sstrickstein

I need some input about a repair being done to my radiator. I have a 1984 928S with automatic transmission. My car was running hot so I pulled the radiator and sent it to the local Performance Radiator. They pulled it apart and it was almost plugged. They cleaned it out and the "Header" was leaking on one side. They say the metal is too thin to weld so they use an epoxy to repair these. They told me they have had a lot of success with the process. No warranty will be offered, but if he cant get the thing to seal he will not charge me. I have a used reconditioned available to me for a reasonable price. Of course the repair job is much less. Has anyone had this "Epoxy" done to their radiator and what success have you had.

Thanks

ammonman

Are they perhaps referring to the tube sheet? The end tanks are plastic and available from the "Big 3" 928 vendors along with new gaskets. The only metal part I can think that they would be talking about would be the flat sheet of aluminum that each tube of the radiator is connected to. I say try the repair. If it does leak I doubt it will be from a catastrophic failure so it should give plenty of warning and thus time to source another radiator.

Mike

sstrickstein

Well I got the radiator back in the car and wow is she running cooler. Hope the repair holds.

FredR

Just keep an eye on the temp gauge- if the repair fails the radiator will not hold pressure, it will not cool correctly and the indicated temprature will increase. One thing I have learned on my cars in general is that if the temp needle moves away from where it normally sits [all things being equal] do not wait for it to move into "the red zone" before investigating. My daughter's car recently lost the radiator seal- she probably did not see the needle indicator move on the dash and by the time she cottoned on that something was wrong the heads had warped. The resulting repair [engine out, heads off, skimming etc] cost about $1000 more than it might have had it been just a radiator job.

Which ever way you look at it - your repair has to be better than what you had previously- good luck.

Regards

Fred

Bill Ball

We've now had two epoxy leak repairs done on George Suennen's radiator. First leaks was due to an abrasion from and aftermarket fan shroud eating into one tube. Most recent was due to a dropped tool. The first repair was a year ago and has been tested up to 210 MPH (not making that up).

sstrickstein

And of course since I removed the trans cooler lines....... now the top one is weeping. Time for another trip to the hose repair shop.

dr bob

Curious if you know what method was used to clean out the radiator. Plus did you get a look at where they actually did the epoxy repair? Pics are always good if you have them.