Still been unable to find a nice clean unit to replace mine with. Pic attached, it just looks a bit tired and I’ve struggled to get it to look any better with all manner of cleaning efforts. so, can these be refurbed? Any creative suggestions to tidy it up? anytbing out there in anyones spares boxes?
I've been chasing one for a while as mine was leaking. Have gone with a S4 Monster one for now but the V panel doesn't fit as it's a curved cooler. Before mine leaked I pulled it off, thoroughly cleaned it with brake cleaner then degreaser then wax & grease remover before repainting with a hi temp silver paint. It came up a treat. Make sure the screen in front of it (on the V panel) is in good condition. The testastretta coolers won't work because of the cylinder head oil feed line off the top of the cooler. They're very rare and hard to get a damaged one. Someone must be able to re-core them
That looks really used, which is a good thing. There are several radiator company’s over here (NL) that refurbish them. They will get a new core, which is the labyrinth/ mousetrap of alu between the watertubes. They look like new than. There must be a radiator specialist in the uk though. Maybe a winter project as the watercooler looks abused to
If you are going to the trouble of replacing/repairing them, I would invest in some guards, you'll save yourself from any future damage from rocks, debris etc., that are fired into the oil cooler and radiator core whilst riding.
Looks like you have the raw materials to make a guard. They are attached to the front of your daughters bike in the background.
I posted about same thing on my 996 earlier in the year. I could not find a replacement so went to work with all types of cleaner fluids and mucho elbow. A lot of crap came out from the oil cooler core, so I imagine I have improved cooling performance. I also flushed internally then left it for days to dry. To @Sev point, it looks a whole lot better.
Thanks all. Regarding removing it, do they usually come free from the hoses ok? I ask as with Lancia’s I always remember people always removed including the hoses from the engine side as they always sheared off from the cooler due to different metals corroding..
Just be careful on reassembly, Tone. I sheared the top off my 998 cooler and it wasn’t giving it much…
Cheers all I shall whip it off and see what I can do with it. Would like to have it recored ideally and new fins as they are peppered. I’ve replaced the water radiator with one in much nicer condition too
Unless you can run the engine to heat the coolant up and thereby the hoses, use a hairdryer or a heat gun to soften the rubber. Try to prise away the end of the hose from the radiator boss and squirt some slicone spray in there, then gently twist the hose back and forth until it comes off. If it's really stuck fast you could use a plastic spatula or something at least softer than the aluminium itself to work your way around the inside of the end of the hose until you succeed. Failing that you will have to cut it off with a sharp razor blade, being careful not to cut into the aluminium boss itself, as it's extremely thin.
