Launching in Surrey
Cooling system repair quotes
Post the job free with your registration and postcode. Garages on Matchanic can see it and choose whether to quote, and you only go ahead if you accept one. Matchanic is new and launching in Surrey, so there may be few or no garages on Matchanic near the car yet.
If the temperature warning comes on
- Stop when it’s safe to, and switch off the engine.
- Don’t open the radiator or expansion tank cap while the engine is hot: the coolant is under pressure and can scald.
- Once the engine has cooled, check the coolant level against the marks on the expansion tank. The handbook shows where it is.
- If you’re stuck at the roadside, call your breakdown provider. If the car is somewhere safe and shouldn’t be driven, you can post a mobile mechanic callout. Garages see a callout like any other job and choose whether to quote, so there’s no set response time. It isn’t a breakdown or emergency service.
Signs your car may need this
- The temperature gauge higher than normal, or a coolant or temperature warning light.
- Steam from under the bonnet.
- Coolant under the car, or a sweet smell.
- The coolant level dropping between top-ups.
- The heater blowing cold (see Air con and heating).
- The radiator fan not running, or running all the time.
Jobs you can ask garages to quote for
The jobs you can choose for this when you post. Pick the one that fits, or the closest, and add the detail under ‘Anything else’.
- Water pump replacement
- Radiator replacement
- Thermostat replacement
- Coolant hose replacement
- Coolant leak repair
- Expansion tank replacement
- Radiator fan replacement
- Coolant temperature sensor replacement
- Heater matrix replacement
- Cooling system pressure test
- Overheating repair
What affects the price
Each garage sets its own price. These are the things that usually make the difference.
- Which part has failed. A hose or a thermostat is usually a smaller job than a radiator or a water pump.
- Where the water pump is. On some engines the cambelt drives it and the two are changed together.
- Whether the leak has to be found first. ‘Cooling system pressure test’ is a job of its own.
- The coolant your car needs, and refilling and bleeding air from the system afterwards.
- Whether overheating has caused other damage, which a garage would need to check.
What to tell the garage
Say what you saw: the gauge, a warning light, steam, or coolant under the car and its colour. Say how often you’ve been topping up the coolant, and whether the heater still works.
If you know the failed part, choose it. If you don’t, ‘Overheating repair’ here, or ‘Overheating diagnosis’ under Diagnostics, asks a garage to find the cause.
Questions about cooling systems
Can I keep driving if the engine is overheating?
No. Stop when it’s safe and switch off: carrying on can damage the engine, for example the head gasket. Let it cool before you check anything.
Can I top up the coolant with water?
Your handbook says which coolant your car takes. Plain water dilutes the antifreeze and its protection against corrosion, so if you’ve added water, tell the garage. ‘Coolant change’ is a job under Car servicing.
What’s a cooling system pressure test?
The garage pressurises the cooling system to find where coolant is escaping, including small leaks that only show when the engine is hot. It’s the place to start when the level keeps dropping and there’s no obvious leak.
What is the heater matrix?
A small radiator behind the dashboard that heats the air for the cabin. A leaking one can cause damp carpets, a sweet smell or a misted windscreen. ‘Heater matrix replacement’ is on the list, and the dashboard often has to come apart to reach it.
Related jobs
Guides
Start with your registration
Posting a job is free, and you don’t have to accept a quote.
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