Anyone sporting a grill block in the winter

[123mike]

I do this on my Saab 900, Heats up faster, aerodynamic. Anyone else doin this in the cold? Mike

[123mike]

Pic

[resto108]

I don't block the radiator in Wichita, and my heat comes on less than a mile down the road with no warm up.

[123mike]

I'm freezing. Takes forever to get warm. It's only30 degrees in the morning. I'm in north west Georgia that's way colder than Withitall. When I get frost on my windows, the temp gauge is below 80. Mike

[JimFreeh]

If your cooling system and thermostat are working properly, why would it take any longer to reach temperature?

The t-stat blocks the flow of water through the radiator until op temp is reached, blocking the flow of air should not matter.

As an aside, I have done this when I've had cars with faulty t-stats.....

Jim

[123mike]

I may be a special case. The 1980 body with a 83 engine, I had to do some hose chicanery to seal up the heater pipes. My def blows full blast. Tats alll she do.. Tomorrow morn will be a test.

[charmalu]

Iam thinking T-Stat also is bad.

Also, when you turn on the two temp control knobs, does the water valve (on the Firewall) levers move?
This valve controls the water through the Heater Core.

Is this 83 engine a OM616? (240D engine) They should hook up the same.
Even if you swapped in a OM617, the coolant hoses should connect similar.

Our 80 240D with 385K miles heats up quickly even when down in the teens or 20`s.

Charlie

[mannys9130]

Yeah, the thermostat isn't doing what it needs to. The thermostat allows recirculation through the block and heater core. Then it will start to open and do both. Finally it will open all the way and send all of the coolant through the radiator. The engine should come up to temp once you start moving. Cruising at 2000 rpm will get it up to temp quick.

[123mike]

Charmalu, I still have not plugged in the water switch. The 1980 had a load of vacuum hoses going to a water switch. The 83 looks like it had more water hoses and less vacuum hoses. For all I now , the hot water is flowing back wards to the heater core. It's 300d turbo now
it was an 80 300d . I will change the t-stat. I will post a pic of the hoses and make Manny disappointed in me. Mike

[123mike]

Results are in! On a cold morning, temp stayed below 80 without, now it covers the 80 on the dial with grill block. Engine gets to temp after maybe 5 miles going 35 mph. I was worried it might overheat. I will take t-stat at off homerthedonor next semi warm weekend. I also have cold air leaking up my shifter hole. Last sentence gave me a chuckle. Mike

[zu!]

When I was up in the Yukon, just about every vehicle, gas or diesel, had their radiators covered. On my Landcruiser, if just idling in cold weather, it helps to cover the rad to maintain temps.

I've not had problems with any of my Mercs. Thermostat is easy to change. Give it a shot.


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[yuke]

Yes sounds like you have thermostat problems, if you want a hotter running motor cover the radiator any amount to your likeing if it runs too hot simply pull over and uncover, you could take your fan blade off also some people are running with no fan blade I would not recommend in hot weather. My 617 gets up to 80c in about 3 miles even when temps. are in the single didgets like they were this morning.

[Ceristimo]

In North Pole, Alaska - where last winter I measured -52f in my drive way - a piece of cardboard makes all the difference. Without it, the engine cools off when driving...