944 S2 Genuine Radiators - why so expensive & what are the non-genuine options like?

[MJL944]

As part of imminent preventative maintenance work on my S2, I'm wanting to replace my original (24 yr old & 197,000 mile) radiator. Although it's not leaking, I'm surely on borrowed time with it.

New S2 radiators direct from Porsche are an eye-watering £317+VAT.

Why are they so expensive? (Or does the fact that mine has lasted 24 years/197k miles point me to the answer!)

What's the quality of the non-genuine radiators like? (e.g. Design 911 advertise an 'NRF' brand radiator for £200+VAT) Any recommendations for alternatives?

Alternatively, can I recondition my current one somehow to make it good for a few more years? Pressure-wash the hell out of it; fill it up with white vinegar to dissolve the build-up etc.?

Any advice & suggestions much appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[os951]

A friend of mine bought a new radiator for his 951. It was an aftermarket item. When he received it, he noticed it was a oem item. All Porsche markings were removed. So, in some cases you can get oem item for lesser price.

 

[Copperman05]

Some genuine Porsche items can be expensive, back box for the S2 is over 1K! Just the way it is unfortunately, some OEM items are identical and can be had from the likes of Promax, JMG, Berlin Services, Type 911, etc a bit cheaper.

Personally I wouldn't bother replacing the radiator as a precaution if I was paying someone else to fit it. But if your doing the work yourself? My rad went last year, suspected corrosion, Promax replacement was about £175 + vat. + Fitting. Reconditioning was an option at the time but a short term solution and perhaps not what you want if you are trying to be preventative.


Edd

 

[zcacogp]

Erm, if it's working fine and not showing any signs of problems then I'de leave the old radiator in the car and the money in your pocket. If the coolant has had the right amount of antifreeze in it and there is no damage to the radiator then I'm struggling to understand why it should fail due to age.


Oli.

 

[Copperman05]

ORIGINAL: zcacogp

Erm, if it's working fine and not showing any signs of problems then I'de leave the old radiator in the car and the money in your pocket. If the coolant has had the right amount of antifreeze in it and there is no damage to the radiator then I'm struggling to understand why it should fail due to age.


Oli.

I agree, my rad went due to suspected corrosion where is had been damaged (was difficult to see). I would save the money and put towards the next inevitable thing that will need doing.


Edd

 

[zcacogp]

Interesting - what damaged the radiator? Had the car been crashed, or had something (a stone) come through the front and damaged the fins?


Oli.

 

[Copperman05]

Yes fins damaged, not sure by what, stone size. Pipe work behind fins is quite thin and delicate, appears initial damage did not cause leaks but subsequent corrosion led to weakened water pipes and leaks under pressure.


Edd

 

[zcacogp]

I think that is quite a common story; the failure being due to subsequent corrosion after damage.

I thought your replacement was more like £600?


Oli.

 

[Copperman05]

It was, my price was £175 +vat + fitting. Which unfortunately was about £600 altogether.


Edd

 

[Eldavo]

ORIGINAL: os951

A friend of mine bought a new radiator for his 951. It was an aftermarket item. When he received it, he noticed it was a oem item. All Porsche markings were removed. So, in some cases you can get oem item for lesser price.

This happened to me a couple of months ago, new radiator for £200 from Advanced Radiators (they're online but the shop is local to me). Came in a box with the Porsche label ripped off and all the Porsche markings were half-arsedly semi ground off.

Took about an hour to fit from below and another hour to connect everything up properly and bleed the system.

 

[ChasR]

It depends what your outlook is .

My radiator (which I would have said did not look terrible) was said to have been the cause for taking out two engines in my S2 (I suspect the first engine was changed at 120,000 miles, and I change the second engine at 131,000 miles (it had suffered a seized piston). The specialist thought it was boiling the coolant in tbe water jacket or that it had been run low on oil. Despite a new thermostat the new engine still ran the fan on longer than he would have liked it to. When I chucked in the new rad, it ran cooler for sure .

 

[nicksonmsport]

I have a new old stock genuine Porsche radiator that is unfitted and like brand new which I can sell, its for a turbo but can be used on the s2 aswell

drop me an email if interested, info@nicksonmotorsport.co.uk, I also have a new old stock oil cooler for a turbo in as new condition for any1 in need

thanks
nick

 

[MJL944]

Thanks for the informative replies gents.

In light of what's been said here, I'll ask my specialist to do a Forte coolant flush, remove the radiator and give it a blast with a pressure wash & and a close visual inspection. If it seems OK it goes back on. If they have any doubts they'll have a green light to change it.

The car is going in for a head gasket & top end refresh very shortly along with a new thermostat (the temp reading never gets above the bottom white line on the gauge) so it's a good excuse to remove & check the radiator closely.

Really good information here about purchasing radiators other than from Porsche, so many thanks.
Nick - thank you for the heads up. If my rad is declared kaput, I'll be in touch.

 

[ChasR]

IIRC Porsche items come with a 2 year warranty. But as said, the rads from NRF are basically Porsche rads with the logos scribbled off .

 

[MJL944]

Which is exactly the kind of information that will one day save me (& others) a lot of money. Thanks Chas!

 

[J4CKO]

The best advice for saving money would be

"Dont buy a 24 year old Porsche"