Cardboard over grille?

dereksbicycles

dereksbicycles

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I've seen some vehicles with cardboard over grille. I figure this is to try lessen hits of cold winds to engine compartments. I bet many of you have seen this. Do you think it is effective or just somewhat effective?
 
Most likely they are running on Diesel, Diesel don't keep heat in well during extreme cold, Diesel depends on heat to run properly.

Other reason, if they are gasoline version, then likely they got funky up thermostat can't keep inside warm So, cardboard reduce the heat loss from radiator.
 
For regular cars, I understand it isn't a good idea to use cardboard over the grille in the winter because of the possibility of the air flow restriction to the radiator can cause it to overheat. But if you have a faulty thermostat, it is a cheap fix.....
 
actually i seen it many times. Like diehard said- diesels engines use it or a leather flap opened in a V or buttoned up all the way. On gas cars, sometimes its done to make it get warmed up faster on short trips if the thermostat is stuck open to have heat in car.
 
I think it's stupid to have cardboard for gasoline engine. Maybe old times they had radiator got crack due too much water or bad mix with coolant.

For diesel, It's make sense because diesel love warm or bio-diesel will become gel and feels like butter at around 20ºF.
 
Reba said:
I've never seen this.
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It is more prevalent up in the north where it is fookin' cold. Many school buses used to have canvas with zippers so that you can open 'em up a little. 18 wheelers still have 'em too. Today's newer vehicles have designs that should eliminate the need......

If someone is using cardboard....there's a good chance that person has a mechanical issue and doesn't want to pay someone to fix it.

I had a Jetta diesel, and one time I drove on the highway for an hour, pulled over for a half hour to wait for someone while it was about 20°F, and I left it idling the whole time to keep warm, but the air coming out the vents eventually got cold, and I was surprised to see the temp gauge fall all the way back to the coldest temp. The car was brand new too.
 
dereksbicycles said:
I've seen some vehicles with cardboard over grille. I figure this is to try lessen hits of cold winds to engine compartments. I bet many of you have seen this. Do you think it is effective or just somewhat effective?
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Looks like motorist have problem with electric radiator fan motors stay running all the time. Or maybe hardship motorist filled lot water in radiator (cooling system), place a cardboard over grille to prevent coolant (too much water) freeze. What a poor cunning motorist..
 
radioman said:
actually i seen it many times. Like diehard said- diesels engines use it or a leather flap opened in a V or buttoned up all the way. On gas cars, sometimes its done to make it get warmed up faster on short trips if the thermostat is stuck open to have heat in car.
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Yep, I've seen the adjustable vertical blind built-in grilles for big trucks.
 
The Highlander said:
I think it's stupid to have cardboard for gasoline engine. Maybe old times they had radiator got crack due too much water or bad mix with coolant.

For diesel, It's make sense because diesel love warm or bio-diesel will become gel and feels like butter at around 20ºF.
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I still use cardboard or fender cover to block the airflow to condenser/radiator while diagnose A/C system cuz the pressure gauge readings doesn't change quick and investigate fault compressor or expansion valve. AND for old school cars with no clutch fans (fixed fan blades), I use a fender cover over the radiator for cooling service faster.
 
Why needs AC during winter time like 20°F here. I don't see any old school vehicles too because rust risk and bad for ice due RWD and no TCS.
 
AC won't work when it is 30 degrees or below, and won't work when over 130 degrees. AC used during winter often to defog the windows when the engine isn't hot enough to heat the air and dry them. AC gives instant cool and dry air, bam defogging the windshield.

The Highlander said:
Why needs AC during winter time like 20°F here. I don't see any old school vehicles too because rust risk and bad for ice due RWD and no TCS.
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Exactly! I don't understand why need cardboard for. You can use cold blower without AC needs for winter but I use heater to melt ice and defogging better for winter.
 
Cardboard covered front grill on vehicles usually runs on Diesel. I can't get inside my diesel vehicle warm enough. So cardboard on front helps a lot.

AND Diesel vehicle owners would want keep engine warm as long as possible for easier restart, otherwise plug in is required in order to be able to start engine. I have tested, and my truck can't start at 9 degrees without plug in overnight.

The Highlander said:
Exactly! I don't understand why need cardboard for. You can use cold blower without AC needs for winter but I use heater to melt ice and defogging better for winter.
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diehardbiker said:
Cardboard covered front grill on vehicles usually runs on Diesel. I can't get inside my diesel vehicle warm enough. So cardboard on front helps a lot.

AND Diesel vehicle owners would want keep engine warm as long as possible for easier restart, otherwise plug in is required in order to be able to start engine. I have tested, and my truck can't start at 9 degrees without plug in overnight.
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Read whole this topic first before you said. :)


http://www.alldeaf.com/2278801-post6.html
 
diehardbiker said:
AC won't work when it is 30 degrees or below, and won't work when over 130 degrees. AC used during winter often to defog the windows when the engine isn't hot enough to heat the air and dry them. AC gives instant cool and dry air, bam defogging the windshield.
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Right. Over 130 degree? I can't remember.
 
The Highlander said:
Exactly! I don't understand why need cardboard for. You can use cold blower without AC needs for winter but I use heater to melt ice and defogging better for winter.
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Because oil in A/C compressor and system need to circulating, compressor will run anytime if you turn to heater or defrost mode but compressor will shut off when the ambient temperature is around 35 degree depend on the vehicle manufacturers. If you want to remove fuse to disable A/C compressor, stay with heater for winter time, reinstall fuse to activate the compressor in spring/summer time then the compressor may develop noises or seize.
 
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