Radiator Vendor Suggestion
#16
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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
#17
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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 !
#18
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
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
#19
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Location: Wellington, New Zealand
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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.
#21
Not the sharpest tool in the shed
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#22
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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.
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.
#23
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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.
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.
#25
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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.
#26
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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.....
#27
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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.
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.
#29
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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.