Cost to replace radiator?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 55
Likes: 1
From: Fairfax VA
Cost to replace radiator?
hey guys, recently my car started leaking coolant. I couldn't seem to find the leak so I took it up to the dealership tysons koons chevy. They called me back saying that my radiator and upper/lower hoses were bad and needed to be replaced... they quoted me $1125 
... I'm curious if this is a good price or I should look elsewhere? Is replacing the radiator a tough job or could it be done at home?
... I'm curious if this is a good price or I should look elsewhere? Is replacing the radiator a tough job or could it be done at home?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
Seems high to me. I searched NAPA for price of new radiator, was $170-270. Say hoses are $50 each, that is 7 hours labor at $100 per hour. Seems high.
Have you tried to use a radiator sealant? The aluminum looking powder is the best.
Have you tried to use a radiator sealant? The aluminum looking powder is the best.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,932
Likes: 4
From: Warrenville Il
If you include where you are located someone can suggest a local corvette shop in your area. Or create a new post asking for a vette shop near you. Dealerships want way too much money to work on these ageing cars.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 4,812
Likes: 46
From: Taylorsville North Carolina
Post up where you are located or go to Regional Discussion and ask for good local shop. If you are not comfortable doing it yourself, I bet you will find a local vette lover who will help you do it for a beer
. If you live close to me, bring it by and I will help you repl it for free. You can get used rad here for ~$50. Good luck with it.
. If you live close to me, bring it by and I will help you repl it for free. You can get used rad here for ~$50. Good luck with it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,233
Likes: 5
From: Hyde Park New York
hey guys, recently my car started leaking coolant. I couldn't seem to find the leak so I took it up to the dealership tysons koons chevy. They called me back saying that my radiator and upper/lower hoses were bad and needed to be replaced... they quoted me $1125 ... I'm curious if this is a good price or I should look elsewhere? Is replacing the radiator a tough job or could it be done at home?
... I'm curious if this is a good price or I should look elsewhere? Is replacing the radiator a tough job or could it be done at home?
For that Price, they should be installing a Dewitts!
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 55
Likes: 1
From: Fairfax VA
Post up where you are located or go to Regional Discussion and ask for good local shop. If you are not comfortable doing it yourself, I bet you will find a local vette lover who will help you do it for a beer. If you live close to me, bring it by and I will help you repl it for free. You can get used rad here for ~$50. Good luck with it.
. If you live close to me, bring it by and I will help you repl it for free. You can get used rad here for ~$50. Good luck with it.
.... Your located in NC? If I get the chance I don't mind driving out there if you could help because I cant really afford to replace it at the cost of $1125 I would forever be in debt to you!!!! 
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 17,767
Likes: 3,695
From: The Sunshine State
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
Finalist 2020 C7 of the Year -- Modified
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
2018 C5 of Year Finalist
Depending on whether you plan to keep the car for a long time, I would definitely go with an aluminum Dewitts radiator and then either install it yourself (depending on your skill/comfort level) or have a local performance shop familiar with Corvettes perform the work. You should be able to get solid references from local Corvette clubs or online inquiries. Dealerships are great...for high-end cost estimates.
Good luck!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,197
Likes: 190
From: ALL governments are legalized mobsters, so doesn't matter where I live :(
OP- If your skilled or good with your hands it's not a hard job and can be done at home.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: College Station Texas
I had to replace mine last year. Picked one up for about $450 brand new and replaced it in my garage. It'll take you an afternoon to replace it but if you have the time it's not too difficult and will save you some benjamins!
Acct Suspended APR 2026 by request
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 10,367
Likes: 1,272
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
ouch!... that is wayyyyy too high... a replacement radiator will cost maybe $150 and the hoses are cheap if you're using rubber... I decided to go ahead and get a samco silicone hose kit when I did my cam and had the radiator out... then add a bottle of dexcool so I would say approx. $200 and a few hours of your time... do it yourself and save that money for more mods
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,360
Likes: 24,783
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
That's way too high for a radiator and two hose replacement job. Like has been said, get a second opinion or just do it yourself with help as needed.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,932
Likes: 4
From: Warrenville Il
I just sent him a link to their site. $200 for an ACDelco unit and $150 for the other name brands. I always had good luck with them. I didn't want to mention their name since I don't know if they're a vender on here.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 55
Likes: 1
From: Fairfax VA
Sorry guys... my car is a 2000 c5 6 speed with 103k miles on it... Its stock besides an exhaust. I'm still curious if they told me the truth that the radiator is leaking or they just wanted a expensive repair bill...I'm planning on buying the radiator online and replacing it with some help... if theres anyone here from northern Va area I would really appreciate it if you could lend a hand!
