To cover Radiator or Not.

[MOConnor]

I need to know why and if I should cover the radiator when it is cold out. The temp around here in New York has been cold in the 20's at night and 30's to 40's in the daytime... ... ..... Thanks Mike

 

[FPoitra]

I dont cover mine and its already been below zero a couple of times here in good ole ND. Does take awhile to warm up though.

 

[ImagesThatSing]

Have never covered ours and it works just fine, but have some friends who drove a long ways to go hunting in sub zero weather and indicated they thought it would have been useful to cover on the trip.

 

[Dean Upson]

Mike,



I used a radiator cover back when I had my '94 and there was no advantage to using it here in northeastern CT. I never used one on my 98. 5 or my present truck and unless I moved way north or to a much higher elevation, I would consider it a waste of time and money for me. A cover would help throw some heat a bit quicker if that is a concern.



Dean

 

[mbaston]

On my 03, I have operated in temps down to -36 without a cover and was able to maintain operating temperature no problem. I think the cover would help for a faster warm up but it isn't too bad. My 12 valve 95 was a whole different story. Without the covers, my heater didn't work much in the extreme cold. With the covers on, I would get some heat but at -30, it never got real warm in the cab.

 

[sellisrulz]

Same here, I've got my radiator partially covered, and it doesnt help much if at all.

-40 last week

 

[TCDiesel]

Cover

I have had my cover on for a couple weeks this year, had it on last year,Coolant does warm up faster ,But not any hotter . Different story with transmission hotter faster an always warmer,Last year I could not get above 140*,With cover off,Now it maintains 140/160.