Boxster 986 Radiator
- Thread starter Colind
- Start date
Kindly suggest that you take a look at this page. Scroll down for a special section for the cooling system.
https://www.pelicanparts.com/boxster/boxster_tech.htm
https://www.pelicanparts.com/boxster/boxster_tech.htm
chrishak
New member
I've replaced the radiators and air-con condensers on my 3.2, the sides will be the same as yours. If I remember correctly, Pelican and 101 Projects suggest you can do the job without removing the wheelarch liners - take it from me, it can't.
Jack the car, remove the wheel and wheelarch liner. If you have air-con, you can remove two fixings then slide the condenser away from the radiator which might give enough access to get the radiator out but personally, I'd get the system degassed before starting, and remove the air-con condenser completely.
The hoses are difficult to get a firm grip on, so cut them rather than trying to save them, draining coolant at the same time (I didn't lose too much which is good as Porsche anti-freeze is outrageously expensive!). The rad is then easy to remove and replacement not too difficult except one or two hose clips are awkward buggers to tighten, but it can be done with dexterity and patience.
In addition to a new radiator, hoses and anti-freeze, be ready to replace various broken or corroded fixings, brackets and air-con O-rings (also ridiculously expensive) and use quality stainless hose clips - I found Jubilee type to be fine. Topping up the cooling system has a reputation for being difficult but I had no problem doing it.
I used Porsche coolant radiators and aftermarket air-con condensers.
All in all, not TOO difficult and satisfying when done - good luck.
Jack the car, remove the wheel and wheelarch liner. If you have air-con, you can remove two fixings then slide the condenser away from the radiator which might give enough access to get the radiator out but personally, I'd get the system degassed before starting, and remove the air-con condenser completely.
The hoses are difficult to get a firm grip on, so cut them rather than trying to save them, draining coolant at the same time (I didn't lose too much which is good as Porsche anti-freeze is outrageously expensive!). The rad is then easy to remove and replacement not too difficult except one or two hose clips are awkward buggers to tighten, but it can be done with dexterity and patience.
In addition to a new radiator, hoses and anti-freeze, be ready to replace various broken or corroded fixings, brackets and air-con O-rings (also ridiculously expensive) and use quality stainless hose clips - I found Jubilee type to be fine. Topping up the cooling system has a reputation for being difficult but I had no problem doing it.
I used Porsche coolant radiators and aftermarket air-con condensers.
All in all, not TOO difficult and satisfying when done - good luck.
Colind
New member
I managed to change the radiator on my boxster. The awkward part was the spring clip on the top radiator hose. After nearly an hour I just couldn't press the clip in enough to put it back in to position. This may well of been down to my pliers. Hopefully this may help others. Remove the top hose from the metal extention pipe under the wheel arch and connect it to the radiator. Fit the radiator as normal and then push and clip the hose back on to the metal pipe. This saved me time and knuckles!
Good luck!
Good luck!
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