cold weather radiator wind block ideas?

Davewrit · **Posted:** Sat Jan 20, 2007 1:45 pm

When it gets real cold here, the CRD coolant never really seems to get up to temp, resulting in reduced cabin heater output. Looking for a novel way of blocking the grille / radiator. My old Jeep Grand Wagoneer had plenty of room in between the grill and radiator for a piece of card board that worked great. The CRD doesn't. Anybody?

DW

RFCRD · **Posted:** Sat Jan 20, 2007 2:25 pm

Davewrit wrote:

When it gets real cold here, the CRD coolant never really seems to get up to temp, resulting in reduced cabin heater output. Looking for a novel way of blocking the grille / radiator. My old Jeep Grand Wagoneer had plenty of room in between the grill and radiator for a piece of card board that worked great. The CRD doesn't. Anybody?

DW

My first choice would be the old-school, foldback style two-flap winter front. A little canvas & stainless snaps would work wonders.

vtdog · **Joined:** Fri Sep 30, 2005 11:27 am **Posts:** 640

There were a couple of commercial sources for wind blockers that were mentioned in an earlier thread (one was in alaska), but I cant remember them. If you do a search here for past threads I suspect you will find them. It gets cold here in NH as well, but so far, including -15F temps I have not had the problem of cold engine. Yes, it does not get as hot as during warmer temps, but it does get "warm enough" to give me good heat. On idle, the temp drops way down, but if I'm going at least 35-40 or so, the heat seems fine.

greiswig · **Posted:** Sat Jan 20, 2007 4:56 pm

IIRC, there is a considerable gap between the intercooler (in front) and the radiator. I'm not sure you want to block the intercooler, anyway, and putting a piece of closed-cell foam (no water absorption) right in front of the radiator from the underside shouldn't be difficult.

'Twould be nice to be able to change the value of the thermostat a bit...

Cowpie1 · **Posted:** Sat Jan 20, 2007 4:57 pm

I have been using the Winter/Summer front from Fia. It is really great and has flaps to moderate air flow. The Summer screen which uses the same snaps as the winter front really keeps the bugs and trash out of the radiator fins. check them out at:

http://www.gofia.com/index.cfm?pageID=20

The snaps (or Stick-a-stud as they call them) just adhesive to the grill. Had one loosen up and had to replace but overall they do really good job. No drilling.

CATCRD · **Posted:** Sat Jan 20, 2007 6:54 pm

I have some corrugated plastic "cardboard" thats black and the same thickness as standard cardboard. There's just enough room between the frame of the electric fan and the AC condenser to slide one strip on either side of the fan that's about 6" wide each. It blocks about 50% or more of the condensor/radiator and requires nothing else to hold it down because it fits so tightly.
Helps it warm up faster on my short commute each morning.

europachris · **Posted:** Sat Jan 20, 2007 9:33 pm

Our CRD does pretty well in the winter, especially compared to my TDI Jetta Wagon. Man, that thing takes FOREVER to heat up. If it wasn't for the heated seats, I'd be hurtin'! I suppose that is just a side effect of 45mpg - it just doesn't burn enough fuel to make any heat!:D

Chris

Kniggit · **Posted:** Wed Feb 14, 2007 11:26 pm

I Just slid a couple of pieces of regular cardboard in the jeep to check out how well that will work like CATCRD said, went right in really easy, just curious if the fan has interference on his, as mine will not come on, it does not have enough freon in the system as I am an HVAC tech and decided to do that as part of my deductible when my wife hit a pair of deer. Point of advice, the fan runs continuous if there is 0 pressure, but if there is some but not enough to engage the compressor then it will not work... may want to post that some where else if someone cares.

K

Davewrit · **Posted:** Thu Feb 15, 2007 6:42 am

Cowpie1 wrote:

I have been using the Winter/Summer front from Fia. It is really great and has flaps to moderate air flow. The Summer screen which uses the same snaps as the winter front really keeps the bugs and trash out of the radiator fins. check them out at:

http://www.gofia.com/index.cfm?pageID=20

The snaps (or Stick-a-stud as they call them) just adhesive to the grill. Had one loosen up and had to replace but overall they do really good job. No drilling.

I went with this unit from FIA. REALLY nice. We have been having a bit of atypical colde here (-10 -15F) and the CRD never really warmed up. This makes it a LOT better and is quite adjustable. I highly recommend it.[url][/url]

Ripster · **Posted:** Thu Feb 15, 2007 7:58 am

I did not want snaps, and needed it adjustable with panels. Used what would fit an 04 and adjusted
it to fit the 05. Running all closed now, and the center one open when it gets to 30 or so.

Have EGT and Boost gauges and there was no change in them or engine temp.

W3CSX · **Posted:** Thu Feb 15, 2007 10:17 pm

RFCRD wrote:

My first choice would be the old-school, foldback style two-flap winter front. A little canvas & stainless snaps would work wonders.

Is this what you want?

