Placing a cover on the grill

NPath · Jan 2nd, 2007, 07:44 PM

While driving home today, I noticed a Jeep YJ with cardboard tied on the front of the grill. With it being mostly covered the engine would run warmer with less cold air going through the engine compartment.

That's got me wondering if the YJ would get better fuel consumption since our winters are usually a little above freezing. I also remember seeing tractors with covers on their grills too during winters.

Any thoughts to this?

Oldnissanguy · Jan 3rd, 2007, 06:12 AM

This is primarily a problem with diesels, but theoretically if it's cold enough any vehicle could fail to reach normal operating temperature. I wouldn’t think this would be a problem for you in your part of BC but if any of your Pathys are not getting warm enough, try it. Just be careful because you can overheat your truck.

golfer · Jan 3rd, 2007, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NPath

While driving home today, I noticed a Jeep YJ with cardboard tied on the front of the grill. With it being mostly covered the engine would run warmer with less cold air going through the engine compartment.

That's got me wondering if the YJ would get better fuel consumption since our winters are usually a little above freezing. I also remember seeing tractors with covers on their grills too during winters.

Any thoughts to this?

That's not really necessary where you're from. As you said the normal winter temps. are around freezing compared to here where the temps can be -20 to -40 for weeks . The idea is to reduce COLD air across the rad to maintain higher temps for the heater.

As for getting better fuel consumption ... it won't do anything to improve it.

navygz19 · Jan 3rd, 2007, 08:32 AM

The only time I place anything on the front grill is when I'm following someone through ruts and they're rooster-tailing. This prevents the rad. from being caked completely in mud as well as fan splatter.