GT3 radiator screen install + huge mess >>
 

After reading many of your recommendations when I first purchased the GT3 I went ahead and ordered the cargraphic screen kit from sharkwerks. I knew I was on my own for the bumper removal, but the kit didn't come with instructions for actually installing the screens. It did, however, come with black adhesive which I wound up not using.

So, off we go. First step in the process was opening the trunk to unscrew the... hmmm. Something smells rank.

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So I start pulling the floor panel up and discover the something has leaked all over the place.

http://www.squarewave.com/army/andre...ens/image2.jpg

I give you Porsche's non-newtonian tire sealant:

http://www.squarewave.com/army/andre...ens/image1.jpg

Thanks Porsche. I don't know what the hell happened here, but It took half the day to clean. This crap ate through my gloves and smelled like plastic death. Looks like the bottle gave up the ghost. Is it normal for the tire sealant to explode after 6 years?



Ok - moving on. This link helped for the bumper removal and so did this one.

+ I pulled the front wheels to gain better access to the wheel liner
+ unscrewed the various torx screws holding the bumper and wheel liner
+ I did not pull headlights or side markers

I didn't want to remove the headlights and I had heard you didn't have to, so I built this little picker and grabbed the clips that people remove the headlights to reach.

http://www.squarewave.com/army/andre...ens/image4.jpg

I thought I was being really clever until I found this post while I was typing this sentence.

http://www.squarewave.com/army/andre...ens/image5.jpg

Bumper is off and I cleaned out 6 years of crap from the ducts.

http://www.squarewave.com/army/andre...ens/image6.jpg

On the sharkwerks site it looks as if they fasten the screens to the ducts on the car and not on the bumper. It wasn't totally clear how they were fastening them though. I wound up drilling small holes in the ducts and fastening with twisty ties. I didn't want to use the adhesive because frankly, I was done with that for the day.

http://www.squarewave.com/army/andre...ens/image7.jpg

Can't wait to get out there and test drive my new oil, plugs, filters, wipers and radiator screens! Only 2 months to go until Massachusetts defrosts.

Eww what a mess! And glad you got it worked out.

The way James does these is to drill small holes in the inner black bumper shrouding as you did, then he uses small zip ties to fasten them in place. It sounds like what you did should work. :)

Good job. Sorry about the mess. :mad:

I just zip tied mine in but to inside of the bumper. Did this last summer and so far so good. Probably looks better up close the way you did it.

Maybe I should check my tire goo stuff and make sure it is in some explosion proof package.

Can't wait for snow to melt here and stay away. Still several months though.

OK, great. Exactly what I did too. I have to ask - what was the adhesive for?

Also, I wrote Porsche about the tire sealant. At the very least I'd like them to send me a new bottle. This crap is $50. I won't hold my breath.

Hi Andrew,
Apparently Cargraphic wants people to install using that adhesive. I wouldn't recommend it :)

Ah. Now I get it.

UPDATE: I contacted Porsche Cars North America regarding the sealant exploding and making a mess of the trunk. They got back to me today with a $100 voucher for a Porsche dealer near me. Good for service, parts, etc.

I'm a little surprised. Well done Porsche.

on RS#2569 I had a flat during a rally and i grabbed that stupid bag of sealant. When i squeezed the bag it exploded all over the door of the car and got on my clothes and steering wheel..... f-sakes....

My bottle from RS#2356 is safely in my basement. I will never ever use it except for concours events :)

The folks who install them in Germany must be still laughing at us suckers...

Next time i am at the porsche factory im going ask for the engineer who decided on this sealant and im going to lay the broken bag down on his desk and kick him square in the balls with no exchange of words.

How much do you wanna bet he understands 100%? :)

AHAHHAHahahAHHAHAHhahaha.

Brilliant. I have a feeling this stuff never sticks inside a tire, but sticks like a shadow to anything else. I am, of course, going to buy another bottle of it - double bagged this time.

im going to try a bottle of that green "Slime" product... With the factory compressor it should be a good little get home fix.....

I dont think i could ever rely on the porsche snot in a bottle ever again.... it tore at the seams...

So many great parts, and a kick ass design. Why does Porsche keep making these mistakes on the simplest parts. Sorry for you wasted half a day. I think those screens will serve you well.