radiator replacement
Discussion
The passenger side radiator has sprung a leak on my wifes Boxster. I have found new ones available on Ebay, question is how difficult are they to change?
It looks like it can be accessed by removing the inner wheel arch plastic liner. Is the radiator fixed in place behind this cover or do I need to remove the front bumper?
It looks like it can be accessed by removing the inner wheel arch plastic liner. Is the radiator fixed in place behind this cover or do I need to remove the front bumper?
I'd suggest buying the rads from www.eurocarparts.com with discount code JUBILEE30 for % off - likely to be cheaper and a big company to deal with if you have any issues.
It's absolutely not possible to do without removing the bumper. There's no way to get at the retaining frame for starters.
You will need to remove the wheel arch liners and the bumper to get at them. It's also a decent sized job in terms of time, albeit nothing too difficult work wise providing you are comfortable around cars, be prepared to get super hacked off though. Getting all the air out the coolant system can be a pita though as others have said.
To remove the bumper on a 986 you need to pop out the headlights and remove the side indicators. Take off trim where latch is, there's two screws underneath. One screw through each indicator light frame and several underneath the car. There's also a screw on each side that goes vertically upwards behind the indicator frame. They aren't obvious though should be easy enough to see with the arch liners out.
There should be plenty bumper removal DIYs with photos if you search online.
Radiators sit in a metal frame. One nut and two bolts to remove. Then you have to disassemble the radiator itself from the frame, fan unit etc.
You will need to remove the wheel arch liners and the bumper to get at them. It's also a decent sized job in terms of time, albeit nothing too difficult work wise providing you are comfortable around cars, be prepared to get super hacked off though. Getting all the air out the coolant system can be a pita though as others have said.
To remove the bumper on a 986 you need to pop out the headlights and remove the side indicators. Take off trim where latch is, there's two screws underneath. One screw through each indicator light frame and several underneath the car. There's also a screw on each side that goes vertically upwards behind the indicator frame. They aren't obvious though should be easy enough to see with the arch liners out.
There should be plenty bumper removal DIYs with photos if you search online.
Radiators sit in a metal frame. One nut and two bolts to remove. Then you have to disassemble the radiator itself from the frame, fan unit etc.
Edited by fioran0 on Wednesday 6th June 01:13
Apart from not scratching the bumper on the lights? For the 2 mins it takes to pull the lights it makes no sense to leave them in.
There is no way the rads will come out with the bumper on there. There's no room to get at or manoeuvre the frame for starters even if you disconnected the hoses at the metal pipes in the wheel well (since you won't get to the ends on the rad itself with the bumper in place).
The air ducting also screws to the radiator itself and is bigger than the hole into the arch (even with the diagonal support brace removed)
I just put new rads and new hoses onto one of my 996 cups. It's still sitting there with the bumpers off.
There is no way the rads will come out with the bumper on there. There's no room to get at or manoeuvre the frame for starters even if you disconnected the hoses at the metal pipes in the wheel well (since you won't get to the ends on the rad itself with the bumper in place).
The air ducting also screws to the radiator itself and is bigger than the hole into the arch (even with the diagonal support brace removed)
I just put new rads and new hoses onto one of my 996 cups. It's still sitting there with the bumpers off.
Edited by fioran0 on Wednesday 6th June 01:54
you also thought you could fit something out of a hole it was larger than. if you feel that the headlight is flimsy then its up to you, i am merely suggesting an alternative that adds 2 minutes to the job time, if that, and which i feel is beneficial. the OP can decide which he feels most comfortable with.
looking at your pic now im on a computer. AC rads would also add to the list of reasons why the rads cant be removed through the arch with bumper in place. the ac pipework wouldnt allow the radiator to move and trying would damage the AC hard piping.
looking at your pic now im on a computer. AC rads would also add to the list of reasons why the rads cant be removed through the arch with bumper in place. the ac pipework wouldnt allow the radiator to move and trying would damage the AC hard piping.
Edited by fioran0 on Wednesday 6th June 12:04
First ever post anywhere!
Guys, you certainly know your stuff, shame to get a little personal?
