How much do you block your grille?

Bob64 · 10-08-2007, 12:41 AM

Hey all,
For those of you that are blocking your grille, how much do you block (all of the top and 3/5 of the bottom) what about during the summer? and when do start to put on blocks for fall/winter/spring?

Neicy · 10-08-2007, 05:56 AM

I have read that when temperatures remain under 50 degrees all day there is little danger of overheating with the grill blocked. I blocked my upper grill about 2 weeks ago, and will be working my way downward very soon. If you do a search for 'blocked grill' you will find tons of information. It is important to keep the inverter cool. The inverter occupies the lower third of the radiator, so the lower part of the grill should be blocked last. I just got a Scangauge II and can monitor coolant temps, so I feel more comfortable with blocking more of the grill now. Please read the posts from some of the more experienced posters though, as they are extremely helpful.

**efusco** · 10-08-2007, 09:24 AM

You could probably block the top year around without danger...I guess if you were heavily stressing the ICE with temps exceeding 100F there might be some small risk, but even then I doubt that.

I blocked my entire upper grill about a month ago. I blocked my lower grill last week, but removed it a few days ago when temps pushed over 90 for a stretch...not b/c the inverter was hot, but b/c there was so little air flow into the engine compartment that the air coming into the cabin through the vents was hotter than the outside air temp!!!

Now that temps are settling down into the 70s for highs I'll probably put the lower block back on tonight or tomorrow.

**TonyPSchaefer** · 10-08-2007, 06:40 PM

I pretty much agree with Evan there.

I have had my upper two blocked all summer long.

As for the bottom five:
- I'm thinking of keeping 1 and 5 blocked year 'round because they are thinner and a pain to put in / take out.
- 2, 3, and 4 come and go depending on the temp. When above 65ºF, I will block 2 and 4, leaving 3 open. When above ~85ºF, I will take another one out. Below 65ºF, I block them all.

NOTE: I glide and stealth a lot and do not stress the engine. I do not drive on the interstate and my top speed most days is 45 MPH.

**Tideland Prius** · 10-08-2007, 08:39 PM

I have the top grille blocked although I lost one of my foam pieces in the torrent rain yesterday down I-5. I gotta cut another piece out and stick it in.

Bob64 · 10-10-2007, 06:49 PM

Heh... Looks like getting a SG II (later on) is going to be a must for me...

**Tideland Prius** · 10-10-2007, 10:14 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bob64 @ Oct 10 2007, 03:49 PM) [snapback]523882[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Heh... Looks like getting a SG II (later on) is going to be a must for me...
[/b]

lol. For a moment there, I thought you meant StarCraft

Bob64 · 10-10-2007, 10:34 PM

A starcraft would also be handy for inter-galactic travel... hopefully it is fusion powered

Then again a StarGate would also be very handy

Frank Hudon · 10-10-2007, 10:39 PM

both have been blocked for weeks now. After watching the ICE and inverter temps for a couple of years now I still stand by by opinon of block the lower first and the upper last. Watch your temps with both blocked off then pull the upper and watch how the ICE never gets warm (87C)in normal driving around town. In 50F weather or lower block both if you have a way of monitoring the temps.

Bob64 · 10-13-2007, 02:30 AM

That sorta contradicts what other people has said in other blocking threads... how blocking the top has no effect on temps...

Question: would you consider blocking 75% of the front hood, only leaving a huge block of space on the inverter side, be better then leaving a row open all along the bottom grille?

