Oil rad grill, protection or cosmetic?

[Deleted member CB]

Do they serve a function or are they just for fancy?
Anyone ever had a stone through their radiator?
Do they make a difference with insects & crap, after all they're still full of holes, ain't they

 

[alexw]

I checked mine 5 days ago and to my surprise I had a small stone lodged in between the vanes. Pulled it out and immediately ordered a radiator cover.

 

[cookie]

they do cover a surprising area of oil cooler. i worked it out once, it was about 1/3 IIRC.

 

[Dribblers Dad]

they do cover a surprising area of oil cooler. i worked it out once, it was about 1/3 IIRC.

Does this make a difference to the efficiency of the rad then? Covering a third of the frontal area must restrict the airflow.

Cheers DD

 

[Fanum]

Does this make a difference to the efficiency of the rad then? Covering a third of the frontal area must restrict the airflow.

Cheers DD

I don't think so........I've certainly not noticed any difference in running temp with or without it, including hard work in Morocco.

Don't forget that the steel plate is still up against the rad so it'll absorb the heat and re-radiate ititself...it's notas if you're insulating it so the difference in performance won't be anything like the 1/3 coverage might suggest.

 

[cookie]

Does this make a difference to the efficiency of the rad then? Covering a third of the frontal area must restrict the airflow.

Cheers DD

never noticed any difference on my 1150 RID, but it is fairly coarsely graduated.

 

[Slowdown]

It's just peace of mind isn't it? Do you buy Fully Comp Insurance or TPFT? Same thing, innit

And Airflow isn't an issue - it's right out in the open 'full on' airflow.

 

[Dribblers Dad]

Thats good info guys, I have considered a grill before but have resisted because of possible overheating, if people who have them fitted and have used them in quite hot climates are not seing any major rise in engine temps then I would say that they are probably worth fitting.

Cheers DD

 

[Deleted member CB]

Has anyone ever had the radiator punctured by a stone, thats what I want to know.

 

[AA388]

Has anyone ever had the radiator punctured by a stone

Not me, But I had to prise the remains of a pheasant head from between the vanes last week. Thats my reason for getting one.

 

[Deleted account 231211001]

Glad I had the cover on as this beastie would have been a twat to get out of the oil coller grille. Still pulsing and waving legs and arms and a bike chain at me!

 

[terayon]

Had a couple of them this year already, a grill makes it a lot easier getting them out than trying to get between the rad fins with tweezers