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Anyone running an Ebay radiator?

Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2025 2:25 pm
by seiplej
Im doing my belts and water pump and my radiator is showing some corrosion on the sides so I was thinking about replacing it before it starts leaking. It is marked Kuhler on the top so it might be a replacement already. . I have 0 cooling issues right now but I definitely dont wanna spend $600 on a radiator either.

Re: Anyone running an Ebay radiator?

Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2025 4:48 pm
by Tom
Which one? I bought a Chinese-built aluminum radiator for my old 450SL and it didn't fit. When I wrote to them, they refunded my money and said to keep it. There's one Chinese company that sells radiators under a dozen or more similar names. If the 944 one comes from the same company, I'd pass honestly. If you post a link, I can probably tell if it's the same source.

Re: Anyone running an Ebay radiator?

Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2025 10:30 am
by usury
Six or seven years ago I replaced my original radiator with the "OEM" version sold by Pelican (vs the "Genuine Porsche" version). About half the cost. No complaints. No problems.

In fact, the location that would have shown the logo and Porsche part number on the "genuine Porsche" radiator was physically sanded away on the "OEM" radiator, leading me to believe they are literally identical parts.

If that's still an option, probably better to trust Pelican over an unknown eBay seller.

Also worth checking with Ian (944online).

Re: Anyone running an Ebay radiator?

Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2025 11:08 am
by Tom
usury wrote: Sun Jan 26, 2025 10:30 am Six or seven years ago I replaced my original radiator with the "OEM" version sold by Pelican (vs the "Genuine Porsche" version). About half the cost. No complaints. No problems.

In fact, the location that would have shown the logo and Porsche part number on the "genuine Porsche" radiator was physically sanded away on the "OEM" radiator, leading me to believe they are literally identical parts.

If that's still an option, probably better to trust Pelican over an unknown eBay seller.

Also worth checking with Ian (944online).
Good call. Paging @944online :thumbup:

Re: Anyone running an Ebay radiator?

Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2025 2:15 pm
by whalenlg
usury wrote: Sun Jan 26, 2025 10:30 am Six or seven years ago I replaced my original radiator with the "OEM" version sold by Pelican (vs the "Genuine Porsche" version). About half the cost. No complaints. No problems.

In fact, the location that would have shown the logo and Porsche part number on the "genuine Porsche" radiator was physically sanded away on the "OEM" radiator, leading me to believe they are literally identical parts.

If that's still an option, probably better to trust Pelican over an unknown eBay seller.

Also worth checking with Ian (944online).
Same here - found one on Vertex in 2022 with the part number rubbed out. Still good after 3 years.

Re: Anyone running an Ebay radiator?

Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2025 3:57 am
by JamesM
All the old Rennlist and Pelican forum threads seem to agree that you wont have leaks or overheating with one, but that you need to make them fit. So if your willing to make a radiator fit then why not, I was going to get one but ended up finding a used Wizard radiator for 350 and I thought that was worth the extra $100 over a AliExpress or eBay chinesium rad. I have also heard some things about the csf radiators not quite fitting and wizard radiators seem to be the nicest.

Re: Anyone running an Ebay radiator?

Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2025 3:57 pm
by xeryn388
Spending $600 on a radiator can feel a bit steep. I've gone the eBay route a couple of times, and it’s worked out fine, as long as you’re careful. Check the reviews and make sure it’s from a reputable seller.

Re: Anyone running an Ebay radiator?

Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2025 7:38 am
by seiplej
JamesM wrote: Tue Jan 28, 2025 3:57 am All the old Rennlist and Pelican forum threads seem to agree that you wont have leaks or overheating with one, but that you need to make them fit. So if your willing to make a radiator fit then why not, I was going to get one but ended up finding a used Wizard radiator for 350 and I thought that was worth the extra $100 over a AliExpress or eBay chinesium rad. I have also heard some things about the csf radiators not quite fitting and wizard radiators seem to be the nicest.

I did not know wizard made them for the 944. I have a wizard radiator in my Z28. I may go this route