Radiator blocking up

[muddyjames]

My disco takes forever to warm up when doing 30mph all the way into work at 3:30am and at minus 5 degrees C.

I was wondering. If I were to block up the radiator with cardboard or something will the engine warm up faster as at the moment the temp gauge needle moves just as I drive along the last 100 yards to my office after an 8 mile drive.

On the way home it heats up after about 4-5 miles as the air is then slightly warmer.

What would be the best thing to block the rad with?

[hobbit]

The easiest thing would check the stat, and if it works at what temp, if its permanently open or early opening..A hotter opening one could be an option

Also check the viscous fan coupling, to see if its loose when cold and tight when hot

[chuggaman]

I was wondering. If I were to block up the radiator with cardboard or something will the engine warm up faster

 :shock:  :shock:

dont put cardboard in the coolant.

change the thermostat.

mike

[muddyjames]

I didnt mean puting cardboard in the coolant!

I meant putting a piece of cardboard in front of the radiator or in front of the radiator grill.

A mate did it to her ford escort a few years back and they said it made all the difference and my dad also did it with a couple of his old cars including a series 3 many years ago.

[muddysteve]

been having the same problem, fitted a new stat now warms up a treat. dead easy job too

Steve

[Bobtail]

My disco takes forever to warm up when doing 30mph all the way into work at 3:30am and at minus 5 degrees C.

I was wondering. If I were to block up the radiator with cardboard or something will the engine warm up faster as at the moment the temp gauge needle moves just as I drive along the last 100 yards to my office after an 8 mile drive.

On the way home it heats up after about 4-5 miles as the air is then slightly warmer.

What would be the best thing to block the rad with?

Is it a 200 or 300

my 300 is just the same and i have changed thermostat

must check viscous fan

[petergalileo]

As indicated in the above answers, you should never need to cover up a radiator as the thermostat remains closed (cutting the radiator out of the cooling system) until the engine warms up.  

I have a V8 and I had the exact same problem even after I changed the thermostat, It turned out that It loosely sits in the housing and when I replaced the cover it slipped down slightly.

Easiest way to roughly check thermostat operation is to start your motor up from cold, pop the bonnet and keep checking the temperature of the radiator top hose with your hand.  If your thermostat is either not present or stuck open the top hose will gradually get warmer.

If all is well, the hose will remain cold until the engine is slightly below its normal operating temperature then it will get hot almost instantly as the thermostat opens.

[datalas]

I would check the viscous fan unit and make sure that it is actually viscous.

Roo at the moment has no fan attached as the tdi is notoriously over cooled, and the fan was perminantly spinning.   On a run of 50 or so miles, it still barely gets above the 1/4 mark now that the radiator is nice and clean.

Then again, I drive slower than most people.

[muddyjames]

300tdi M reg

[hobbit]

I would check the viscous fan unit and make sure that it is actually viscous.

Roo at the moment has no fan attached as the tdi is notoriously over cooled, and the fan was perminantly spinning.   On a run of 50 or so miles, it still barely gets above the 1/4 mark now that the radiator is nice and clean.

Then again, I drive slower than most people.

If you get stuck behind me you would have to re think that statement  :lol: