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Author Topic: Grill Block  (Read 1609 times)

Offline Bubba

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Grill Block
« on: December 17, 2010, 09:15:49 pm »
During winter, your car doesn't need its grill open to the wind, not on the prairies, at least.  I seal the grill with plastic sheeting used for signage.  Works great.  Engine temp stays @ 200°F at 75 mph while returning 30 mpg.  I'm sure there's a benefit to fuel consumption, but I have no firm data on that.

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Offline Railton

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Re: Grill Block
« Reply #1 on: December 17, 2010, 09:25:17 pm »
Wow, that takes me back. Do you guys still have/use those little stick on windows that don't frost up so you can see out too?!
I suppose using those blocks is easier than changing the thermostat too! ;)
 :cheers:
Railton
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Offline tenpenny

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Re: Grill Block
« Reply #2 on: December 17, 2010, 09:30:06 pm »
Isn't that block heater cord going to beat the crap out of your paint at highway speeds?
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Offline Bubba

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Re: Grill Block
« Reply #3 on: December 17, 2010, 10:01:59 pm »
Quote from: Railton on December 17, 2010, 09:25:17 pm
Wow, that takes me back. Do you guys still have/use those little stick on windows that don't frost up so you can see out too?!
I suppose using those blocks is easier than changing the thermostat too! ;)
 :cheers:
Railton

Ventilation systems have improved so much that frost shields aren't required.

Quote from: tenpenny on December 17, 2010, 09:30:06 pm
Isn't that block heater cord going to beat the crap out of your paint at highway speeds?

No.  It's pretty much frozen solid out front and doesn't move.   ;D
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Offline Brig

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Re: Grill Block
« Reply #4 on: December 17, 2010, 10:32:24 pm »
 :rofl2: :rofl2: :rofl2:
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Offline aquadorhj

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Re: Grill Block
« Reply #5 on: December 18, 2010, 12:14:17 am »
i might have to do that.   ;D

the other day i was driving in -20, my temp sensor kept crawling under the mid mark.
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Offline dr_spock

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Re: Grill Block
« Reply #6 on: December 18, 2010, 10:00:01 am »
I think you should paint some shark teeth on the plastic sheeting.  :)

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Offline Sir Osis of Liver

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Re: Grill Block
« Reply #7 on: December 18, 2010, 12:13:51 pm »
Quote from: dr_spock on December 18, 2010, 10:00:01 am
I think you should paint some shark teeth on the plastic sheeting.  :)



 ;D
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Offline Minou

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Re: Grill Block
« Reply #8 on: December 20, 2010, 08:12:52 pm »
In the past, I used to block the grill (not all but most of it or the lower area and leave the engine air intake area free) on several of my cars with use of the block heater to keep the heat a bit more.  I  remember my '88 CRX where the engine temp wouldn't go up at all or even go down when driving with the heat setting at max and fan speed in 3rd gear plus using the engine BH.  Blocking the grill sure helped on those days.

But that was when I was living in colder more remote areas with no traffic.

I don't do it anymore with a heated garage and usual Montreal gridlock.

In Chibougamau Qc and James Bay area, people would just roll the engine block heater extension cord around the passenger side mirror to use at work.  I did that for a while but the copper wire inside the insulator broke at the plug from being bent at an odd angle and I had to fix it at -30C...

I would also always use a plastic cap over my exterior BH plug to prevent roadsalt shorting it.
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