J Chen

Well my radiator sprung a little leak.
I see about a table spoon of water
on my garage floor overnight.
Question : If the leak is from the joint
between the plastic end caps & the radiator
core, is there any compound that can be use
to patch up the leak. BTW the radiator is relatively
new.

Thanks

Cyrus951

Well, in the US, Autozone carries the Permatex Quick Solder Radiator Repair Kit.
I think it's just epoxy.

J Chen

Thanks Cyrus

hosrom_951

Did you recently change the thermoswitch (radiator fan switch)? is it leaking from that area?

Bill

J Chen,

If you have not ever removed a radiator, it is not an easy job. If you are going to all that trouble, why do a patch job, only to have it leak again down the road? If a seal on one of the side tanks is failing, it will not be long before the other tank will also fail.

The reason I know this, is my radiator was removed last week. It has failed. I contacted my local Porsche dealership and a new factory plastic radiator is $475. I have decided to get an all aluminum radiator made from Griffin Radiators. The Griffin rep said to make a single radiator it will be around $500, but if I got a group buy, it would be less.

I am going to ship my stock radiator next week. They will use it as a template to fabricate a direct replacement unit. Their radiator will carry a one year guarantee. Some people on this board bought radiators on e-bay for $250, but they do not carry a guarantee and have brass fittings, which I believe could be a problem (electrolosis from disimilar metals).

Are you interested in a group buy?

special tool

Bill - did he ask the price of the Porsche radiator before he gave you that price?

Bill

Lutjen,

No.

The guy was very straight. He said that they had never made a radiator for the 944 but certainly could. His quote was just a rough guess. He based it on the dimensions of 1 1/2" x 2' x 3' that I gave him. He said that once he recieved the stock radiator from me he would give me a firm quote. He also said that the larger the order, the cheaper the cost.

Are you interested?

special tool

yes. I have a leaking driver side tank.

Tom Carson

an extra $250 for a one year guarantee...and what type metal is the temp sensor in the aluminum engine block?

J Chen

Thanks Guys for the advice. Well if it can't be repaired
guess I'll get one made in aluminium. Anyway the radiator
is only about a year & a half old with less than 900 miles
on it.

Claus Groth

I don't know if this adds much value to the thread but a few years ago, my radiator started leaking a little bit like yours. I purchased a radiator form Ian's Euro Auto in Florida (Rennlist sponsor) and planned on installing it when I had time. The leak continued to be small and stopped after a few months and never started again. I drove that car at least two years after that before I parted it out. I still have the new radiator and the radiator that leaked as a spares.

BTW, I think that the Porsche radiator was about $250 but I may have poor recollection. Call Ian.

J Chen

Hos,
Have not located the exact area of the leak yet.

Jeremy Himsel

I would be in for one provided it had more capacity.

J Chen

Thank Claus.

Yes Jeremy, I would increase the capacity notsure
what it cost me though. Will keep you inform.

hosrom_951

Hey Jay,
Just happened to be testing the fan relay, came across a very minor leak from the small hose on the driver's side radiator. The hose clamp was a bit lose, it also leaked enough to get on the thermo-switch (which made it look like it was leaking as well).

If you just check where the leak is coming from, it may turn out to be the same hose. If it is from the plastic sides, well, there is you're excuse for an upgrade LOL!

This is the hose i am referring to: http://forums.rennlist.com/upload/untitled_copy25.jpg

(it is a bit big picture)