MIlking a radiator

[Sapientoni]

My first Porsche and 928 was an '81 with 176,000 miles. When I changed the leaking radiator I noticed it was completely symetrical. I believe if you have one of these and "flip" the radiator around 120,000 miles, you will be rewarded with double the life expectancy because the failure cause is expansion by the hot coolant on the entry side of the radiator. The out flowing side looked great. For the $600 (memory slips) cost, I'd have certainly tried that had I known before it was leaking. For the record, I think if you plastic weld a leaking radiator, you are welding tired plastic and another failure is imminent. If you flip the welded radiator, you might improve your chances of extending life. I'd welcome feedback on your experiences.

[924CarreraGTP]

It's interesting what you are saying. I'm not sure I would try that unless I blew a side tank seal between Jackson Mississippi and Mobile Alabama, but it's an interesting idea. I blew a seal on my '84 and I pulled the tank off the side of the radiator. I broke most of the tabs off that hold the tank to the side of the radiator because it's what looks like pot aluminum. I'm not sure how this is done by professionals but it probably involves heat to soften the metal tabs. I know they can be pulled off and fixed with a new seal because after I failed to fix that radiator, I gave up and bought a used radiator from 928 international for $400. It was remanufactured and they obviously knew how to bend the tabs without breaking them off. Shortly after I bought my '83, I went to rob a spoiler off of a parts car and got another radiator as a back up for one of my cars just in case. I paid $50 for it. That's why when you find a 928 in a junk yard, your a$$ better pull that radiator that day because you're better off paying $50 for a used one rather than $1,100 for a new one plus $50 for shipping. lol
A two tank radiator with transmission cooler and oil cooler is $1,100 last I checked. Really thinking about it. Maybe the tabs on the assembly come off in a ring around the tank seal. I'm still not sure, but people do fix the tanks when the seals blow. It can be done.

[SanDiego928]

Originally Posted by 924CarreraGTP

I know they can be pulled off and fixed with a new seal because after I failed to fix that radiator, I gave up and bought a used radiator from 928 international for $400. It was remanufactured and they obviously knew how to bend the tabs without breaking them off.

I am trying to fix my leaking passenger side right now. I found a shop which is a 'plastic radiator specialist' near me yesterday after contacting 10 shops.

Spring Valley, CA. near San Diego - 'Arts Radiator Shop' There were hundreds of used tanks and radiators all around. A good sign I think.

I almost went with 928intl. used radiators until they told me 2 days ago that these are not re-manufactured. Just used. That changed my mind for buying a used one. I may give them a call back since this is the third time I have read 're-manufactured' versus just used.

Anyhow, I am thinking of using the above shop for replacing the side tank. Part is 100 and labor most likely 100 I would imagine.

[Dean_Fuller]

Roger at 928's R US has BRAND NEW BEHR radiators with side tanks for $799. Perfect fit.

Behr Factory Two cooler Radiators $799 - Rennlist Discussion Forums

[924CarreraGTP]

The one I bought from 928 international was definitely remanufactured because the tab housings that held the tanks to each side had been jostled. What it looked like is that they bent the tab housing itself just enough to get the tank out from under the tabs. Whatever they did it was 4 years ago and the radiator still works perfectly. 928intls used parts have a year warranty. There's more to this story though. The other radiator that I pulled out of the '86 was bought from 928 international by whoever owned the car, but it did not have the bent remanufactured look of the one I paid $400 for. Maybe they used to have them rebuilt, but now just sell them used. I'm not sure.
Sandiego928, the tank seals can be bought from 928intl too. Why would they sell just the tank seals if they know what a PITA it is to do it yourself? It looks like it takes a specialist to fix one. That's what I didn't understand.

[gbgastowers]

Get the correct plastic end tank or tanks from Roger http://www.************/ along with the seals. The passenger side is exposed to more heat and usually is the leaky side. Follow this post exactly once the parts arrive and it will fix the leak http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/928-forum/506969-changing-radiator-end-tanks-without-breaking-tabs.html?referrerid=45339. I have had no leaks in the year since I did it. See the pics towards the bottom of this page. First 928 -The story(nightmare?)begins Gunar

[924CarreraGTP]

Yep. I thought so. I might not be able to tell you how to do it, but I can reverse engineer someone else's repair. I bet in a pinch you could use two 2x2 pieces of wood and clamps to reclamp the sides. Fancy tools are expensive for us shade trees.

[SanDiego928]

Thanks all. Much appreciative of all the information. That wite up I saw on rlist blows me away the skill of many people. Many diferent ways to fix and varying levels of cash 185 to 800+.

Flipping the radiator is rather creative I think.

[Sapientoni]

I was suggesting that you flip the radiator over at around 120,000 miles if you have one that has that low of mileage. I think some "racing radiators" are cheaper than the factory ones now. I have heard of end tank replacement, but would care for that unless it was dirt cheap and guaranteed. A guy I work with just got a new discount (asian?) radiator and the end caps leaked out of the box. The rad shop guy said he'd seen a lot like that. This wasn't a Porsche, it was a Ford truck.

[19psi]

I like the flip idea. Sort of like rotating your tires to even out the wear over time.

Now what is so special about these radiators to warrant the $800 price tag? Yes I know it's a Porsche part, but we're talking aftermarket on a 50,000+ production run car.

If I had a higher mileage "just for fun" 928 that I wasn't worried about originality on, I'd be retrofitting a brand new universal performance type radiator. Used is just asking for trouble and probably as much as a new universal.

[924CarreraGTP]

I read something about the now defunct Devek using a radiator made by Fluidyne. I think that was the brand.