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How Much Do Intercooler Repairs Cost?

By Zunsport - 3rd May, 2024


Intercoolers are found in many modern supercharged and turbocharged cars and are used to cool compressed air being released from the engine. Intercoolers work a little bit like a radiator, in that they create a heat transfer exchange from the heat produced by the engine.


To get the most out of your engine, an intercooler can help by ensuring the engine doesn’t run too hot.

If something goes wrong with your intercooler, there are a few factors that go into overall costs for repairs. Things such as your car, the brand of the intercooler and even the retailer can affect the overall intercooler repair cost. To give you a good idea of what to expect with intercooler repairs UK wide, we are going to run through how much an intercooler repair should cost.

When To Repair An Intercooler

Generally speaking, you will know when something is wrong with your intercooler. Increased fuel consumption, heavy smoke from the exhaust and a noticeable drop in power are all signs of a damaged intercooler.

To avoid damaging your engine, it is always recommended that you replace the turbo if it has failed. This ensures that there is no debris present in the intercooler, such as oil, metal or particulate matter.

The Cost Of Labour

There will be some variability in costing labour when repairing an intercooler, depending on the type of system in place. Side-mounted intercoolers are generally easier to deal with than front-mounted ones, which can lower the overall cost of labour. Other issues, such as the intricacy of the repair work, will depend on whether or not specialist tools are needed.

As a rule of thumb, intercooler repairs can be expected to run for around 3 hours. Of course, this is not a set rule but a good indication of average repair times.

The Cost Of Intercooler Replacement

Due to the complex nature of intercooler repair, it is often a better idea to replace the entire component. Not only can this work out cheaper than a repair, but you get the added benefit of enjoying a brand-new component that will last longer. The average cost of replacing an intercooler is somewhere around £1,000 to £1,500.

Depending on the type of intercool problem you're dealing with, such as intercooler pipe repair, then it might make more sense to go for a full replacement instead. Factoring in labour and parts, repairs will cost the same and sometimes more than a replacement intercooler.

Contact the experts at Zunsport to find out how high-quality car grilles can protect your intercooler and minimise future wear down.


Image Source: iStock