Help! my radiator plastic inlet hose just broke :(

[Yoni_d]

Hi Guys

While I was driving happily, suddenly some nice guy shouted to me that a lot of water draining from my car! I stopped the car and I saw the the upper radiator inlet plastic hose just broke so the upper rubber hose is not connected to the radiator anymore

I have attached a picture where I circled in red the inlet plastic hose


I was able to connect the rubber hose to a little of the hose that was still attached to the radiator and I was manged to get home safely after I refilled the water.

I have 2 questions:

1) Do you think that it can be possible to make a small metal hose that can be fit on the leftovers of the original plastic hose (there is about 0.5 inch left)?

2) If not, where can I find this radiator tank part (I marked it in blue in the attached picture) and do I have to buy 2 or one?

Thanks!

[Damstrom]

You need to buy a new tank and and gasket and then take it to a radiator shop to get it swapped. And no, don't take a short cut and use the stub that's left.

[neil30076]

My tank broke in the exact same place, and I did put a metal tube into the broken off piece and glued it with epoxy. However, it only lasted a month or 2, and broke again. Yes, you can get the end cap and have it replaced by a Behr radiator specialist -
928 International-Radiator Tank W/2 Cooler Holes

[Yoni_d]

Thanks guys! I just look at the link, I saw that there is a radiator tank with 2 cooler holes and without cooler holes....what do I need?
Also, do I need 2 of those also for the other side?

[neil30076]

If your car is an automatic it needs the 2 cooler connection on the right side, just like the photo above. I would replace the other side at the same time, but not absolutely needed in my opinion.

[MPDano]

Hi Yoni, some have none. In reality, one side is for the Oil Cooling and the other Trans Fluid Cooling (Autos). On yours, did you have any hoses connected to the single side cooler? If not, go with a no cooler design, it's cheaper. I know I forked over $600 for a dual cooler on my Euro. Used too.

[Yoni_d]

The tanks are sold at the same price...If I remember correctly, I had no other hoses connected beside the upper and the lower one.

[MPDano]

I think if you feel confident on installing those end tanks, then go for it. I personally don't feel confident in doing this sort of stuff. If you can find a good used no cooler radiator from 928 intl, then go for it. It's got a warranty and good service.

[Yoni_d]

I agree, but since I have to ship it to Israel - it can be very expansive I know a very professional place that will be able to fit those tanks to the radiator.

[MPDano]

I wonder how much you would have to caox this guy in shipping this overseas. $170 buy it now

Porsche 928 automatic cooling radiator GREAT CONDITION V8 parts 1980 1981 1979 | eBay

[Yoni_d]

Thanks! I will check the shipment price. it will be probably about 70$..

[gbgastowers]

You can get plastic end tank or tanks and seals from Roger. The installation is not too bad if you follow the forum directions which I can provide if you want. Gunar

[Yoni_d]

Originally Posted by gbgastowers

You can get plastic end tank or tanks and seals from Roger. The installation is not too bad if you follow the forum directions which I can provide if you want. Gunar

I will appreciate it if you can provide me some instructions and maybe a link to Roger.

Also, can you please let me know if this item looks ok:

BRAND NEW PORSCHE 928 S1 S2 S4 RADIATOR END TANKS | eBay

Thanks!

[Yoni_d]

One more thing, are those aluminium radiators? I am asking because the radiator suggested by MPDano looks very tempting but some people told me that if it wasnt in use for some time, the radiator can rust from the inside...what do you think?

[neil30076]

Sure, roger is at :
sales@************

Phone ( in US) (+1) 817.430.2688

[ammonman]

As gbgastowers said there are installation instructions with pics available here or on Rennlist. The best method is the one that does not bend each retaining tab but rather bends the whole flange out slightly. The tabs are brittle and tend to snap off. When I changed the tanks on mine I pressure tested it before I put it back in the car. I found a rubber expandable plug at the hardware store to cap one of the large hose connections. The small connection was easy to cap with spare bits around the garage. I borrowed a cooling system pressure tester from the local parts house. Cap one large hose connector with the expanding plug after capping the small bleed fitting. Fill the radiator with water. Insert the tester into the other large hose connector and pressurize to 1 bar. Mine has worked flawlessly for two years now in +100F heat.

Mike

[Xlot]

This picture has an unusual radiator type - some European cars had an external engine oil cooler (UK market mostly), so no cooler on the left-side of the car, and this one shown is from an automatic gearbox car, hence the right-side cooler.




Is your car manual or automatic?
Presumably the broken connection is the top one on the right-side of the car? (most common area for failure as it gets a constant stream of hot coolant from the engine)

If your car is manual, you need a replacement end-tank that has no holes (there is no right-side cooler in the radiator on manual cars for any model year).

If your car is an automatic, for your year, it will have a cooler in the right-side of the radiator that connects to the transmission, so you'll need a replacement tank with no holes.

Here's a pictorial write-up on how to change the tank:

(I've changed the right-side tank on two radiators, both for manual S4's, using a technique similar to this).

Changing radiator end tanks without breaking tabs - Rennlist Discussion Forums

[Normy]

1. No.

2. 928 International.com

-DON'T even think about an aftermarket radiator! If you buy an aftermarket radiator, then you run the risk of leaks within 3 years. I bought one for $800 from the now DEFUNCT Devek and it failed after a little more than 3 years. It developed leaks in the tubes near the bottom, indicating poor material. I change my coolant every other year.

928 International now sells an aftermarket radiator; They are the BEST company in the auto parts business in my opinion, but their radiator is fairly new. Buy it at your own risk-

The original radiator is made by a German paint company, Behr. You'll find their latex at every Home Depot in the country. That's not very reassuring, but the typical Behr radiator lasts 15 years in a 928, even with indifferent maintenance.

Stick to the original parts in this instance. If you cannot get the cooler, try an aftermarket cooler.

N!

[Yoni_d]

Thanks guys!
Xlot, my car is manual and the picture I posted is just a sample picture. Thanks for the link!

Normy, I will check with the guy on eBay if his radiator is the original BEHR radiator. if so, I guess I will buy it instead of working with the replacement tanks.

[MPDano]

Pretty sure the ad I posted from ebay was a Behr, but for sure needs to be verified. It also looks like his ad ended with no bids which gives you some leverage. Good luck!