radiators and condensors

Hi everyone. Having built up the courage to remove my front bumper to investigate water loss, i discovered my condensors and radiators were clogged with debris and in fact the condensers were falling apart at the top and bottom. Thought id post a picture for you all to see. Anyway, i found my leak, The passenger side radiator has a pin prick leak. Interesting enough is that the passenger side was worse than the drivers side. Anyway, i suppose i need to replace both condensers and at least one radiator. I suppose in reality id be better off replacing both sides. However, as i dont have the time now for a few weeks would anyone recommend using rad weld in the meantime to block off the pin prick hole or would it be best to steer clear and wait to do the job properly. I need the car each day but after 10 miles or so i need to fill the expansion tank. If you can could anyone tell me if the rads are easy to remove. Thanks

And another photo

oops, not very good at this

forget rad weld, dreadful stuff to subject system to, if the leak is in a rad vain as opposed to the body you can just seal of that vain using pin nose pliers, crimp either side of leak several times if necessary and stop that vain passing water.

sorry guys but i still dont know how to load multiple pictures. Anyway, once job is completed should i be replacing any other associated items and would this be an ideal time to flush the system through. If so, how do i avoid creating air bubbles in the system and should i add an additive. Lots of questions i know buty just as well do the job properly. Thanks. Anyway, last photo

Thanks bobsan. I think it is the vain as it was very small but enough to lose water. Im assuming the fix you mention is temporary. Can you tell me how the condensers work as both the top and bottom runs have fallen away but no water is leaking. I thought if the top vain and bottom vains ahd come loose, it would make a difference but apparently not. thanks

yep temp repair, though it will last for long time, there's no "water" in the condenser it's a freon coolant CFC R134A which needs to be sucked out before working on dismantling (Kwik Fit can do that and re - gas after new condenser's fitted) better see here how it works: http://www.airconcars.com/html/how_it_works.html regarding draining and refilling water system, again not easy first time, suggest Renntech web site for procedure. This is a fair size project to take on both aircon and coolant for first time at home, do lots of research before starting, it is do - able just dont mess up and immobilize the vehicle and have to call tow truck to OPC

Many thanks again bobsan. Am i being nieve or not. Radiator removal....clamp off hoses and then unclamp when done to retain water in the system, top up again when up to temperature once cooled down, Condensers....looking at the state of them the air conditioning has never worked so all the gas has probably gone. Is this just simply removing the two screws, fitting new and then taking to a garage for gassing. OR Am i missing something.

Radiator removal....clamp off hoses and then unclamp when done to retain water in the system, top up again when up to temperature once cooled down, make sure clamps are good as hoses are quite wide to squeeze completely, the higher you can get front of car the better, ie hoses are above header tank in engine bay, dont forget the little hose at top of rad no need to clamp that just dont tear it. when refitting, fit bottom hose first, pour back coolant you've previously caught into top of rad then re fit top hose. run engine to temp make sure heater is on, also that lever on header tank is in up position, if it all goes well shouldn't loose much more that 1 or 1.5 litres. drive for half hour allow to cool and top up header tank (phew). Condensers....looking at the state of them the air conditioning has never worked so all the gas has probably gone. Is this just simply removing the two screws, fitting new and then taking to a garage for gassing. easier to replace than water rad, need to replace 'O' ring and lubricate, cant remember which lubricant check Renntech.

Your a star. Many thanks, will get this job done then on to rear silencers, then discs all round. An expensive time but with 94k on the clock i suppose it was inevitable. Thanks for the additional tips. To remove the radiators... are they connected by the clips on the ends or are there some hidden bolts etc.

two clips, rad slides out

I replaced my rads myself a year back. After you separate the air con condensors and rads, you clamps the hoses as said then you have to undo the whole bracket that holds the rad and fan. There are 2 bolts underneath and 3 after you remove the wheel arch liner. If you don't it is very difficult to slide the rad and fan out. If you PM me you email address I can pop you the instructions for the 987. Would you believe that the Porsche technical manual doesn't have instructions on how to do it for a 996? I can only guess that they didn't think it would be a common problem.