Radiator debris obstruction

[O Vette]

Out of curiosity I got my head down under the front of the car and looked up at the radiator. Too my surprise there was a bunch of grass, leaves etc., covering about the top two inches of the radiator. The debris was about an inch and a half thick. I was able to reach up and remove it. I'm not sure if this would create a cooling problem but, it sure can't be good. I guess taking a good look at this area every now is then is a good idea. Too bad I didn't find any paperbacks up there.

 

[Jistari]

You can do this:

I got tired of vacuuming a path as I rolled into the garage in the fall otfl

You can get fancy by using chromed or the same screens as they sell for the visible openings but be advised that type of closer mesh blocks as much as 60% of the airflow (there is a calculator on the McMasters site that shows what flow you get from what box per inch mesh you choose). Turns out the regular 1/4 inch mesh you get at Home Depot or Lowes is a very good compromise, small enough to keep most stuff out but large enough to keep good flow (forget the numbers at the moment, I did this last fall, check McMasters before selecting mesh).

 

[O Vette]

Thanks. I will pursue that option. As you pointed out, mesh can significantly reduce airflow, much more than one might suspect.

 

[Fullback32]

So what about installing the actual Z06 mesh the aftermarket guys sell? I understand the reduction of airflow, but since they are on the Z06, they can't be that bad, right? Forgive my ignorance....I just drive 'em, not fix 'em.

 

[njlouc]

This is very timely. I cleaned mine out last year and found a lot of paper etc.
This year it's clean, but there are a lot of leaf pieces stuck at the top and it is difficult to remove.
My concern is that it will harbor moisture and rot the top of the radiator.
I thought it would be best to remove the plastic shield found under the hood and under the engine air intake. It looks like you have to take half the car apart to remove it . Is there a trick to a quick removal??

 

[killain]

Radiator garbage

I recognized this problem after my 2003 was two years old. The fall leaves had blown up inside the rediator and the air cleaner, I vacumed the debris out. Then I looked around and I found a heavy duty diamond screen from Mid-America it's item #618-140 and it was a snap to install, remove three hex head screws, slid in the diamond screen/shield and put and tighten the three screws and I haven't had so much as a candy wrapper get up in there. The screen cost $59.99, but it's a good solid zinc clad screen/shield. Won't rust and it's a tight fit, so there's no rattles or scraping.

 

[Jistari]

Guys, use what you want its your car, but you may want to take a look at the info on the McMasters site. Find a product they offer that is similar to what you intend to use (same thickness wire, same boxes per inch) and just take a look at the amount of flow what you intend to use will block.

I originally intended to use the exact chrome plated diamond type mesh that we commonly see in the Z06 type screens until I deduced that it would likely decrease airflow by 70% :W Im not an engineer, I made my decision based on the stats given for an apparently identical mesh I referenced on the site.

I could be wrong but you should take a look before you buy whatever it is you decide to use.

And Fullback, yup the mesh is used on the Z06, on the brake duct openings not the engine intake.