Radiator Block in TCH
#1
11-22-2007, 02:47 PM
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Posts: 523
Radiator Block in TCH
Does anyone have experience blocking the airflow to the radiator in the TCH to keep it running warmer in the winter? I've seen threads discussing this for the Prius but not the TCH. If anyone's done this, I'd like to hear about their success (or not), gains in FE, and maybe even some suggestions on how-to. Thanks.
#2
11-22-2007, 11:07 PM
Active Enthusiast
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Arlington Heights, IL (Chicagoland)
Posts: 244
Re: Radiator Block in TCH
From a previous post of mine...
I have a ScanGauge and haven't seen any over temperature issues with the grille block. I did take it out when the temperatures remained above 50 or 60 consistently last Spring.
Haven't done any real analysis of before vs after, but it supposedly helps with the Prius. If it helps the Prius, it should help the TCH as well.
Prius guys (or gals) stick foam pipe insulation between their grille slats.
On my Camry Hybrid, the foam pipe wouldn't work. So I bought some foam-core "poster" board and zip-tied it to the inside of my grille. Poke 2 holes through the board where the grille slat it, put a tie through the holes and around the slat. Works very well. And is nearly invisible.
A side advantage I see with grille blocking, is less salt spray inside the engine compartment!
On my Camry Hybrid, the foam pipe wouldn't work. So I bought some foam-core "poster" board and zip-tied it to the inside of my grille. Poke 2 holes through the board where the grille slat it, put a tie through the holes and around the slat. Works very well. And is nearly invisible.
A side advantage I see with grille blocking, is less salt spray inside the engine compartment!
Haven't done any real analysis of before vs after, but it supposedly helps with the Prius. If it helps the Prius, it should help the TCH as well.
#3
11-23-2007, 10:15 AM
Re: Radiator Block in TCH
The TCH's radiator thermostat opens at 82 degrees C. In cooler weather in in-town driving, the engine block coolant temperature often never gets hot enough to open the thermostat's valve. ScanGauge shows readings frequently in the 50-70 degree C range in town. The engine coolant then circulates only through the cabin radiator to provide heat to the occupants. [Incidentally, this is enough to pull the block temperature down by a degree C every few seconds!] On the highway, the water temperature will rise higher, and grille blocking is not beneficial. In consequence, blocking the radiator grille will have only a marginal effect on engine temperature, and is not worth doing in my opinion.
Stan
Stan
Last edited by SPL; 11-27-2007 at 10:22 AM. Reason: Increased the in-town temperature range cited.
#4
11-23-2007, 09:44 PM
Active Enthusiast
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Arlington Heights, IL (Chicagoland)
Posts: 244
Re: Radiator Block in TCH
Even if there is no effect with temperature, blocking the grille in the winter helps keep salt spray out of the engine!
As I said I never did a controlled before-after experiment. But my gut feel was that there wasn't a big (if any) difference in warming up time.
As I said I never did a controlled before-after experiment. But my gut feel was that there wasn't a big (if any) difference in warming up time.
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