Leaking center radiator

[htny]

Gentlemen,

My poor new york city dwelling 2002 996 C2 Tip has sprung a leak, seemingly from the plastic part of the center radiator in the attached pictures. Not a ton of fluid leaking but I'd like to get it sorted out.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to replace the center radiator and hoses.

Loren - I know you have a DIY for adding a center rad to a standard trans car. Do you have the part numbers for replacing the radiator and hoses on a Mk2 C2 Tip?

I'd also love to know if the blue rubber seal in the picture is potentially repairable (if it turns out to be the culprit), as anything which spares me from removing the front clip would be nice as I lack a really proper garage where I live.

Best,

Hans

[Loren]

The center radiator is the same whether for engine cooling or Tiptronic (996-106-037-51).

The hose are what differ from engine cooling tot Tip cooling.

[htny]

Thanks Loren. Do you know where I could find the part numbers for the hoses?

[htny]

i was just looking at a photo of a new center radiator, showing a blue drain plug in the hole where it appears I'm leaking from.

Can you confirm whether or not you've got a drain plug there?

[Loren]

Yes, those were actual pictures of my 3rd radiator during install - so the drain plug is there. But newer designs might be different.

996.106.665.57 Left hose (for Tip) -- US MSRP $43.88

996.106.666.55 Right hose (for Tip) -- US MSRP $26.34

Be sure to use new hose clamps of the stainless steel screw-type.

[htny]

I think this may be a much simpler job than originally anticipated.

Based on the photos, my drain plug may have just shaken loose, might be the whole story.

does this part number come up as a drain plug for you? 996 106 901 00 / 10 X 1.5 BEHR

Edited December 16, 2011 by htny

[Loren]

Yes.

996-106-901-00 Screw plug -- US MSRP $12.27

Probably worth a try.

[htny]

doing this job now, having a hell of a time removing the forward-most underbody panels to access the radiator drain from the rear, any instructions?

Will removing the bumper cover allow me to remove the forward underbody panel?

[logray]

Make sure you have all of the fasteners removed from the panels. Plastic rivet style, screws, and hex fasteners are common on those panels. The plastic bends very well before breaking. Don't be afraid to contort it pretty good. If it stops somewhere, you missed a fastener.

Removing the bumper is relatively easy as well, but I do recommend having a helper since it is somewhat awkward. You might need to do that anyways to gain access to the radiators... not sure how you could do it without.

[htny]

Thanks Lo Gray, I wound up pulling the bumper after realizing that what I was terming an underbody panel was in fact integral to the bumper cover, I think we got confused because I've had the gt3 front spoiler on so long it looks like the bottom of the bumper is a different part.

Long story short, it was in fact the drain screw-plug, broken off at the head and slowly leaking. Drilled a pilot, used an easy out, and replaced. Filtered and refilled coolant, pressurized, no leak from elsewhere.

[logray]

Nice work!

[Loren]

:thumbup:

[htny]

Update: about a week later, still no leaks, coolant temps are fine.

Thanks again guys!