Cold weather radiator shielding

[carina71]

This thread is sort of a part II to "extreme cold pics" in the gallery section.

I decided to shield my radiator to extreme cold weather conditions. (Better late than never I guess). You can do this in warmer winter climates too, but be careful to not over do it or your radiator/engine will run too hot or over heat. The advantages to doing this is that your car will warm more quickly in cold weather, and it will hold its heat a little longer once you turn off your engine (say to go and buy groceries). Other advantages are... aahhemm... your radiator won't freeze while you are driving in extremely cold weather.

Also, if your heater seems to be performing poorly, you might want to give this a try.

The first pic showing my "emergency" radiator shield. A coat I put under the hood the day my radiator froze.

 

[carina71]

This is what the radiator normally looks like

 

[carina71]

Here is the product I used to shield the radiator. It's called reflectix, bubble wrap with thin aluminum foil bonded on each side.

 

[carina71]

Here's another picture of it. This roll cost me $10 at Home Depot. I only used a 2' wide by 1.5' tall piece, and a little extra for small places.

 

[carina71]

Here's a close up of the left side showing a small, hard to get to place. The main 2'x1.5' piece I slid up from the bottom, right against the radiator.

 

[carina71]

Same area as above but with a 3 inch by 1.5 foot piece in that tough to get to place (far left).

 

[carina71]

Same area again, but with some foil tape to keep it in place.

 

[carina71]

Now the right side with a little tape.

 

[carina71]

The little heat sink too!

 

[carina71]

ALL DONE! I did test it at 5F, and the temp gauge was normal (just a little below middle). Note that I left about 6" at the bottom of the radiator exposed, so that I don't overheat.

 

[Mark86]

Very good demonstartion of how to and what to shield your radiator with. Just a quick question, what does that plug hanging out of your fender near the license plate do?

 

[sharp4runr]

Very good demonstartion of how to and what to shield your radiator with. Just a quick question, what does that plug hanging out of your fender near the license plate do?

Engine block heater?

Very inventive Carina! You get the Macgyver award of the week! :arrow:

 

[jharris2]

Proof that duct tape can fix anything!

 

[spyderdoc]

Yeah, Hmmmmm, I don't think I'll be needing one of those anytime soon here in SoCal where it is 75 and sunny on the same day that you applied and tested your heat shield....

Maybe though, I can put that stuff on my roof to keep the CIA and Martians from listening in on my thoughts and trying to control me!:bash:

 

[carina71]

Very good demonstartion of how to and what to shield your radiator with. Just a quick question, what does that plug hanging out of your fender near the license plate do?

sharp4runr is right, it goes to my engine block heater. It also goes to my oil pan heater and battery heater. I intend to replace the battery heater with an under-the-hood trickle charger, which I like better.

 

[ToyotaDoodz]

Great write up. I like the quick disconnect features of the foil tape and it's easily renewable.

Now all you need is the rock guard.

 

[carina71]

Now all you need is the rock guard.

Yeah, I do still NEED:

The rock guard
3" lift
Turbo Charger
performance exhaust
custom made (by me of course) canoe roof rack, etc, etc, etc.