70mpg @ -13F

[ThermionicScott]

I was incredulous, too, but that's an interesting idea.

From my quick Googling, it seems like the point of that bleed hole is to make sure air doesn't get trapped in that part of the system. I suppose without it, you run the risk of overheating the engine if you trap air in there after refilling the coolant, right?

[stovie]

That might be the case!! Personally I don't see it being that big a deal, but I've never sealed that bleeder hole myself before so I don't know for sure!! If you decide to try it I'd suggest getting a obd2 Bluetooth for your smartphone because it seems to give real time temperature readings!!

[LittleBlackDuck]

Guaranteed way to destroy a head gasket or engine!

[ThermionicScott]

Originally Posted by stovie

but I've never sealed that bleeder hole myself before so I don't know for sure!!

WHOA-WHOA-WHOA! How about not making other people your guinea pigs, then?

People coming to EcoModder for advice need to trust that we recommend things that have been tried and won't harm their cars (or them.) Next time you have a bright idea, be a little more upfront if you haven't tried it.

[Ecky]

's alright, I understand that many of these things are at my own risk. I'm all for hyper-insulating my engine, but the difference between a 99% and 100% grille block is the difference between not warming up and borderline overheating, even at those temperatures. The Insight has a water jacket in the exhaust manifold and so has larger heat dissipation requirements than you'd expect from a 1L engine, so removing the radiator and relying on the heatercore alone is not something I'm keen to do.

[stovie]

Originally Posted by ThermionicScott

WHOA-WHOA-WHOA! How about not making other people your guinea pigs, then?

People coming to EcoModder for advice need to trust that we recommend things that have been tried and won't harm their cars (or them.) Next time you have a bright idea, be a little more upfront if you haven't tried it.

Haha sorry!! Sorry! I didn't think about that!! I apologize!! Since it's almost spring if your able to wait tell next season I'm planning on putting a insulating epoxy coating on my s10 this summer to test out how well it holds the heat in!! Maybe see if that's an option for you next year??

[ThermionicScott]

Originally Posted by stovie

Haha sorry!! Sorry! I didn't think about that!! I apologize!! Since it's almost spring if your able to wait tell next season I'm planning on putting a insulating epoxy coating on my s10 this summer to test out how well it holds the heat in!! Maybe see if that's an option for you next year??

I've thought about insulating my engine bay next winter. I have no doubt a bellypan, at least between the front bumper and axle, would help too. Just didn't get motivated enough with the warm weather.

[Magician]

Hats off to those in colder climates obtaining huge MPG numbers. I'm pretty sure it's much easier to get big numbers in the south and along the coast. Look at those in the highest MPG's on this site and you'll see a trend of people in the warmer climates typically having the best results. We colder climate people have to be more innovative to compete

[DieselJan]

Originally Posted by stovie

Considering the low temperature where you live I would suggest taking out the thermostat and plug the bleed hole in it with a small weld or something.

The small hole in the thermostat has a small piece of metal in on most thermostats. This will close the hole as soon as your water pump starts pumping against it. So there is no point closing it, except if you want your engine to possibly overheat.
Jan

[Ecky]

Warmer weather brings improved economy. All of my mods from over the winter are starting to pay off. It was about 70F yesterday, and cruising through rolling hills I was about to get my factory gauge (which is within 1% accurate) up to 102mpg, over the course of a 20 mile +500ft elevation drive.




Warmer weather means I'm having to open up my grille block! I'm now at 100% upper blocked and only about 80% lower blocked, down from almost 100% lower, and I might have to back off a bit further. I ran the heat to keep the radiator fan from kicking in a few times during some particularly long and steep hill climbs, where I was WOT in 4th or even 3rd gear over a period of several minutes.