Use of door type screenng to protect raidiiator n air inflow ?

Any reason common door screening would not be good for radiator and
aperture protection in 4runner ?

The 2006 4runner has apertures for air inflow at the right and left
side of the rear edges of the engine area, basically under where the
windshield wipers are. When I check the oil at fill ups, I find the
air intakes to be covered with tree droppings and other tree stuff.

Of course the radiator and compressor are at the front of the car.

It would seem a no brainier that simple inexpensive screening
materials could be discarded and replaced after having protected the
parts and opening from contamination.
If the screen holes were too large, it would defeat the purpose of the
screening.

However, would putting common screen materials over the radiator and
compressor and air inflow spots cause a disturbance in the air flow
characteristic which would be undesirable to the above components and
openings ?

You probably do not want to do this. Even when clean, the screen would
reduce airflow by a sizable percentage. When it gets clogged with bugs,
etc, it would be even worse.

Lee Richardson

"Reg" <Reginald222@msn.com> wrote in message
news:bpd3k2dov93jb1rnajpft74egveli0ri1q@4ax.com...[color=blue]
> Any reason common door screening would not be good for radiator and
> aperture protection in 4runner ?
>
> The 2006 4runner has apertures for air inflow at the right and left
> side of the rear edges of the engine area, basically under where the
> windshield wipers are. When I check the oil at fill ups, I find the
> air intakes to be covered with tree droppings and other tree stuff.
>
> Of course the radiator and compressor are at the front of the car.
>
> It would seem a no brainier that simple inexpensive screening
> materials could be discarded and replaced after having protected the
> parts and opening from contamination.
> If the screen holes were too large, it would defeat the purpose of the
> screening.
>
> However, would putting common screen materials over the radiator and
> compressor and air inflow spots cause a disturbance in the air flow
> characteristic which would be undesirable to the above components and
> openings ?
>[/color]

"Lee Richardson" <mechtech@sigecom.net> wrote in message
news:46ydnVxJM4oBkt_YnZ2dnUVZ_uWdnZ2d@sigecom.net...[color=blue]
> You probably do not want to do this. Even when clean, the screen would
> reduce airflow by a sizable percentage. When it gets clogged with bugs,
> etc, it would be even worse.
>
> Lee Richardson
>
> "Reg" <Reginald222@msn.com> wrote in message
> news:bpd3k2dov93jb1rnajpft74egveli0ri1q@4ax.com...[color=green]
>> Any reason common door screening would not be good for radiator and
>> aperture protection in 4runner ?
>>
>> The 2006 4runner has apertures for air inflow at the right and left
>> side of the rear edges of the engine area, basically under where the
>> windshield wipers are. When I check the oil at fill ups, I find the
>> air intakes to be covered with tree droppings and other tree stuff.
>>
>> Of course the radiator and compressor are at the front of the car.
>>
>> It would seem a no brainier that simple inexpensive screening
>> materials could be discarded and replaced after having protected the
>> parts and opening from contamination.
>> If the screen holes were too large, it would defeat the purpose of the
>> screening.
>>
>> However, would putting common screen materials over the radiator and
>> compressor and air inflow spots cause a disturbance in the air flow
>> characteristic which would be undesirable to the above components and
>> openings ?[/color][/color]

If I forage around in my dim distant memory, I seem to recall that many MANY
years ago, they used to do just that, and sold squares of mesh material with
grommets in the four corners so that you could tie them onto the fronts of
radiators (even when they were exposed as part of the front of the car).
But I agree with the other poster that mesh screen, while keeping the bugs
and butterflies at bay, would likely cut down on the air flow thru the
radiator.

On Fri, 27 Oct 2006 14:29:08 -0700, "mack" <mackerel@dslextreme.com>
wrote:
[color=blue]
>
>"Lee Richardson" <mechtech@sigecom.net> wrote in message
>news:46ydnVxJM4oBkt_YnZ2dnUVZ_uWdnZ2d@sigecom.net...[color=green]
>> You probably do not want to do this. Even when clean, the screen would
>> reduce airflow by a sizable percentage. When it gets clogged with bugs,
>> etc, it would be even worse.
>>
>> Lee Richardson
>>
>> "Reg" <Reginald222@msn.com> wrote in message
>> news:bpd3k2dov93jb1rnajpft74egveli0ri1q@4ax.com...[color=darkred]
>>> Any reason common door screening would not be good for radiator and
>>> aperture protection in 4runner ?
>>>
>>> The 2006 4runner has apertures for air inflow at the right and left
>>> side of the rear edges of the engine area, basically under where the
>>> windshield wipers are. When I check the oil at fill ups, I find the
>>> air intakes to be covered with tree droppings and other tree stuff.
>>>
>>> Of course the radiator and compressor are at the front of the car.
>>>
>>> It would seem a no brainier that simple inexpensive screening
>>> materials could be discarded and replaced after having protected the
>>> parts and opening from contamination.
>>> If the screen holes were too large, it would defeat the purpose of the
>>> screening.
>>>
>>> However, would putting common screen materials over the radiator and
>>> compressor and air inflow spots cause a disturbance in the air flow
>>> characteristic which would be undesirable to the above components and
>>> openings ?[/color][/color]
>
>If I forage around in my dim distant memory, I seem to recall that many MANY
>years ago, they used to do just that, and sold squares of mesh material with
>grommets in the four corners so that you could tie them onto the fronts of
>radiators (even when they were exposed as part of the front of the car).
>But I agree with the other poster that mesh screen, while keeping the bugs
>and butterflies at bay, would likely cut down on the air flow thru the
>radiator.[/color]

thanks, it would seem desirable to get some more specific and certain
realities on this. I remember in a Volvo group that it was
particularly recommended to use the screening. Your feedback is
appreciated.