I was going to do a write up on it after this weekend. My aunt who is a seamstress made it for me. It is held on with elastic that loops over the stock mounting clips top and bottom.

She just made it Sunday I have had it on all week. Monday morning for the test run it was only 14 degrees out side. I used the block heater over night. Fired it up and drove off w/o letting it warm up any. With in 2.5mi I was up to full operating temp. I keep an eye on it all day driving from Western MD to Altoona, PA then back home to central MD. The temperature gage never goes any higher than it normally does. I have yet to test it w/o the block heater but will do that tomorrow.

The cloth is a woven sail type cloth that has a soft fleece like under side. This is a great combo that will keep from scratching the paint. It is also scotch guarded to prevent stains. I only wish I could have got it in Patriot Blue. This weekend I'll see her again. Now that we know it works. She is going to embroider the initials CRD Turbo Diesel on the left side for me.

While I have it off. I'll get measurements and better photos of the finished product.

Jason

RFCRD · **Posted:** Thu Feb 15, 2007 10:22 pm

Beautiful....that's what I had in mind. Just would have allowed a little more of an opening but no way to tell how much until some experimenting is done.

Goglio704 · **Posted:** Fri Feb 16, 2007 12:38 am

W3CSX wrote:

RFCRD wrote:

My first choice would be the old-school, foldback style two-flap winter front. A little canvas & stainless snaps would work wonders.

Is this what you want?

I was going to do a write up on it after this weekend. My aunt who is a seamstress made it for me. It is held on with elastic that loops over the stock mounting clips top and bottom.

She just made it Sunday I have had it on all week. Monday morning for the test run it was only 14 degrees out side. I used the block heater over night. Fired it up and drove off w/o letting it warm up any. With in 2.5mi I was up to full operating temp. I keep an eye on it all day driving from Western MD to Altoona, PA then back home to central MD. The temperature gage never goes any higher than it normally does. I have yet to test it w/o the block heater but will do that tomorrow.

The cloth is a woven sail type cloth that has a soft fleece like under side. This is a great combo that will keep from scratching the paint. It is also scotch guarded to prevent stains. I only wish I could have got it in Patriot Blue. This weekend I'll see her again. Now that we know it works. She is going to embroider the initials CRD Turbo Diesel on the left side for me.

While I have it off. I'll get measurements and better photos of the finished product.

Jason

Is she interested in making more - for profit?

Herk · **Posted:** Fri Feb 16, 2007 5:04 pm

There was a good thread awhile back call Cold Weather Grill Insert.

BVCRD · **Posted:** Fri Feb 16, 2007 5:11 pm

My temp gauge goes up to half way whether it is -15 or +90. I don't have a need for them. Most of the time, we are cranking the heat back because we are too hot. How cold is it where you guys are that you need this?

Kniggit · **Posted:** Fri Feb 16, 2007 6:25 pm

+1 on wanting another the no screws and no glue on buttons looks like a really sweet idea. I would be willing to throw down some change for one. BTW its only been getting down to about 0 here but the average trip is only about 25m so I figured anything I can do to warm the intake when its this cold couldn't hurt fuel economy and improve warm up time.

K

Ripster · **Posted:** Fri Feb 16, 2007 9:32 pm

I use it to speed up the heat, and/or to delay the heat loss or keep up energy, but mainly
for the radiant heat that keeps the EHM clean even at -20 and several hours on the road.
Then when I shut if off, the covers keep the heat in to ensure that the moisture that
continues to show from the hose, keeps unfrozen and continues to drop out. Previous
experience with a VW. Works great, and I wanted something I can adjust and that
unless you know it is there, most people don't even see it.

CATCRD · **Posted:** Fri Feb 16, 2007 11:26 pm

BVCRD wrote:

My temp gauge goes up to half way whether it is -15 or +90. I don't have a need for them. Most of the time, we are cranking the heat back because we are too hot. How cold is it where you guys are that you need this?

Halfway on the gage does not always mean the same temp. The needle is computer controlled to point straight up when the coolant temp is within a certain range, so as not to freak out the average driver. With a diesel engine, you will generally get better fuel economy by running the cylinder head slightly hotter, within reason.

W3CSX · **Posted:** Sat Feb 17, 2007 1:46 am

Today I tested it out w/o using the block heater. After starting in 17degree temperature with out allowing any time to sit idling. It only took 4.2mi to be up to full temp and blowing hot air.

I'll check with her on the Idea of manufacturing.
Jason

G-funk · **Posted:** Sat Feb 17, 2007 4:34 am

Ripster wrote:

I did not want snaps, and needed it adjustable with panels. Used what would fit an 04 and adjusted
it to fit the 05. Running all closed now, and the center one open when it gets to 30 or so.

Have EGT and Boost gauges and there was no change in them or engine temp.

I can make some out of scrap aluminum at work. thanks for the pics. It's a balmy 12deg tonight, after a couple of weeks -10 in the day and -30 at night, so these will come in handy.

cold weather radiator wind block ideas?

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