Warming up,

[lozz]

Daft question,
but i thought id ask before itry it,

as anyone Blocked off there lower grille?
iknow on some cars, diesel ones it can bump up the mpg a good bit through the cold spells,
im going to make a plastic cover to block off the lower grille, Im not using tin foil

thats the plan anyway, just wonderd if anyones tried it already?

[lozz]

So far, it works ok on petrols, tried it on the pic,
seems to warm up alot quicker, showing agood 2mpg diffence on the Readout,

going to try it out on the Derv 406 tomoz and see if there is any differnce,

[steve_earwig]

I'd have thought it would only make a difference once the thermostat opened

[lozz]

^ correct mate,
but it seems to help the car run alot warmer
Temp gauge is not taking aslong to get to 90

[Doggy]

I was wondering if it would reduce the effectiveness of the intercooler, (which could be a good thing in cold weather).

[rwb]

I remembered this when I left work at 8: computer said -2, car iced up all over, 8 miles to get up to 90, then started creeping back down when I turned the fan up for some warm air.

I also remembered a neighbour years ago who recommended keeping a blanket over the radiator during cold weather.

And Americans cover up their cars when it's cold.

And black cabs have covers on their front grille.

[rwb]

Brrrrr

[Welly]

I remembered this when I left work at 8: computer said -2, car iced up all over, 8 miles to get up to 90, then started creeping back down when I turned the fan up for some warm air.

It shouldn't come down again and it shouldn't take 8 miles to get to 90 - I'd say the thermostat is letting water past and over-cooling the system. If you've never had a new thermostat it would be recommended to get one anyway - depending on water quality they don't last forever.

If you're going to try blocking stuff off then block the grille not the radiator fins.

[rwb]

On the way into work this morning I passed a Citroen van with a piece of cardboard fixed over the front grille with a cable tie.