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General Forums => The Mess Hall => Topic started by: Chad on January 10, 2007, 02:41:54 PM

Title: Radiator question
Post by: Chad on January 10, 2007, 02:41:54 PM
The other day I say a YJ with a peice of cardboard placed in between the radiator and the grill, I had no idea why you would do this or what the benefits of it would be.  Since then I have noticed a number of big trucks with vinyl covers that cover a significant portion of their grills.  I am up in the Northwoods of MN and its cold, but what is the reason or benefit of this?
Title: Radiator question
Post by: lanulos89 on January 10, 2007, 03:17:48 PM
thats weird, a piece of card board would restrict air flow, and you would essentially waste more gas, from the engine running hotter, no ram air effect.    I have the bug shield the iron mess thing from quadratec in between my radiator and grill, but only b/c i have an aux trans cooler i am protecting.  I guess people don't want like bugs/ bees stuck in there grills, messing up the fins?????????
Title: Radiator question
Post by: chardrc on January 10, 2007, 05:30:39 PM
could help the engine warm faster.. but thats what the thermostat ( or whatever its called) is for
Title: Radiator question
Post by: kenny kustom on January 10, 2007, 05:31:26 PM
Hmmm. southern people.

Up here ( canada ) where it gets cold. We put cardboard in front of the rad to keep some heat in. Alot of vehicles wont heat up with an open grill.
Title: Radiator question
Post by: Jesse-James on January 10, 2007, 11:48:13 PM
Quote from: "kenny kustom"
Hmmm. southern people.
(http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i33/jlafaive/Smilies/haha.gif)

I used it last winter, but this year it hasn't been that cold. Unless you feel like wasting gas letting it run for a half-hour, the engine doesn't warm up until I'm just about at my destination. Too much cold air blowing across the radiator isn't a good thing when gets really cold.
Title: Radiator question
Post by: SKI BOY on January 11, 2007, 07:07:41 AM
YA, I DO THE SAME THING HERE IN MAINE! IT HELPS THE ENGINE COME UP TO TEMP. QUICKER & YOU GET HOTTER BLOW OFF THE HEATER. YOU DON'T TOTALLY BLOCK OFF THE RAD SO YOU STILL GET COOLING EFFECT. HASN'T EFFECTED MY GAS MILAGE AS THE TEMP SELDOM PUSHES 200 DEGREES.
Title: Radiator question
Post by: Chad on January 11, 2007, 12:38:17 PM
Well the temp is coming down here now global warming or not its still no warmer than 20 degrees F at high noon and always in the teens at night now.  So i think I might try this cardboard trick.  All you gotta do is throw a peice of carboard between the rad and the grill?  Maybe cut a whole in the middle to ensure some airflow through?
Title: Radiator question
Post by: lanulos89 on January 11, 2007, 12:57:21 PM
install an electric fan on a thermostat, my jeep warms up in like 5 mins.   :lol:
Title: Radiator question
Post by: SKI BOY on January 11, 2007, 01:47:14 PM
I HAVE AN ELECTRIC FAN ALSO FOR THE POWER GAIN. IT SELDOM COMES ON DURING THE COLDEST DAYS , LIKE TODAY IT BARELY BROKE 20 HERE. I DID THE CARDBOARD THING THE FIRST YEAR BUT NOW HAVE A THIN PIECE OF BLACK PLASTIC THAT IS ABOUT 6" SMALLER THAN THE RAD CORE SO I STILL GET SOME AIR FLOW. PLUS IT DOESN'T LOOK TOO SQUIRRELLY!!
Title: Radiator question
Post by: kenny kustom on January 11, 2007, 05:14:09 PM
why are you yelling ?

 :shock:

What temps are most of you running at anyways ? Mine usually sits at about 200-210 i even put in a rad out of a cj. I have an electric fan too. My thermostat is 195. I cant keep the temps below 200.
Title: Radiator question
Post by: lanulos89 on January 11, 2007, 06:19:44 PM
mine stays right around 190, im happy with it,  really like the throttle responce after i put the fan in.
Title: Radiator question
Post by: Jesse-James on January 11, 2007, 09:30:52 PM
Mine sits around 180, when I did it I sprayed the cardboard black (triple corregated) and zip tied to the grill on the inside. Didn't look too hillbilly.

Electric fan is on the list, but it's a long list.
Title: Radiator question
Post by: dunklervogel on January 11, 2007, 10:15:05 PM
Wouldn't it be hard to judge which would give you better gas mileage: with or without the cardboard?  I know before the thermostat opens up gas milelage takes quite a hit as the engine is trying to heat up...  so without the cardboard that might be a factor.  But with cardboard restricted airflow is a factor you have to consider.  

I have to deal with the issue of the engine taking forever to heat up on my way to work occasionally when the weather is really cold.  Would be nice to know which option would get better mileage..  I really don't care about being cold I would just wear a coat or deal with it  :P

But to agree with a few people above.. I notice big trucks.. school buses.. etc.. using a plastic grill cover.  What's the purpose?  It can't be to "warm up faster" could it?  I mean most of these vehicles are on the road for hours at a time.
Title: Radiator question
Post by: SKI BOY on January 12, 2007, 05:22:47 AM
Sorry if you thought i was YELLING at you!

I have a 180 stat and it keeps me around 175-185.
Most of the larger vehicles using a rad shield are diesel and they do it in cold climate areas to maintain even engine temps because diesel doesn't like the cold.
Title: Radiator question
Post by: kenny kustom on January 12, 2007, 07:16:50 AM
wow.. -50c with the wind this morning.