Radiator Muff

[Ncrover725]

With winter approaching in a few months I was looking for knowledge on radiator muffs. I am most curious to what temperature range should they be used in and their use on longer trips. I guess the common sense approach would be to monitor your temp gauge and go from there.

[msggunny]

With winter approaching in a few months I was looking for knowledge on radiator muffs. I am most curious to what temperature range should they be used in and their use on longer trips. I guess the common sense approach would be to monitor your temp gauge and go from there.

I used one when i was in Jacksonville, it got cold enough to affect the temp of the engine. Up here i havent had it running long enough to worry about it.....

[Ncrover725]

Jacksonville

You are talking about Camp Lejune (Jacksonville) and not Jacksonville Florida right? Im not to far from Lejune.

[msggunny]

You are talking about Camp Lejune (Jacksonville) and not Jacksonville Florida right? Im not to far from Lejune.

Yup, Le Jeune.

In late December to early March it would get cool enough. Not sure if its because of how efficent the cooling system is or if its something else......

[I Leak Oil]

I run mine for a couple months here in the Northeast. Usually the flaps are open, only closing them when it's in single digits or so. 20F or higher is not an issue without a muff.

[Firemanshort]

When I drive to Maine for the Winter Romp - I always splurge on a custom made rad muff.



I go for a fairly large coverage area - as it is generally cold - really cold. I also keep it on for the highway trip back and forth as the high speeds and wind make it hard for the motor to stay warm.

[knac1234]

FWIW I used mine last year. We had some days where the temp dropped as low as -20F outside. Helped a bit.....especially the heater output! Mine came with the truck, and snapped onto the breakfast via snaps around the plastic grille.

Julian

[LR Max]

So a cardboard muff will work, but I've got the fancy one from RN and I tell ya what, it is worth it! Typically for warm up, I button it all up and the truck warms up very quickly. In ~40F weather, after about 45 minutes of driving I'll pull over and leave it about half open. Below freezing, I leave it buttoned up with no issues.

Above 50, I leave it unbuttoned so only about half of the grille is covered. This works well until the avg temp starts hovering in the mid-60s.

But really you will have to find what works for you. Sorry I can't be a better help.

[msggunny]

I used cardboard in my SIII and my D1. The only issue is getting it out when it warms up. The muff for the SIII that is sold here looks like it would much better than just a piece of cardboard and allows you to customize the air flow.

My D1, which i havent found a muff for, had to have 1/4 of the radiator blocked for me to get decent heat in the dead of winter here. The scanguage water temp rarely got above 150 until i put the cardboard in.

[Les Parker]

On the EFi vehicles, did you find that when a cardboard muff was used that the A/C fans kicked on, nullyfing the use of the cardboard?

[stomper]

I have a RoversNorth muff for my IIA, but it came with the truck, so I use it from late fall through spring. Being frugal, I would try a piece of cardboard first, and see if you like the results it provides. if it meets your expectations, then splurge on the nice canvas one, knowing that it will give you similar results, and won't be an expensive piece of kit that doesn't live up to your expectations.

[o2batsea]

On the EFi vehicles, did you find that when a cardboard muff was used that the A/C fans kicked on, nullyfing the use of the cardboard?

not if you unplug the little devils

[cedryck]

the Yankee way.

And of course those of us who demonstrate that Yankee heritage creative (spend less) make it with your own hands will put last saturday nights Pizza box behind the grill for the famous new england use one season throw it away radiator muff. Doesn't matter if it gets wet, snowy, grimy, or torn. It will only end up in the trash come spring. Recycle and reuse.
cheers.

[bpj911]

mine is already on

And has been for a month. If it's above 80 i open it half way. 2.25 diesel

runs approx 85-90 C all the time

[I Leak Oil]

And of course those of us who demonstrate that Yankee heritage creative (spend less) make it with your own hands will put last saturday nights Pizza box behind the grill for the famous new england use one season throw it away radiator muff. Doesn't matter if it gets wet, snowy, grimy, or torn. It will only end up in the trash come spring. Recycle and reuse.
cheers.

Salemrover has the best muff ever! A classic piece of NewEngland kit. Yes, that's a piece of toast from the famous Big G's! And if you get stuck in the woods you can eat it before needing to go all Donner party on your friends.