Radiator Grilles - Updated Thread

[Motorhead]

This is a subject which has filled multiple pages of posts on various forums for as many years that I’ve been posting!

I believe that under the factory warranty - let alone the extended warranty - officially Porsche will only entertain a claim if the damage to an a/c condenser (and probably the coolant radiator too?) has been caused by corrosion and not impact damage from a stone, etc. Some owners have challenged this decision and have been offered at least a price reduction by the dealer, but I don’t think that this is sactioned officially by the factory.

It’s a ridiculous situation … in effect a factory-sanctioned design fault which creates an open line of repair on which dealers and other specialists can capitalise. In fact I’m rather surprised that our litigation-conscious friends over the pond haven’t yet instigated a class action because I’m sure that the problem isn’t unique to the UK!

Quite why the GT cars warrant a protection mesh while road-going cars - which are much more likely to incur stone damage to the condensers - don’t, I can’t understand. Anecdotally I don’t recall reading about any detrimental effects on engine cooling by fitting grilles but as Dave has pointed out, Porsche’s stance is that their cars have been tested and approved without them and therefore they are entitled to deny any warranty claims.

That’s just my take on it anyway. []

Jeff

 

[PHB1969]

So once installed, what is the removal procedure, what tools do you need for it and how long is it likely to take?

 

[kjhurley]

Just to add my two penneth to this thread, I experienced exactly this issue during a trip up to Scotland and back.

I noticed part way through my journey that from nowhere the air conditioning on my 911 991.2 Targa was not functioning as it should once the temperature rose. Knowing that it was coming up to its (4-year) major service, I assumed that it probably just needed to be re-gassed and did not look into the problem as much as I should.

Once my local OPC had it in, they immediately identified that a very large stone (not much short of a rock) had damaged the driver side AC condenser and indeed was still present in the air vent aperture. As a result, the condenser needed to be replaced together with the associated drier before the AC system could be re-gassed.

Despite my car having a perfectly good warranty, the OPC reported that it could not be repaired under this as the faulty was caused by ‘external influences’.

The repair was therefore carried out at my cost, with the pill being only slightly sweetened by me already having a £200 goodwill voucher for an issue at the OPC earlier in the year and by the PCGB discount being applied to the parts required.

I have taken the issue up with Porsche UK and have made exactly the same points as have been made on this thread (and others), particularly highlighting that GT3s have the necessary grilles and yet 911 Carrera / GTS / Cayman / Boxster owners are being penalised for getting third party ones fitted because of the risks posed by having such large openings at the front of their cars.

So far, Porsche UK have replied and given me a £300 goodwill towards the cost of the car’s next service (which certainly implies they have some sympathy for our point of view) but I have still queried why this is not being taken up as a more significant issue by Porsche Germany. I don’t suspect I will get any further traction over it, but will update this thread if I hear anything more.

Keith

 

[JohnCRS]

https://www.porscheclubgb.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=1099636

Just a link to another thread offering and alternative option.

 

[JaseGT4]

Just to add my two penneth to this thread, I experienced exactly this issue during a trip up to Scotland and back.

I noticed part way through my journey that from nowhere the air conditioning on my 911 991.2 Targa was not functioning as it should once the temperature rose. Knowing that it was coming up to its (4-year) major service, I assumed that it probably just needed to be re-gassed and did not look into the problem as much as I should.

Once my local OPC had it in, they immediately identified that a very large stone (not much short of a rock) had damaged the driver side AC condenser and indeed was still present in the air vent aperture. As a result, the condenser needed to be replaced together with the associated drier before the AC system could be re-gassed.

Despite my car having a perfectly good warranty, the OPC reported that it could not be repaired under this as the faulty was caused by ‘external influences’.

The repair was therefore carried out at my cost, with the pill being only slightly sweetened by me already having a £200 goodwill voucher for an issue at the OPC earlier in the year and by the PCGB discount being applied to the parts required.

I have taken the issue up with Porsche UK and have made exactly the same points as have been made on this thread (and others), particularly highlighting that GT3s have the necessary grilles and yet 911 Carrera / GTS / Cayman / Boxster owners are being penalised for getting third party ones fitted because of the risks posed by having such large openings at the front of their cars.

So far, Porsche UK have replied and given me a £300 goodwill towards the cost of the car’s next service (which certainly implies they have some sympathy for our point of view) but I have still queried why this is not being taken up as a more significant issue by Porsche Germany. I don’t suspect I will get any further traction over it, but will update this thread if I hear anything more.

Keith

I am by no means qualified to say this but isn't there some kind of re-course? Surely we 'trust in their expertise' and the current design is not fit for purpose. Cars travel at speed and stones do the same therefore shouldn't these as a matter of common sense be protected against failure? I've used the term with success after being advised by a solicitor many years ago with regard to a car (not a Porsche) purchased from a dealer. I've fitted Zunsport so hoping not to have this problem anyway.

