Quote:
Originally Posted by CigaR007
Had to bring my car to the dealership today and the mechanic was not too pleased in seeing my upper grille block. He mentioned that I am depriving the radiator of its needed cooling air and that it might explode due to the increased temperature and pressure.
I tried explaining that I monitor the coolant temperature (stable 184-188F) and that most of the cooling is done via the lower opening, but he did not budge. I claimed better warm-up times and increased efficiency but that was to no avail.
He said that most people would actually want MORE air to be fed to the radiator for better cooling...At that point, I decided to keep my mouth shut. I can understand increasing the grille opening if you're into HIGH performance, but this is a freaking ECHO meant for FUEL ECONOMY !
Boy am I glad I did not finish the lower grille block yet.. I wouldn't have been able to withstand his diatribes.
/end rant
...BACK on topic
I will be painting the lower grille blocks today. Stay tuned.
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I ducted my radiator thoroughly when I blocked 80% bottom and all of the top... no air comes through the grille that does not get forced through the radiator. My running temps are in the mid 190s, sometimes up close to cooling fan temps of 203* on the HOTTEST days in the hotter driving conditions. This is virtually the same cooling I have seen for 10 years (oh, and two years ago, before the blocks, a radiator tank ruptured due to its being 11 years old and due for meeting its maker, so to speak).
Just make sure you leave a significant opening, mine is the width of the radiator and right in front of it, and make sure you duct it.