Winter question; radiator block?

[LukeP]

I find that this car can keep warm enough up to around 0F, but below that down to about -20 and especially -30 F the car has a very hard time getting warm enough to properly defrost, and to clear the windows and keep the interior dry so it doesnt frost up on the inside.

Does anyone who lives in an extreme climate use any kind of (partial) radiator blocker or winter bra to retain some more heat? I could run it harder to heat it up but thats difficult on zero traction and kind of a waste of gas.

 

[Sport6]

piece of cardboard used to do it in my old 97 rodeo when it was on its last leg

 

[MikeHTally]

I used that on an old Ford P/U that had a stuck-open t-stat. Sounds like a warm-up period might be in order? I let mine warm up a few minutes these days, an' it's only in the 20s-30s here.

 

[bykeryder4life]

I would get some thick black fabric or something and connect it where the mesh is on the front grill, then you can roll it up/down to get the air flow dialed in. watch ice road truckers and see what they have it looks like a giant shammy or chamois however its spelt(those things you dry the car with)...

 

[LukeP]

Sounds like a warm-up period might be in order? I let mine warm up a few minutes these days, an' it's only in the 20s-30s here.

Believe me I do warm it up. But even after running for 10-15 minutes in this temperature, "warm" means slightly less than freezing, enough so the oil is liquid again. I find the car just can't get hot enough in -20 and below to cope with ice buildup and frosting on the windows, especially in the back.

My old Civic EG6 was small enough that it's defroster could get the job done, even though on the more bitter days you could watch the engine temp drop when stopped at red lights.

 

[Sport6]

I never really liked the design of the defroster vent on the windshield.. I always thought it should be lower down and go further across the windshield to be more effective.

 

[ZyrehT]

I didn't have any problems at -15, don't know what to tell you.

 

[bykeryder4life]

^^^^well, he does, so thats pretty useless to be adding into the thread IMO

 

[Sport6]

Like MikeHTally said, the thermostat might be stuck open. It will pump all that ice cold coolant through the system for a while not really letting the car get warmed up.. maybe you should take it in to the dealer to check it out?

 

[ZyrehT]

^^^^well, he does, so thats pretty useless to be adding into the thread IMO

Since the problem seems to only be happening to him, it does. IMO ^^^^ was pretty useless as well.

 

[Tigs]

I find that this car can keep warm enough up to around 0F, but below that down to about -20 and especially -30 F the car has a very hard time getting warm enough to properly defrost, and to clear the windows and keep the interior dry so it doesnt frost up on the inside.

Does anyone who lives in an extreme climate use any kind of (partial) radiator blocker or winter bra to retain some more heat? I could run it harder to heat it up but thats difficult on zero traction and kind of a waste of gas.

Hmm, Im up in Canada, and subject to -35 to -40degrees Celcius. So far, I've never had an issue with the car not keeping the windows clear (highway speeds or not). However, if you add 5 ppl to the car then yes, due to the added moisture I've found pretty much all vehicles have a hard time then. If yours isn't keeping it clear with just yourself driving, perhaps have it checked out, could be something wrong.

tata for now,

Tigs

 

[madvillian]

just move out to arizona! problems solved, its midnight right now and just rained and i think its about 75* outside hahah

 

[pointysticks]

i had another car do the same thing(drove to denver). take the car in to get checked out. if the t-stat is doing it's thing, the radiator shouldnt even come into play if the weather is uber cold.

(damn, how do you people do it? it is bright sunny, and about 60 right now)

 

[MikeHTally]

Kinda what I'm thinnin'. The 'stat opens at around 200 or so? Closes at 190 maybe? If it's stuck open, the motor will never really warm up in cold weather. May not run right, either. Here in frigid North Florida and 22 the other morning, I still had "normal" gauge position within three miles. The engine will gain heat at the same rate, regardless of outside temps.