10-08-2007, 05:56 AM	#2
Neicy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wakefield, MA. Posts: 804 My Car: 2009 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 5 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 6	I have read that when temperatures remain under 50 degrees all day there is little danger of overheating with the grill blocked. I blocked my upper grill about 2 weeks ago, and will be working my way downward very soon. If you do a search for 'blocked grill' you will find tons of information. It is important to keep the inverter cool. The inverter occupies the lower third of the radiator, so the lower part of the grill should be blocked last. I just got a Scangauge II and can monitor coolant temps, so I feel more comfortable with blocking more of the grill now. Please read the posts from some of the more experienced posters though, as they are extremely helpful. __________________ Neicy 2009 Silver Pine Mica Pkg #2 2 Scangauge IIs v 3.15 with X-gauge

10-08-2007, 09:24 AM	#3
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 17,250 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 50 Thanked 261 Times in 157 Posts Friends: 37	You could probably block the top year around without danger...I guess if you were heavily stressing the ICE with temps exceeding 100F there might be some small risk, but even then I doubt that. I blocked my entire upper grill about a month ago. I blocked my lower grill last week, but removed it a few days ago when temps pushed over 90 for a stretch...not b/c the inverter was hot, but b/c there was so little air flow into the engine compartment that the air coming into the cabin through the vents was hotter than the outside air temp!!! Now that temps are settling down into the 70s for highs I'll probably put the lower block back on tonight or tomorrow. __________________ Evan E. Fusco, MD "It's a damn poor mind that can only think of one way to spell a word." -Andrew Jackson

10-08-2007, 06:40 PM	#4
TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Far-North Chicagoland Posts: 10,512 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 39 Thanked 168 Times in 109 Posts Friends: 23	I pretty much agree with Evan there. I have had my upper two blocked all summer long. As for the bottom five: - I'm thinking of keeping 1 and 5 blocked year 'round because they are thinner and a pain to put in / take out. - 2, 3, and 4 come and go depending on the temp. When above 65ºF, I will block 2 and 4, leaving 3 open. When above ~85ºF, I will take another one out. Below 65ºF, I block them all. NOTE: I glide and stealth a lot and do not stress the engine. I do not drive on the interstate and my top speed most days is 45 MPH. __________________ Proud father of Priapus: the '04 Tideland BC9 with an OEM EV button and sense of self-righteousness Current Mileage Chicago Prius Group Website Chicago Hybrid Group on FaceBook Find me on faceBook

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10-08-2007, 12:41 AM	#1
Bob64 Sapphire of the Blue Sky Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,135 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: N/A Package: #2 Thanks: 3 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts Friends: 0	Hey all, For those of you that are blocking your grille, how much do you block (all of the top and 3/5 of the bottom) what about during the summer? and when do start to put on blocks for fall/winter/spring?

10-08-2007, 08:39 PM	#5
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 19,633 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 229 Thanked 346 Times in 245 Posts Friends: 23	I have the top grille blocked although I lost one of my foam pieces in the torrent rain yesterday down I-5. I gotta cut another piece out and stick it in.

10-10-2007, 06:49 PM	#6
Bob64 Sapphire of the Blue Sky Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,135 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: N/A Package: #2 Thanks: 3 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts Friends: 0	Heh... Looks like getting a SG II (later on) is going to be a must for me...

10-10-2007, 10:34 PM	#8
Bob64 Sapphire of the Blue Sky Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,135 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: N/A Package: #2 Thanks: 3 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts Friends: 0	A starcraft would also be handy for inter-galactic travel... hopefully it is fusion powered Then again a StarGate would also be very handy

10-10-2007, 10:39 PM	#9
Frank Hudon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 4,144 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	both have been blocked for weeks now. After watching the ICE and inverter temps for a couple of years now I still stand by by opinon of block the lower first and the upper last. Watch your temps with both blocked off then pull the upper and watch how the ICE never gets warm (87C)in normal driving around town. In 50F weather or lower block both if you have a way of monitoring the temps.

10-13-2007, 02:30 AM	#10
Bob64 Sapphire of the Blue Sky Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,135 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: N/A Package: #2 Thanks: 3 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts Friends: 0	That sorta contradicts what other people has said in other blocking threads... how blocking the top has no effect on temps... Question: would you consider blocking 75% of the front hood, only leaving a huge block of space on the inverter side, be better then leaving a row open all along the bottom grille?