Condenser leak

steve r · Oct 2, 2011

Got out my car yesterday and heard a 'pisssssht' noise coming from the nearside front bumper air inlet, instantly thought air con leak and looks like i was right [

]

The leak looks to be coming from a fitting at the end of the condenser, possibly just a leaking £1 o-ring rather than a £200 condenser?

My cars the 40th Anniversary with the Turbo/C4S bumper, are the rads and condensers different on these models?

Are there aftermarket mesh grills the clip onto the Turbo bumper or is it DIY job with mesh and glue?

Thanks

Steve

chriscoates81 · Oct 2, 2011

I think there are 'proper' grills for £120. Wether thats each side or for a pair im not sure. I'm looking at the diy route for mine when i eventually get round to it, halfords is where most people seem to go.

minny · Oct 2, 2011

Have a look at these :
http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=646707
http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=646687
Hope they help. It costs only £55 to do it yourself.

steve r · Oct 16, 2011

Did some investigation into this over the weekend, i'm pretty sure its just a leak from the condenser o ring as there is evidence of the air con dye getting past the o-ring on the rear connection when compared to the front:

I think too much copper grease has been used in the past and the bolt may have loosened a little allowing the gas to escape.

I was surprised by the amount of debris that came out when i removed the ducting and separated the condenser from the rad. I have hoovered through the grill in the past and it all looked clean before PU removal.

I'm going to fit mesh to the front PU cutouts, what sizes of holes in the mesh have people used?

Looking on eBay there is 9mm x 5mm or 16mm x 10mm diamond shaped holes available.

Thanks

Steve

thirteeneast · Oct 16, 2011

You would be very lucky if it were!.

Very.

Sorry for not being optimistic.

ashley · Oct 17, 2011

yep that rad looks a little worse for wear [

]

The mesh I used was the rip speed sheets found in the boy racer section at Halfords, £25 per sheet and you'll need 2 sheets for the side vents and the middle one. I used flexible bond to secure rather than self tappers or cable ties. Its a fiddly job to cut to shape but once you've done one side the second is much easier

good luck

Richard_Hamilton · Oct 17, 2011

Just like Min's DIY: http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=646687

I used the Ripspeed Competition Mesh too. Being anodised aluminium, it is quite easy to work with. The trouble with stainless steel mesh is that it is really tough to form it to shape.

steve r · Oct 17, 2011

I've just ordered some from eBay, Black Aluminium, 9mm x 5mm diamond pattern holes, 100cm x 30cm sheet. £11 per sheet with a 3 for 2 offer so i have 3 sheets delivered for £27 [

]

Also ordered tiger seal to bond it onto the PU grills.

I'm going to replace that radiator and am looking a t fitting the Hartech low temp thermostat while the system is drained.

How much coolant/water does the system hold?

Steve

minny · Oct 17, 2011

You will need about 3-4 litres of coolant mix if you replace the radiator and about 8-10 litres for the thermostat. The system total is 28 litres but it is difficult to remove all that unless you undo the myriad of hoses running under the car, into and out of the engine etc. 7 litres of neat coolant to make up 14 litres of 50/50 mix should do you fine. Although, over the next 2 weeks after the work you may find that the colant level will drop slightly every day as air is being purged from the system so you may need another litre after that.