Radiator change

[R129 300SL]

Hi

Am changing both radiators and condensers on a c4s.

Has anyone any experience using EIS radiators from Carparts4less? Aka Eurocarparts.

The radiators have arrived and are packaged as EIS Germany. The original ones on the car are made by AKG who have been bought out by hella/behr. Managed to get them for 150 each delivered which seems to be a good price for the larger 4s/turbo radiators.

The condensers are made in Thailand but seem ok quality.

Thanks

[996TT02]

Could not find non OEM ones for my Turbo, all three of mine (AKG-Behr) cost me just over 700 from Porschapart, which was the best price.

Re condensers, I too fitted "replacement" ones, all fine except hose retaining bolt hole was slightly too shallow so needed slightly shorter bolts, no biggie. Otherwise perfect fit. Just don't force the bolt if it seems the hose does not want to seat!

[R129 300SL]

Hi

Yes these were the only non oem ones I could find.

Oem were £215 each so £65 more each. Just wondering if they will be ok. Inner core looks very good but paint finish on the frame not so good. Looks like they may have been handled / packed whilst still wet..

Labour is my own so if they last a few years will be happy.

[996TT02]

If you put mesh, they should last many moons. The corrosion that kills them appears to be where muck collects between rad and condenser, so it's an outside-in affair. Prevent that and I don't see why they should not last 10+ years. Enjoy, a satisfying job, and if you plug the hoses so the dribble stops while the rads are out, you won't lose more than 5l of coolant, mainly from the rads themselves, and when you refill no extraordinary procedures to bleed will be necessary, just drive around with the cap clip in the raised position, and monitor levels.

I actually collected and filtered the "lost" coolant and re-used most of it.

[R129 300SL]

Hi

Thanks for the tips. I agree that the muck that collects has killed the radiators. I just got the car and I don't think the bumpers had been off before. Look at these pics.

[R129 300SL]

The right side as well.

[996TT02]

Don't forget o-rings for the condenser pipework, old ones will be pancaked.

And since it looks like your condensers have been long gone, also replace the receiver-dryer "bottle", Ebay buys you a cheap one, apparently a very widespread part across several makes of vehicle.

And bank on possibly needing a rad hose or two, inspect the ally collars, may be corroded and split. If not, I would replace the o-rings on them, too. All o-rings except the condenser ones seem to be readily available from alternative sources.