Non Ghetto Radiator Covers For Cold Wx

[87mjdriver]

Ok so I moved to duluth, MN last year. One problem that I noticed on both my mj and zj is the coolant temp hardly gets to operating temp, which in turn doesn't let the hot water circulate which produces Luke warm air through the vents.

 

I've seen some guys just zip tie card board to their grills for the winter but that look horrible.

 

Does anyone have any ideas for fabbing up a cover that looks good and I don't have modify the grill to much, I don't want to just screw a sheet of canvas to the grill

[gogmorgo]

Check your thermostat. I've never has an issue with my MJ not warming up properly.

 

One thing my Dad's done with some of his vehicles is to put cardboard or something similar behind the grill. I've also seen commercial products where there's padded canvas that snaps onto the grill. A quick google turned up a Fia winter grill cover that will fit an XJ. There may be others.

[87mjdriver]

It's got a new radiator all new hoses and a 1 year old 195* t stat unless the gauge or temp sensor isn't reading right it never gets to temp, but that's the mj,

The zj runs fine and stays at temp, during 30* and up temps, but when air temps drop in the teens it doesn't get up to temp.

[Megadan]

Even if a t-stat is new, that doesn't mean it functions.  Did you test it before installation?  pot of water on the stove, a few minutes, and a thermometer can save a lot of headaches down the road.  I've tested more than one "new" thermostat rated at 190 that opened anywhere from 165 to 180.

 Blocking the radiator with cardboard is simply the cheap and easy alternative to higher temp t-stats and such.  As mentioned above, the canvas type covers with snaps (I prefer buckles so ice doesn't inhibit function) are a great option.  I have run one on my tractor (Freightliner, aka big rig) for a couple of years now when I go through the northern states in the winter time.  What makes them nice is that they are easy to adjust, so if I start heading south, I can open it up a bit and let more air in, and it only takes a few minutes.

 

You could try and make something similar to what this guy has done with ABS Plastic sheet.  Make individual slot blocks for the grille that you can remove or re-install as you desire. I think he said he simply used double sided tape, but I would probably look for a different solution.

[yxmj]

Living a bit North of you I can speak from experience. There are hotter thermostats available so changing is an option. The other thing I just did on my sons XJ ( and it worked so well I am doing it on the wife's tonight) is I went down to the car wash (or if you have your own) Pop off both heater hoses (make sure your heater was set to on and hot before you shut down) and the top rad hose at the T' stat hosing. Blast the car wash trough your heater core both ways until the water runs clear. Blast the water down the rad cap hole until the water runs clear out of the heater hose....cost me $4 for an economy coolant system flush. Replace all and fill up with correct anti-freeze. Made the heat so hot you could weld with it!

 

There are pleanty of after market winter fronts that are easy to install.

 

If you want to try to see if the "Cardboard Wintertization Program" is for you here are a couple of tips... 

 

1) Cut a piece of cardboard the same size as your front exposed fin area on your rad. Cut a 8" circle (or square if your not crafty) directly in line with your mechanical fan.

 

2) It is easier to stick the cardboard in from the bottom, just slide it up, there are actually a couple of little "lips" there so if you cut it right it will just sit in there.

 

3) Take it for a test drive and see how it does ( I have done this a lot of times with various vehicles with great success)

 

4) For looks spray bomb the cardboard flat black and nobody will be the wiser.

 

FYI .....on my YJ I fabbed up a piece of galvanized sheet metal instead of card board....been using it for 5 years

[87mjdriver]

Thanks guys, this site comes through again! I like that abs plastic insert thing,

Yxmj, I just did the back flush to the heater core and t stat housing, it started blowing hot, I'm kinda thinking the gauge or maybe the sensor is going bad cause it still reads low. I'm still gonna try the blackened cardboard on the inside of the grill when the temps drop below 0.