Partially obstructing radiators ok for winter?

[Pesca]

My dad used to do that in "not so cold" winter.
He had a short commute and wanted to get some warm air more quickly.

On another hand, I see that a lot of trucks have some materials in front of their radiators to limit the cold air flux in the engine bay.

Is it a good/smart thing to do on our cars?
Radiators are dimensioned for hot weather climate, so...
If yes, how much will you block? One third? Half?

I was planning using some plastic or cardboard and insert it between the bumper and the radiator.

Is it still a good idea even on long commute (about 1 hour drive)? on long travel (several hours)?

Feedbacks and experiences are welcome.

 

[Kestas]

I've heard stories where cars are brought into the shop for overheating issues around springtime. It seems that many owners forget to remove the cardboard after winter.

I've never found the need to block a radiator, even in Michigan.

 

[rg200amp]

Absolutly NOT on a gas motor!!! I have seen personally cars over heat/ blow a head gasket just because people have not cleared the snow away from there front end, and it blocked the radiator. Diesel motors in sub zero temps are the only thing going to gain anything from blocking the radiator.


Your car has a thermostat that cuts off cooled water from the radiator untill the motor is at operating temp.
You do not need, nor should you use anything to block your radiator.

But +1 on useing your noggin

 

[Smokescreen]

Hypermilers do this, with a scanguage to see real-time coolant temps to raise their engine temps for slightly better gas mileage and for short trips. Cleanmpg is one site that would be able to offer a more precise size of blockage is safe for your vehicle as lots are doing this. As well, many are using the corrugated plastic poster sign material with success.

 

[eoghan]

I've done it on some of my old cars & trucks in the past I am talking 60's era vehicles and I have had some that were very "cold blooded" and needed the cardboard to make them warm up so it would run right and also to get more heat out of those old heaters otherwise you ended up driving with one hand and using an ice scraper on the inside of the windshield with the other hand!!

 

[Pesca]

Thanks for the quick responses and for your concern.

But...

- My dad did it for years and never forget to remove it, I should be able to do the same I think (I can still put some warning in my calendar to be sure).

- I know that snow can kill an engine (I am a WRC rally fan) and always check my front bumper after I played in fresh snow. I know that a car needs to breeze as we do, even when we put layers to cover our faces.

- I have a scangauge and the WT is always on display... and that is why I ask this question:

I have a small part of my commute in town before hitting the highway. I noticed recently that I reached the highway more and more with WT not yet at 90C, meaning the oil is even lower.
By blocking partially the radiator, I wanted the WT to be higher (my personal comfort is not in play as contrary as my father), therefore the oil temperature to be higher and hitting the highway with less concern on wears (because not hot enough).

By having a higher WT, is the oil temperature higher or are they not that close related?

It seems that I have enough clearance to put it in and out easily on the Rogue. Do you still consider doing that too risky?

 

[eoghan]

just make sure to have a hole in the cardboard to let some air through!

 

[Pesca]

I was more thinking about blocking one third to half, not the whole radiator. I have a commute of less than a hour.

The full radiator is a little extreme, no?

 

[chevrofreak]

It's less of an issue with modern vehicles that use an electric thermostatically controlled cooling fan than it was with vehicles that used a mechanical fan, clutched or otherwise. With a mechanical fan that runs when the engine runs, it will slow down the warming of your engine block. Blocking the radiator caused the fan to move less air over the engine.

 

[daves66nova]

It should even save you gas doing this properly!

 

[byez]

That what I was thinking, won't a small increase in coolant temps raise the oil temps to a more suitable temperature during short trips in below freezing climates?

I ran some cardboard in front of my radiator here in Northern Alberta all last winter with no ill effects, perhaps it was all in my head but it seemed like it would warm up to operating temps much faster.

 

[cougargnw]

I have to in my work car/hobby car. I upgraded the cooling system components to be able to cope with our daily traffic jams in summer time. If I dont block off half the radiator in winter the engine will not get up to operating temp. Aluminum highflow radiators are the whip in 100+ degree temps.