Quick answer. This 2016 Ford Fiesta had a radiator leaking from its seams. The job on our record was a radiator replacement, 3.0 hours of labor at $150 an hour, or $450. A leak at the seams is a good reason to replace a radiator, because the radiator can no longer hold its coolant.
Key Points
- Our tech found the radiator leaking from its seams.
- The job was a radiator replacement.
- The labor line on the record is 3.0 hours at $150, which comes to $450.
- Coolant on the ground is a danger to kids and pets, so clean it up fast.
- Topping off the coolant buys time. It does not fix a leak.
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What Our Tech Found
The finding is one line. The radiator was leaking from the seams.
The job came in under two words, radiator replacement. The finding says why, and the bill says what it took. That is the whole story on the record, so that is the story we will tell.
2016 Ford Fiesta, November 4
Came in for: a radiator replacement.
Our tech found: the radiator was leaking from the seams.
What was done: radiator replacement.
What it cost: $450 in labor, 3.0 hours at $150.
What the Record Does Not Say
The record has no mileage. It does not say what the owner noticed first, or if the engine ever ran hot. It does not show a separate parts line, so we will not give you a parts number.
We also have no photo of the old radiator. All three photos from this job show the outside of the car at night. We would rather tell you that than dress it up.
How a Radiator Seam Is Built
This part is general background. It is not a report on this Fiesta. A radiator is not always one solid piece. One radiator patent describes a common build for big heavy duty radiators. A molded plastic tank sits on a metal header with a rubber gasket in between. Metal tabs get crimped over the lip of the tank to squeeze the gasket tight.
That same patent says internal pressure can make the tabs relax, which takes the squeeze off the gasket and lets coolant out. A seam is a joint, and a joint under pressure and heat has a job to do every time you drive. Our record says where this radiator leaked. It does not say why.
Why a Leak Means a New Radiator
The part maker HELLA puts it plainly. A radiator with cracks or leaks can no longer properly hold its coolant. That can lead to engine overheating or weak cabin heat, and HELLA lists it as a reason to replace the radiator.
A leak is not the only thing to check when a car runs hot, though. HELLA's cooling system check starts with the coolant level and leaks. Then it moves on to the fan, the thermostat, a clogged radiator and the water pump. A new radiator will not cure a bad fan. So find the real fault before you buy parts.
Topping off is not a fix either. HELLA's coolant page says the mix of water to antifreeze should sit between 60:40 and 50:50, and to follow the maker's instructions. Pouring in plain water every few days can move you off that mix, and the leak is still there.
Why a Coolant Puddle Is Not Just a Mess
Do not leave it on the driveway. Poison Control says antifreeze is dangerous to swallow even in small amounts. It says to clean up spills and leaks right away, because spills can attract dogs and other animals. It also says not to pour antifreeze down a storm drain or onto the ground.
Used coolant is worse than it looks. A 1999 EPA sheet for repair shops says waste antifreeze may hold lead, cadmium and chromium. It says dumping it down a storm drain is illegal and can bring fines of up to $25,000. Rules vary by place, so ask your city how to get rid of it.
What to Ask Before a Radiator Job
In California, you have rights on any repair. The Bureau of Automotive Repair says the shop must give you an estimate for parts and labor first. You must approve the repair before the work starts, and that can be in writing, by voice or by text. If more problems turn up, the shop has to tell you and get your yes.
So ask to see the finding. Ask where the leak is. On this job the answer fit in one line, and it sits on the record in Shop Desk, the software our San Jacinto shop built. Any mechanic can use it free.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was wrong with this 2016 Ford Fiesta?
The radiator was leaking from its seams. That is what our tech wrote on the job.
How much did this radiator job cost?
The line on the record is 3.0 hours of labor at $150 an hour, which is $450. The record shows no separate parts line.
Can I just keep adding coolant to a leaking radiator?
It may get you a short way, but it does not fix anything. A radiator that leaks can no longer hold its coolant, and that can lead to overheating. Get it looked at soon.
Is leaking coolant dangerous?
Yes. Antifreeze is dangerous to swallow even in small amounts, and spills can attract dogs and other animals. Clean it up right away and keep kids and pets clear.
Did the Fiesta overheat?
The record does not say. It lists the leak and the replacement. It does not list a temperature, a warning light or a symptom, so we will not guess.
What We Read
- HELLA Tech World, Radiators
- HELLA Tech World, Cooling System Check
- HELLA Tech World, Refilling Coolant
- US Patent 10030918, Radiator Tank Fastening System
- Poison Control, Antifreeze: Bad for Your Kids and Pets
- US EPA, Antifreeze Recycling
- California Bureau of Automotive Repair, Maintenance and Repairs
Supercanic tip: See a puddle under the front of your car? Check it before you drive far, and keep kids and pets away from it. Call us at (951) 904-2477 and we will find the leak before anybody sells you a part.
Coolant on the Ground?
Call us. We find the leak first, then we quote the fix, and you say yes before the work starts.
