NoVector

I bought mine 10 years ago from Devek when they used to have them built by Ron Davis Radiators. Ron Davis is still in business; maybe worth calling... http://www.rondavisradiators.com/radgallery.htm

James Bailey

Ron Davis was not interested in making them one at a time and his warranty is Zero miles , zero months he makes radiators for race cars and they never have any warranty !

Tails

JCP

Have you considered cleaning your radiator internally and externally?

I live where we have some extremes in climate, we had up to 42 degrees last summer and I have no problems with my original radiator (brass core that is now 20 year old.

I recently did some repairs on my wife's car's aluminium radiator. I found that the external fins were approximately 20 blocked with rubbish and an oily gunk, so I gave it a gentle hight pressure wash with a detergent and cleaned it up. I also read that the internal tube can be cleaned by taking off the end covers and "punching" through the tubes very carefully.

The radiators are usually manufactured with excess capacity and a few tubes can be blanked off if required and the external fins can take some fouling.

When I drive in hot weather and if my engine moves into the 90 degree C range in traffic, I turn on the airconditioning, which immediately start both the electrical fans operating at full speed and this will immediately bring down the engine coolant temperature.

Tails 1990 928S4 Auto

Jascd

I have the bob Davis radiator via Devek. Had it in for 5 years, no issues still looks new, added the decals after. Only thing to note is that his radiator required some fitting, they don't just drop in -my mechanic had to move the shroud a little. Also, there is a line of the top that is angled for a lefthand drive car not a RHD , the line can still be fitted but has to bend back on itself. At the time I was quoted NZ$4,000 for the Behr via the local Porsche agent. The Devek was around NZ$1,600, no real trouble with the decision.

Mike LaBranche

The 928Intl CR rad is a beast. Highly recommended...

S4ordie

Jason where did you get the decals/stickers for the radiator?

JCP1990S4

Thanks Tails

The problem that I have is I drive the car mainly on road trips and over the summer its over 100 degrees. Often in the 110's. I was told by an extremely reliable tech locally that the 928's radiators are good for 100 degress f. Above that they are not so great. The new on is a little larger and better, I have been told.

Thanks for your comments.

rluvsporsche

I agree with his observation. I too had issues with keeping my car cool back in 2002. I end up buying a Ron Davis radiator from Devek. It did not last. It leaked during the winter and had it replaced under warranty. Six month later it started to leak again. Devek and Ron Davis told me it's because I did not follow the instructions using specified fluid and electrolysis crap. After unsuccessful attempts to get it replaced under warranty I gave up. Luckily I did not throw away my OEM radiator. I took it to a local radiator shop had it clean and had the plastic piece re-crimped and pressure tested. To this date it's worked perfect. I've driving the car around the country and still no over heating problems. IMO the cheapest is the OEM. Figure it last 20 yrs divide by 1k cost that equates to $50 per year and that's not cheap.

Lizard928

Tails,

the factory units do not have a copper core....

Jascd

My ron davis radiator has welded tanks, looks very solid. Regarding the decals, I think I got them from 928 specialists, but it was five years ago so not too sure.

James Bailey

Perhaps because they were taking some heat.....the later Ron Davis Racing/ DEVEK may have been welded...I think they might also have started using the bigger GM heat exchangers more like the originals rather than the smaller oil coolers initially fitted ....But makes little difference since they are no longer available. The comments on electrolysis always make me wonder since the core of the Behr is ALSO aluminum.....and it has no such issue ! I have the 928 International Aluminum Rad in the very brown 1980 took out what was a good used Behr unit at the time.....

Rob M Budd

I had a Ron Davis Radiator in my 928 a few years back
Bought new.
Leaked within 3 months.
Called Ron Davis, they said send it back to them.
They get it, and agree it leaks. $100 plus shipping to fix it.
Warranty!!!?? What Warranty!!!??
Get it back in about 3 weeks.
Took it to a local shop to test it before I put it in.
It now had 3 leaks instead of one.
Call Ron Davis. "Sorry about that." After complaining they refund the $100. " Try some Alumiseal. It works for us."
They don't do their own repairs, they sent it out & had no idea if it was tested after the repair.
Took it to 3 different local shops. "Sorry we can try, but that type of radiator can't be fixed unless its taken apart and completely re-welded. It would be easier to build a new one."
I took the oil cooler out and sold it for scrap.

James Bailey

OUCH !

SnakeFeeder

I can thoroughly recommend the C&R radiator from 928 international. It's thicker than the stock unit...all aluminium (aluminum lol), so no plastic side tanks. Cools better and cheaper than original. The only thing to bear in mind is that it will sit about 4mm higher - so you will need to trim the rubber mounts at the bottom. There's a thread somewhere with pics on this.