Leaves in 997 GTS Radiatior intakes

[c4sman]

Hi all,

Looking for your experiences. Today I did my annual radiator Hoover on the GTS Rads. I add a short length of plastic 15mm pipe to my Mele vacuum and get all the leaves and small rocks out of the bottom of the rads. I think to do this properly you have to remove the bumper and clean between the heat exchangers and Rads but my approach does most of the job with a lot less hassle. I am wondering however if I should install a mesh grill to stop the debris getting in to start with but don't know what the most cost effective solution is. I got quoted £450 by and indie to do the job but this didn't feel like good value to me so what have any of you done?

Thanks in advance.

Edited by c4sman on Sunday 13th November 09:38

[anonymous-user]

I took mine off to change holed air con condensers and there was a fair amount of debris in there. BUT it was bone dry - not surprising given the heat from the rads - and no evidence of any corrosion after 8 years. I sprayed some ACF 50 around bases on either side but not sure I would bother removing bumper just for a clean out. Wait until you need new condensers (you will).
As for mesh, good idea and lots of threads on here - but mainly to protect against stone hits.

[Mousem40]

Don't put in a mesh until you've taken off the bumper and cleaned between the A/C and coolant rad. You won't see how much detritus has built up between the two (and it will be a lot). So it's pointless covering up what could be rot lurking within.

[WindyM]

After you've vacuumed, put a pressure washer in the central opening and angle it towards the rads - I predict you'll get more leaves still blow out with the water!

[chrisABP]

Fit a set of the Zunsport grills in gloss black and problem not only solved but also they look better giving a 997.2 GT3 look (they had grills fitted as standard)
Pretty sure the Zunsport full kit is less than £200 and 1/2 hr to install.

I have them on my GTS and they keep 99% of the unwanted crap out.

[c4sman]

Thanks all. I will have a go with the presssure washer when doing the next clean and have a look at those grills Chris. When you say 30min install, is that with taking the bumper off or can you fit them in situ.

[C2'S'man]

Highly recommend the Zunsport grills, the gloss black ones look great on my meteor grey GTS & as Chis says, they certainly keep all the crap out.

Easily fitted without having to remove the PU & if you have warranty on the car, they can be removed easily, if it has to go into the garage for any work that needs to be carried out 👍

[c4sman]

Sounds good. Also means I'll still be able to pop them out and give the rads a clean. Ordering today and will update on what I think. Thanks.

Edit: order placed for £106 delivered.

Edited by c4sman on Monday 14th November 08:47

[chrisABP]

c4sman said:

Sounds good. Also means I'll still be able to pop them out and give the rads a clean. Ordering today and will update on what I think. Thanks.

Edit: order placed for £106 delivered.

Edited by c4sman on Monday 14th November 08:47

Did you order the full set (5 pieces in total) or just the outer 2? Don't have my car here today but I fitted the full set (including large centre mesh) so that they matched and seem to recall that leaves could enter the outer rads etc from the central holes also as they feed air out to them??? Maybe you need to change your order to the full set!

All fitted without taking the bumper off!

Chris

[c4sman]

Good catch Chris, order now updated to full set. Cheers

Edited by c4sman on Monday 14th November 18:29

[andyc11]

Be good to see pics and how easy to fit if you don't mind please. Been meaning to get some for mine, although the 10 week old baby is limiting driving time at the moment (and jobs like this!)

[c4sman]

Will do some before and afters and post here

[chrisABP]

Here are mine before and after..

[c4sman]

Looks pretty neat. Will be harder to spot the difference on a black car maybe. One question I have from the pics is you seem to have some sort of cooler or rad in the centre section, whereas my car just has curved plastic. What's the difference as they are both 2wd GTS. Is this something for PDK or do you have some other upgrades?

[chrisABP]

c4sman said:

Looks pretty neat. Will be harder to spot the difference on a black car maybe. One question I have from the pics is you seem to have some sort of cooler or rad in the centre section, whereas my car just has curved plastic. What's the difference as they are both 2wd GTS. Is this something for PDK or do you have some other upgrades?

Mine is a 2WD GTS PDK but all rads/coolers etc at the front in the pics are standard - no upgrades fitted

[c4sman]

must be an extra rad for PDK as this is the only difference in our cars!

[Blue62]

got to be the most shameful 'I've got a Miele vacuum cleaner' post I've read!

[Get2Jaime]

I would be very cautious about how and what you use to clean the debris from this area, the talk of pressure washers makes me shudder a little...what I can say since cleaning both sides carefully with a hoover, my offside A/C radiator is now leaking coolant and therefore will need replacing to the tune of £600 + labour.

Cant say for sure if the actual act of cleaning caused the damage but it certainly wasnt problematic prior...

[c4sman]

Blue62 said:

got to be the most shameful 'I've got a Miele vacuum cleaner' post I've read!

Ha!

Priceless

[c4sman]

Get2Jaime said:

I would be very cautious about how and what you use to clean the debris from this area, the talk of pressure washers makes me shudder a little...what I can say since cleaning both sides carefully with a hoover, my offside A/C radiator is now leaking coolant and therefore will need replacing to the tune of £600 + labour.

Cant say for sure if the actual act of cleaning caused the damage but it certainly wasnt problematic prior...

Funny, I decided not to use the jet wash as thought it a bit intrusive. Was careful when hoovering and suspect you had an unlucky coincidence or you hit it a bit hard.