996 TT Radiator

[996 turbo]

Guys,

I took the car out for a spin this Sunday and when I returned to the car the was a large pool of coolant by the Passenger side front wheel. The coolant level has dropped from full to min but not lower. I guessing it was a stone through the radiator. This must be fairly commom looking at the lack of protection for the coolers at the front.

To anyone who knows and so I don't get ripped off how long a job is it? How much should I expect to pay for the bits? Anything else I should know about?

I'm going to get them to fit some sort of mesh too. Anyone else had this done? How much?

Cheers, Steve, 996TT

P.S. The other thing is I don't really understand why all the water hasn't gone. Someone said the radiators were Gel filled, is this true?

[_topcat]

Well the radiator change is quite an involved job with the front pu coming off and all the wheel arch liners on the side at fault. air con rads off then loosen and withdraw the rad whilst undoing the hoses. not too bad but i would say a couple of hours to do it right. The rads are just water filled. there are three rads and i belive there is a valving system to utilise the cooling system. dont quote me on this though.
You could do this yourself if you have the time and patience.
Rads are around £120 each. its the coolent thats expensive. Should cost around £70 .
Good luck.
TC

[cyrus1971]

I remember a thread about very early (June to Nov -2000) 996 Turbo radiators rusting up. If you replace suggest you find out if the 02 model year will fit and use these instead and remove one possible risk.

[grant3]

Is it definitely the radiator that is punctured as the air conditioning condensor will drop a fair amount of water from the front end, particularly in warm conditions. Probably best to get the system pressure tested at your Porker dealer, but may end up being ok, I hope so.

[996 turbo]

Hopefully I'm having it looked at tomorrow. So I'll let you know. Has anyone else bothered to get mesh fitted behind the standard grill?

Steve, 996TT

[996 turbo]

My flaming rear spoiler has stopped now. It's up with a warning light and won't go down. Any ideas?

Steve, 996TT

[Cyrus1971]

Rear spoilers use a light fluid to push it up and pull it down. Can get stuck in place if pump knackered or fluid has leaked out - hear of this on a 2000 996TT. No idea where the reservoir is though.

[BrendonJ]

Same thing happened on my beemer, tried a radiator stop leak (liquid), didnt work. Then a mechanic mate reccomended a radiator stop leak that has metal bits as well in it (slightly smaller than a can of red bull). Pour it into a warm radiator with engine running. The metal melts and forms a seal over the hole. Sorted.

[clubsport]

BrendonJ said:

Same thing happened on my beemer, tried a radiator stop leak (liquid), didnt work. Then a mechanic mate reccomended a radiator stop leak that has metal bits as well in it (slightly smaller than a can of red bull). Pour it into a warm radiator with engine running. The metal melts and forms a seal over the hole. Sorted.

Fine, but surely a temporary repair...if you were unfortuante to require any warranty work on the engine, i can't see Porsche being happy that you had poured this stuff into the cooling system.
Considering the cost of engine replacement, i would definitely do the job properly.

[996 turbo]

cyrus1971 said:

I remember a thread about very early (June to Nov -2000) 996 Turbo radiators rusting up. If you replace suggest you find out if the 02 model year will fit and use these instead and remove one possible risk.

I took the car in to my local OPC the other day to have a look at my leaky radiator. It turned out to be corrosion along the bottom seam. That's why it's been stopping and starting, the little bits of rust block the holes as they form. Anyway it's booked in and is covered by waranty.

The rear spoiler has fixed itself for now...

Cheers, Steve, 996TT

[toby tucker]

I had a similar prob with both front rads rusting thru' on my '01 TT within 12 months of new- both rads replaced under warranty - prob was caused by build up damp leaves/debris behind the front grills - OPC should remove any debris with small attachment to vaccum cleaner at service interval.