Anyway, I too replaced my near side radiator a couple of weeks ago (2001 3.2l).
I have never worked on a car before (possible some points & plugs 30 years ago). I think it would be impossible to do with bumper on (I read that you could in the book - "101 projects for your Porsche Boxster" (Recommended), or somewhere else?
It never crossed my mind to take headlights out, I didn't have a problem getting bumper on / off, on my own. The screw that goes into side indicator from below could catch you out (guilty!) (I don't think the book mentioned that one).
OK - Reason for post - I bought the Rad from Design911 web shop for £87.50 + vat. I bought service kit / pads / oil / coolant etc, etc, and did all service work myself - it was a good way to get to know my car (plugs are tricky though without vehicle lift). I know the downside is no stamp in service book but I think I will keep Penelope for a long time anyway. Design911 get 10/10 for top service / delivery etc by the way.
Cheers to all
Statham
Guys, you certainly know your stuff, shame to get a little personal?
Anyway, I too replaced my near side radiator a couple of weeks ago (2001 3.2l).
I have never worked on a car before (possible some points & plugs 30 years ago). I think it would be impossible to do with bumper on (I read that you could in the book - "101 projects for your Porsche Boxster" (Recommended), or somewhere else?
It never crossed my mind to take headlights out, I didn't have a problem getting bumper on / off, on my own. The screw that goes into side indicator from below could catch you out (guilty!) (I don't think the book mentioned that one).
OK - Reason for post - I bought the Rad from Design911 web shop for £87.50 + vat. I bought service kit / pads / oil / coolant etc, etc, and did all service work myself - it was a good way to get to know my car (plugs are tricky though without vehicle lift). I know the downside is no stamp in service book but I think I will keep Penelope for a long time anyway. Design911 get 10/10 for top service / delivery etc by the way.
Cheers to all
Statham
sta said:
First ever post anywhere!
Guys, you certainly know your stuff, shame to get a little personal?
Anyway, I too replaced my near side radiator a couple of weeks ago (2001 3.2l).
I have never worked on a car before (possible some points & plugs 30 years ago). I think it would be impossible to do with bumper on (I read that you could in the book - "101 projects for your Porsche Boxster" (Recommended), or somewhere else?
It never crossed my mind to take headlights out, I didn't have a problem getting bumper on / off, on my own. The screw that goes into side indicator from below could catch you out (guilty!) (I don't think the book mentioned that one).
OK - Reason for post - I bought the Rad from Design911 web shop for £87.50 + vat. I bought service kit / pads / oil / coolant etc, etc, and did all service work myself - it was a good way to get to know my car (plugs are tricky though without vehicle lift). I know the downside is no stamp in service book but I think I will keep Penelope for a long time anyway. Design911 get 10/10 for top service / delivery etc by the way.
Cheers to all
Statham
Did you have ay problems bleeding the system to get rid of the air?
Guys, you certainly know your stuff, shame to get a little personal?
Anyway, I too replaced my near side radiator a couple of weeks ago (2001 3.2l).
I have never worked on a car before (possible some points & plugs 30 years ago). I think it would be impossible to do with bumper on (I read that you could in the book - "101 projects for your Porsche Boxster" (Recommended), or somewhere else?
It never crossed my mind to take headlights out, I didn't have a problem getting bumper on / off, on my own. The screw that goes into side indicator from below could catch you out (guilty!) (I don't think the book mentioned that one).
OK - Reason for post - I bought the Rad from Design911 web shop for £87.50 + vat. I bought service kit / pads / oil / coolant etc, etc, and did all service work myself - it was a good way to get to know my car (plugs are tricky though without vehicle lift). I know the downside is no stamp in service book but I think I will keep Penelope for a long time anyway. Design911 get 10/10 for top service / delivery etc by the way.
Cheers to all
Statham
Did you have ay problems bleeding the system to get rid of the air?
The Snail said:
I just bought my 00' 3.2S as seen on poverty pork thread, and it was very well serviced to be fair, but it needed all 4 coolant & AC rads due to corrosion....... FFS!
Forums | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff