For example, older vehicles may use Inorganic Acid Technology (IAT) radiator coolant, which is less expensive but requires frequent flushes. Meanwhile, modern luxury cars like BMW often use Organic Acid Technology (OAT) or Hybrid Organic Acid Technology (HOAT) engine coolant. These can cost more upfront but last much longer.
- Coolant quantity: Depending on your vehicle’s size and capacity, the amount of fresh coolant added (per gallon) can increase your total cost.
- Type of additives used: Repair shops may use specialized cleaning agents or additives during a coolant flush to remove contaminants, rust, and scale buildup, which can increase the overall cost.
- Additional repairs: During a coolant flush, a certified technician may inspect the entire cooling system and replace any faulty parts, like the water pump, heater core hoses, or serpentine belt. For example, swapping out the serpentine belt can add another $90 to $250 to the total bill.
Is it Necessary to Flush Coolant?
Yes!
A regular coolant or radiator flush helps avoid issues like oil contamination and engine overheating, which can lead to expensive repairs.
Here’s what happens if you skip regular coolant flushes:
- Additive breakdown: If you don’t clean the cooling system, the coolant’s anti-corrosion and lubrication properties will wear off over time, leading to rust that can strain vital coolant parts.
- Debris buildup: Rust and scale buildup can clog the cooling system, damaging the heater core and causing the engine to overheat.
- Acidic coolant: With age, engine coolant can turn acidic, corroding the radiator hose or metal parts. This process, known as chemical electrolysis, can severely damage your entire cooling system.
7 Signs You Need a Coolant Flush
Here are the red flags that indicate you need a coolant change:
- Coolant leak underneath your car (can be blue, dark green, orange, or bright red)
- Steam or a sweet smell coming from under the hood
- High engine temperature gauge reading
- The engine overheats even when the coolant level is full
- Grinding or knocking noises from the engine
- The heater stops working
- Visible debris in the coolant fluid
How Long Does the Coolant Last?
In cars that use IAT coolant, the first flush usually happens around 45,000 miles. After that, you’ll need a coolant flush every two years or 30,000 miles.
Newer cars, mainly from European (BMW, Audi, Mercedes) and Asian (Toyota, Honda, Hyundai) manufacturers, often use advanced coolants like HOAT. It lasts around 5 years or 150,000 miles.
NOTE: Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual for the exact coolant flush intervals.
Coolant Flush vs. Drain-and-Refill: What Is the Difference?
Think of a coolant flush as a deep clean and a drain-and-refill as a quick rinse.
Here’s how they differ:
- Coolant flush: A flush uses special equipment or cleaners to push out nearly all the old coolant, along with debris, rust, and sediment buildup inside the system. The mechanic then adds fresh coolant. This ensures your entire cooling system is cleaned and refilled, which helps prevent overheating and corrosion.
- Coolant drain-and-refill: This process involves draining the old coolant from the radiator and refilling it with new fluid. However, some contaminated coolant can stay trapped in the engine block and heater core. It’s a quicker and more affordable option, but less thorough than a flush.
Bottom line:
A drain-and-refill may be enough if you maintain your car regularly and the coolant is still in good condition. But if your coolant is dirty, acidic, or hasn’t been changed in years, a coolant flush is the better choice to protect the engine.
Can You Perform a Coolant Flush Yourself?
No, it isn’t recommended.
DIY coolant flushes can be time-consuming and require a thorough understanding of the car components. You’ll also have to carefully dispose of the old coolant, as it’s toxic and can’t be poured down the drain. That’s why you should leave the service to a professional.
If you still wish to know how it’s done, here are the steps a mechanic will perform:
- Park the car on a flat surface and turn off the engine to let it cool down.
- Remove the radiator cap to release pressure. Then open the drain valve and put a drain pan under your car to allow the old coolant to flow out completely.
- Close the drain plug, add a radiator flush solution mixed with water to the coolant reservoir, and run the engine for about 10 minutes to circulate the solution.
- Turn off the engine and let it cool before opening the valve again to drain the mixture.
- Once the system is fully drained, close the drain valve and pour in fresh coolant until the level reaches the correct mark.
- Restart the engine to let any trapped air bubbles escape, then recheck the fluid level and top it off if necessary.
How Long Does a Coolant Flush Take?
A coolant flush usually takes 30 minutes to an hour. The exact time depends on your vehicle, the condition of the cooling system, and whether it requires extra steps, like cleaning out debris or checking for leaks.
Can You Mix Different Types of Coolants?
No, vehicle manufacturers don’t recommend mixing different radiator coolant types.
Each coolant type has a unique chemical composition, and combining them can trigger chemical reactions that may damage your engine.
Are Engine Coolant and Antifreeze the Same Thing?
Coolant and antifreeze are related, but they’re not exactly the same.
Antifreeze is a concentrated chemical (often glycol-based) that prevents the engine from freezing or overheating. Meanwhile, coolant is a mixture of antifreeze and water that circulates through the engine and radiator.
In other words, coolant is the ready-to-use solution inside your car, and antifreeze is the main ingredient that gives the coolant protective properties.
How Can You Prolong the Lifespan of Your Car’s Coolant System?
Follow these tips to keep your vehicle’s cooling system in top condition:
- Use the manufacturer-recommended coolant or antifreeze for your car.
- Check coolant levels every six months, especially before summer or winter, to prevent engine overheating.
- Inspect the radiator hose for cracks, minor leaks, and rusted clamps during each oil change or cooling system service to ensure the components are in good condition.
- Avoid overloading your vehicle as it can strain your engine and cooling system, increasing the risk of overheating.
Keep Your Engine Cool with AutoNation Mobile Service
A coolant flush helps avoid severe engine and coolant system damage while ensuring your car runs smoothly in all weather conditions.
Looking for a hassle-free coolant flush service?
Try AutoNation Mobile Service!
We’re a mobile auto repair solution offering online bookings and a 12-month, 12,000-mile warranty on every auto service.
Contact us today, and a certified technician will come perform a coolant flush right from your driveway.