 

[Changedstate]

I cleaned my new toy last weekend and even though I had read this thread I must say I was shocked to see just how exposed these radiators are. and now understand why so many comments have been made.

That said, exposed radiators or not… what a car!!

 

[rodneyhj]

Has anybody got details of how to remove the Zunsport grills from a 981 GTS?

 

[AndrewCS]

Has anybody got details of how to remove the Zunsport grills from a 981 GTS?

Try ... Porsche Cayman 981 GTS Front Grille Set | Zunsport

 

[Buddy]

And so the debate continues, I have read some of the comments over the years and even been involved in the debate having set up the club discount some years ago, my 987/2S still has it's Zunsport grilles fitted and I am planning a trip to Germany this summer where TAG inspections are possible, the Zunsports may or may not be TAG approved but for anyone interested, non TAG approved modifications are disallowed on German roads.

This in the past has outlawed several popular modifications of the boy racer variety, such as Bonnet Pins, it's mostly about safety and Bonnet Pins are an obvious dangerous protrusion on the front of a car, I'm just wondering about the grilles, they aren't a danger to anyone but are visible and a modification. I don't know if TAG approval has been sought by the manufacturer.

 

[BrianJ]

I think you might mean TUV Kevan. Lots of us with Zunsport grilles have been to Germany, never had a problem. I worry about lots of things but that’s something that even I could never contemplate was worth a nanosecond of thought.

 

[ralphmusic]

TUV registration of any non-factory parts applies only to German registered vehicles. The German Police may stop a vehicle they consider is in a dangerous condition but that is completely different.

 

[Lancerlot]

I've been fitting alloy mesh to my cars for many years and thankfully (thus far! ) haven't run into any warranty problems.

Attaching the mesh securely and aesthetically always allows food for thought, but I've discovered just lately, industrial Velcro seems to provide an ideal solution.

I've covered around 4k miles since the latest fitment and all seems fine with the mesh remaining securely in place - and in all weathers. It has the added advantage of being easily removed manually should that ever become necessary!

You can follow the project as it applies to a 992 here. []

Regards,

[font="comic sans ms,sans-serif"]Clive[/font]

 

[Bobv1]

Does anyone know who will supply radiator grills for a 987 spyder?

 

[Mcmikey62]

Ive got a set of Zunsports in my porch waiting to go on my 718, has anyone had any issues doing a DIY installation I need to be aware of?

 

[JohnCRS]

The instructions that come with the grills are pretty comprehensive. It took me about 30 minutes - just take care and use masking tape to protect the edges of the grill aperture. Don't worry if you get to a point where you think they are the wrong shape and don't fit. A little fiddling around and it all comes good in the end.

 

[AngieS]

Make sure you tape off the edges as positioning them can scratch paintwork. Wasn’t overly impressed with fitment on 981 Version. One self tapper secures to plastic blanking plate with tiny clamp of metal at other end gripping plastic vane. Difficult to describe but in essence, a good hit can dislodge end not screwed in. Will upload pic when car returned. Currently poorly at OPC.

Lol, one minute later with my slow typing

 

[AngieS]

Don’t suppose anyone is listening at Porsche design HQ as look at what I noticed on MY 24 Cayenne! A simple plastic flap from underneath would assist with clearing out detritus.

 

[PhilW_999]

I fitted them to my GTS Cayman (3+grills). Test fit and bend accordingly. The clips provided are very aggressive and will damage paintwork so I did two things. Flatten one of the two barbs on the spring clips (one barb is enough as the force of the air pushes the grill in anyway). The other is to establish where you will use the clip and then apply some thick black electrical tape to the surface of the bodywork, I doubled it up and stretched (opened-up) the spring clip a little. I had no issues with Porsche West Sussex when they serviced my car & I also had a 991 steering wheel on it. It might be different if you have a claim and then you might want to take them off. I've got a 991.1 GTS now so hope to fit the same to this car soon. Hope this helps? Phil

 

[Mcmikey62]

Thanks for the help guys, fitted them yesterday with no substantial issues. Masking tape was a good and bad idea, I managed to rap a little bit under two of the grilles which wasn't easy to retrieve but looks good on the car. Does anyone know if we have to declare to the insurance as is a mod and I dont want to invalidate for something so trivial?

 

[JohnCRS]

Thanks for the help guys, fitted them yesterday with no substantial issues. Masking tape was a good and bad idea, I managed to rap a little bit under two of the grilles which wasn't easy to retrieve but looks good on the car. Does anyone know if we have to declare to the insurance as is a mod and I dont want to invalidate for something so trivial?

For peace of mind it is probably worth contacting your insurance company and telling them. Given that some insurers are getting awkward with things such as PPF, I would invite the disussion now rather than at the time of a claim. Of course, I would not expect it to make any difference to your cover or your premium.