Stone damaged Radiator - future protection?

[greener]

Just had my first negative Porsche ownership experience after 6 glorious months with my 2002 C4S. As the subject line suggested, the symptom was a leaking radiator and the culprit, according to my OPC, was hole in front left radiator caused by a stone. After spending £660 I should get the car back tomorrow. If anyone's interested, a local specialist quoted £370 - £400 for the same job but the timing of the repair didn’t fit with my need to get the car back on the road immediately.

I’ve seen several people complain about how easy it is to damage the front rads. Is it possible to buy some kind of mesh to protect against future damage?

[barry_j]

This happened to a friend of mine so not wanting it to happen to me i had a local garage fit mesh. We used black mesh so that its discete and he fitted it to the back of the 3 grilles. As you can see from the picture in my profile, you wouldn't know it was there.

[DucatiGary]

barry_j said:

This happened to a friend of mine so not wanting it to happen to me i had a local garage fit mesh. We used black mesh so that its discete and he fitted it to the back of the 3 grilles. As you can see from the picture in my profile, you wouldn't know it was there.

how much was the mesh?

[magic torch]

Ballcock is doing something similar isn't he?

Have a look at www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=48&h=&t=281693

[greener]

Barry_j - interested to know where you got the mesh from and how easy it was to fit.

[spice]

Hi Greener i posted the same yesterday, picking up impact damage to rads, useful info on gassing station, were did you get yours fitted ???

[spice]

hi Barry im in kent to , can you give me details of garge pls?

[DamienCBR]

My old man had the same problem and his indi put a mesh grill across it, apart from the fact that it does the job it looks the nuts too.

D

[barry_j]

Hi Guys,

Mine was done by Martyn Scott:
Scotts Service Centre, Dartford
Tel: [phone]

Good guy - I met him through the Porsche Club and he's done quite a bit of work for me. I can't remember how much he charged me as its was part of a bigger job but it wasn't very much. Give him a call, mention my name and that'll remind him what needs to be done (and should get me some brownie points!) and he'll be able to give you a quote.

[ballcock]

Hi , I'm getting the grilles made up at the mo , in my local indie .. When I get them fitted I'll post some piccies (If I can figure the technicalities...)

I was told the mechanic is making them himself , and reckons it's an easy enough job.

[alxce]

Interesting - do you have the Porsche extended warranty ? I had the same thing happen to me recently where it leaked out over the garage floor. After having it taken to the OPC on a flatbed I called them, was quoted the 600 pounds deal, pointed out I had the warranty and they fixed it no charge. Maybe they just didn't attribute it to stone damage. I will be looking seriously at the grills though especially if they are like the ones fitted to the Porsche Supercup cars such as Westbrook's.

[richardb.jones]

It's also interesting to note that it's only the top third of each radiator that is actually directly exposed - the a/c condensor sits flat against the bottom two thirds of the rad. So if anything is likely to get hit it's the a/c condensor - If I were those that just paid £600 for a replacement, I'd make sure the hole was in the top third (and not just caused by corrosion from the crap that builds up in the bottom when the leaves/dirt cannot escape... and I believe is covered by the warranty..)

[Denis O]

spice said:

hi Barry im in kent to , can you give me details of garge pls?

Mine were done by Linden Automotive who I use for all my cars. They are in High Halden near Tenterden. Give Julian a ring on 01233 851111.

Mine was done with Stainlness Mesh. Do not use the alluminim crap that you can get from the Nova boy shops. It will dent and if you paint it will chip.