Opinions on radiator screens

[Dieselnerd]

In my 2nd gen truck I always had a frame covered with window screen over my radiator. It kept everything clean and bug free and just needed the bugs to be brushed off from time to time. I never had any kind of overheating problem in all the years I had it. I've been considering doing the same thing on my new '05 but I know they run hotter and was wondering if anyone else is covering theirs with window screen? It sure keeps the bugs and debris out of where you don't want it. Thanks for your comments.

 

[JPope]

Hi Ron, good to see you posting again!!!!

Will you eventually talk to Dave about the transmission?

Based upon your advise, discussions, I did that several years ago and am happy, Thanks!!!



And I remember the 'wars' that went on then about auto transmission's (in fact they still continue occasionally :{ )



As you probably remember, the issue of screens and covering the radiators caused 'wars' also, people leaving, etc. :{



Maybe see what the 3rd generation guys say, cause I have a 2nd Gen, and started having heat issues last summer when I had a radiator screen, and taking it off solved that, but haven't heard anything about the 3rd Gens, but do not visit there forums often??



Good Luck!

 

[jcarey]

This may not be germaine to truck radiators (nor a valid statement), but I was told that window screens block about 25% of the air coming into a house.



If that's true, then it's logical to assume that a certain percentage of incoming air is blocked with a radiator screen.



If nothing else, maybe we can stir up the pot.



Jim

 

[RustyJC]

Oh, as I recall those old radiator screen threads, the pot stirred itself awfully well!! :-{} #@$%! :-laf



Rusty

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I think I'll just keep on using the screen on my '02, enjoy the cleaner radiator fins and stable coolent temps - and AVOID the "screen wars" completely...





OOPS! Too late!

 

[GerryDrake]

Though not in any ambient temperatures over about 85°, I have had a chunk of screen draped in front of my radiator for a little over a year, including some towing of the 5'er and haven't seen any problems with overheating. It sure does snag the bugs, but I have it kind of loose, so it probably flexes a little and drops a lot of them off. I just cut a chunk oversized and with wire ties loosely attached it at the corners. .

 

[Hohn]

I have screen on my radiator-- and it's TWO layers.



The only time I could get my truck hot was crawling in the mountains through a foot of snow at 12K feet with no engine fan. EGTS were sustained about 1000 at 10mph.



That extreme altitiude is a killer. I still have the screen on, and UNTIL it causes a problem, I see no reason to remove it.



My theory is that the loss in cooling efficiency from windowscreen is less than the loss from all the bugs caught in the radiator.



JMHO

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

"My theory is that the loss in cooling efficiency from windowscreen is less than the loss from all the bugs caught in the radiator. "



YUP - that's sure the way *I* see it too!

 

[JGK]

Try getting a piece of "hardware cloth" (screen) with 1/8" grid. Its usually galvanized steel wire which allows you to mold it a bit to hold it in place. It flows better due to larger holes, lasts longer, and will stop virutally all typical rocks and fragment all bugs like standard window screen.



I got mine at Ace Hardware.



-Jay

 

[macdaddy]

Yup!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"My theory is that the loss in cooling efficiency from windowscreen is less than the loss from all the bugs caught in the radiator. "



YUP - that's sure the way *I* see it too!

Me too Gary been running em for almost 7 years now. The 05 has had one since I installed it at the dealer with my salesmen looking on!!!!!!!!!.



The radiator is, well you can say



LIKE A VIRGIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Mac

 

[RDyson]

I used the black cloth screen on mine. Have not had any cooling problems. I liked the black because you cant see it under the grill.

 

[Texas Diesel]

I have used window screens on every vehicle I have owned since 95. Towed in 105F, up the Rocky Mountains. Never a problem. The only ones I have seen overheated have had their radiators full of decaying bugs.



The statement in the manual about not covering the radiator with window screen is stupid.



Lets see, lets compare air flow between a factory new radiator and a factory new radiator with a window screen. Duh, the screened one flows less of course.



The correct test would be a radiator with a window screen compared to a radiator full of bugs. Wonder which one will perform better then.



Engineers, they spend too much time in theoretical nonsense and not enough time getting where the grease is.

 

[Dieselnerd]

Thanks for all the thoughtful answers! I always figured a clean radiator with a screen worked better than one full of bugs. I think I'll give it a try, if it gets too warm I can always take it off.



Jim Pope, I plan on keeping the engine stock so I don't think I'll be needing Dave's shop right now. If I have any problems with the 48RE I know where to go.

 

[TomGolden]

I also have been using a double layer of the nylon window screen as a radiator bug shield since the truck was new (4 1/2 years now) and 94K miles on it, no overheating issues at all. I don't tow heavy, only around 5 - 6K pounds, but it does get quite warm here in Sacramento area in summer.