Do you block the radiator in winter?

[timmay89]

I use a piece of cardboard to block the rad. I install it when temperatures go below 40 degrees fahrenheit, and take it out when it gets hotter than that. Winters in Canada never go above that so I leave it in all winter. I do like the idea of completely blocking off the grills, might help even more.

At freezing temperatures my car heats up after 15 minutes of driving, or 5 minutes idle and 10 minutes driving.

[juryrigger007]

I have a piece of plexiglass, that is cut to slide in front of the radiator. I cut two notches at the top, for the radiator brackets (which hold the plastic in place). simple to add in, and remove. I did cut a 2-3" rectangle opening, across most of the width of the piece, because you have to have some airflow.

Really works well.

Cheers,

[WmWatt]

I plug in a block heater for 1-2 hrs before starting the engine. The cost of the electricity is less than 10 cents. I figure that is recovered in the fuel savings. I don't cover the radiator. Ottawa is the second coldest capital city on the planet. The coldest is in Mongolia.

Aslo the coolant in my rad is good to 50 below.

[sc72]

Warm Festiva

I would go with the Mazda 2 stage T stat.
Sinse your temp gauge is telling you that the engine is up to a good opperating temp, i would be courious about the heater core being somewhat pluged. FB71 did a write up awhile back about how to clean out the deposits found in the cooling system using Cascade, give me just a second, OK here it is, it's in the,

Nice tidbit for those with barely any heat, Page 12, post #117

We live in Iowa and fully understand needing heat, i personally use the Mazda T stat and have done the Cascade flush and have good heat. Flushing the FB71 way takes some time and patience but i drive around in a warm festiva and my feet stay warm to. Good luck

[TominMO]

I have all openings blocked (bumper and grill) except the driver's side grill. When it's really cold I stick a piece of black duct tape over that last opening.

[hotfordcat]

I never have blocked the grille opening. I use the good Mazda two stage T-stat and my heat is fine!!! It gets COLD in South Dakota.

[georgeb]

Used cardboard on my Nissan Truck and head gasket blew. Did not overheat so don't know if related.

[bhazard]

All front openings blocked. Sometimes it gets warm enough to kick the fans on but they keep it from overheating. Were just starting to get below freezing regularly. When its 0 on a regular basis that prolly won't be happening. Nice to have heat you have to turn down to keep from getting that tingly almost-literally-burning-me feeling.

[Kraig]

Cardboard. I run all year with the upper grille blocked with coroplast.

[Larry Hampton]

I realize many of you are from cooler climates than I. Now I've seen snowblowers in movies and on TV, but i never heard of a snow rake or ice damns until the.last 10 years or so.

I've also never had to block a radiator with a piece of cardboard before either. We're just entering freezing temps now and my gauge never gets off C and it takes about 10 miles to get warm enough for the dearest to start working.

I put cardboard in there, 16x16 and it gets about a 1/4 way up the gauge like it did this record summer we had. The other day on the way home, it got about halfway up the gauge, but it was 51F.

When do you put it in (tempwise) and when do you take it out?

These things are so cold natured.