question regarding cardboard

[SuperHO]

so winter has struck michigan (for the next couple of days anyway), and my car's taking forever and a day to heat up...which sucks twofold because not only is it not gettin the engine up to operating temp and causing gas mileage to blow, but my constant shivering is making it difficult to change tracks on my ipod. i'm wondering how much of the radiator i can cover up with cardboard before i run into problems. thoughts?

 

[NP SHO]

Who needs coolant in the winter? I say you go with a DIY radiator bypass... lmao

 

[hawkeye18]

I'd say cover 75% of it, and carry a pair of shears with you. If the car starts overheating, cut another chunk of the cardboard out, until you strike a nice balance.

 

[rubydist]

what I used to do when I lived up in the great white north was to take a piece of cardboard as large as the whole radiator, cut a hole in the center approx 12" diameter and then stick that in front of the radiator. the hole allows some air to flow over the radiator, but a lot less than without the cardboard.

 

[SuperHO]

i think i'll try that. ^ i've got over 2/3s of it covered right now and the old girl got a tad on the warm side comin into work this morning. looks like it's time to jack her up and crawl underneath to measure.

 

[Racer X]

Is your thermostat stuck open or something? The stock thermostat opens at 190º IIRC, that should be plenty hot.

 

[rubydist]

Is your thermostat stuck open or something? The stock thermostat opens at 190º IIRC, that should be plenty hot.

when its below zero F outside, there is enough heat transfer from the block, etc. that it will never warm up even if the thermostat works properly.

 

[SHOhopefull]

Tim, I know this is an obvious question, but how's the coolant level?

 

[SuperHO]

coolant level's fine. i check it at least once a week when i check my oil. and it's actual coolant, not just hose water...thought i'd clarify that...

 

[sho_ted]

i live when its goes down belowzero, dont have problems with a car warming.