Cheapest mod I've ever made!

[DNS]

I've wedged a bit of corragated cardboard in front of my radiator!

Radiator is too big on the 1.8 in very cold weather, so thought I'd give this a try. Seems to work a treat, keeps the temperature up nicely, but not too high, even sitting in traffic.

Fuel economy is better too and the heating is much better!

[Graham]

Used to see that alot about 20yrs ago. But with modern engines you shouldnt have too, but the vec s do suffer from long warm up and keeping up the temp.

So prob a good idea.

[Big Dave]

I've wedged a bit of corragated cardboard in front of my radiator!

You'll find a piece of old lino will last longer.

An old trick used on the Astra-G (fitted below the bumper line) that was seriously overcooled as it was a case of one radiator fits all engines.

[DNS]

Nice one Big Dave, I'll get that a try

[Das]

I wouldn't recommend the cardboard, if you get stopped for any length of time it wont cool properly. If yours is taking an age to get hot id guess the thermostat is away. Since changing mine ive found its at the 85 degrees mark within 2 driven miles. Getting stuck on the M8 for 2.5 hours this morning saw the gauge rise regularly to just over the 90 degrees mark before dropping back to 85 as the thermostat opened and closed and the coolant cooled though the radiator, and that was in an outside temp of +0.5 degrees C.

[CLOMP]

last winter I did the same with my 1.8, the stat got stuck and I had no dosh, I used a piece of hard card kept in place with some rolled up rubber car mat,, it worked very well, if it got a bit hot just used to put heater on full blast, but I will say if your stat is ok you should not need to do this with the 1.8, now mine is sorted yesterday it was minus 4.5 when I went out, I do have to go up bank(steep) but temp guage was at 86degrees in two miles or so but had run the engine while de-iced the car..

[kenp]

i didnt use it on my 2.2... even when it was minus 24 there was no problem getting warm-!!

[bigmac]

There's warm to us Ken then there's your warm at -30 lol your an Eskimo

[Bigtee]

When the rain or snow melts and soggs the cardboard and it's mushed in your radiator core you won't be impressed.!"!

Better still like said above lino/floor vinyl or plastic.

Not sure about yours but this 1.9 120bhp takes a while to show on the gauge but the heaters are hot first, A nice idea by vauxhall to feed the cabin first before the thermostat.

[Exclusive BV]

I could do with being warmer in mine.

My stat needs replacing under warranty but it's getting the time to get it done

Dont fancy a fire risk to be honest