And that also applies to the air inflow apertures in the engine area
under the windshield wipers.

Ray O ?

On Fri, 27 Oct 2006 07:49:30 GMT, Reg <Reginald222@msn.com> wrote:
[color=blue]
>Any reason common door screening would not be good for radiator and
>aperture protection in 4runner ?[/color]

I can't see why some fiberglass window screening would be a problem,
as long as you clean off the bugs and debris every so often.

The only way to tell for sure is to do it, and keep an eye on the
temperature gauge for a while - you should notice if it runs hotter or
warms up faster than normal.

If you let it get clogged up, you bet there will be problems...

Truckers not only run a screen in front of the radiator, they
partially block it off in the winter - the road draft will overcool
the engine in the winter, even with the coolant thermostat closed.

--<< Bruce >>--

On Sat, 28 Oct 2006 00:40:21 GMT, Bruce L. Bergman
<blPYTHONbergman@earthlink.invalid> wrote:
[color=blue]
>On Fri, 27 Oct 2006 07:49:30 GMT, Reg <Reginald222@msn.com> wrote:
>[color=green]
>>Any reason common door screening would not be good for radiator and
>>aperture protection in 4runner ?[/color]
>
> I can't see why some fiberglass window screening would be a problem,
>as long as you clean off the bugs and debris every so often.
>
> The only way to tell for sure is to do it, and keep an eye on the
>temperature gauge for a while - you should notice if it runs hotter or
>warms up faster than normal.
>
> If you let it get clogged up, you bet there will be problems...
>
> Truckers not only run a screen in front of the radiator, they
>partially block it off in the winter - the road draft will overcool
>the engine in the winter, even with the coolant thermostat closed.
>
> --<< Bruce >>--[/color]

I would suggest you take a piece of screen outside when the wind is
blowing pretty hard and feel the effect of the screen.

It really impedes the wind!


--

Scott in Florida

"Reg" <Reginald222@msn.com> wrote in message
news:ph85k2p0k2lo1bnmbgil446lu74lgu8qnj@4ax.com...[color=blue]
> On Fri, 27 Oct 2006 14:29:08 -0700, "mack" <mackerel@dslextreme.com>
> wrote:
>[color=green]
>>
>>"Lee Richardson" <mechtech@sigecom.net> wrote in message
>>news:46ydnVxJM4oBkt_YnZ2dnUVZ_uWdnZ2d@sigecom.net...[color=darkred]
>>> You probably do not want to do this. Even when clean, the screen would
>>> reduce airflow by a sizable percentage. When it gets clogged with bugs,
>>> etc, it would be even worse.
>>>
>>> Lee Richardson
>>>
>>> "Reg" <Reginald222@msn.com> wrote in message
>>> news:bpd3k2dov93jb1rnajpft74egveli0ri1q@4ax.com...
>>>> Any reason common door screening would not be good for radiator and
>>>> aperture protection in 4runner ?
>>>>
>>>> The 2006 4runner has apertures for air inflow at the right and left
>>>> side of the rear edges of the engine area, basically under where the
>>>> windshield wipers are. When I check the oil at fill ups, I find the
>>>> air intakes to be covered with tree droppings and other tree stuff.
>>>>
>>>> Of course the radiator and compressor are at the front of the car.
>>>>
>>>> It would seem a no brainier that simple inexpensive screening
>>>> materials could be discarded and replaced after having protected the
>>>> parts and opening from contamination.
>>>> If the screen holes were too large, it would defeat the purpose of the
>>>> screening.
>>>>
>>>> However, would putting common screen materials over the radiator and
>>>> compressor and air inflow spots cause a disturbance in the air flow
>>>> characteristic which would be undesirable to the above components and
>>>> openings ?[/color]
>>
>>If I forage around in my dim distant memory, I seem to recall that many
>>MANY
>>years ago, they used to do just that, and sold squares of mesh material
>>with
>>grommets in the four corners so that you could tie them onto the fronts of
>>radiators (even when they were exposed as part of the front of the car).
>>But I agree with the other poster that mesh screen, while keeping the bugs
>>and butterflies at bay, would likely cut down on the air flow thru the
>>radiator.[/color]
>
> thanks, it would seem desirable to get some more specific and certain
> realities on this. I remember in a Volvo group that it was
> particularly recommended to use the screening. Your feedback is
> appreciated.
>
> And that also applies to the air inflow apertures in the engine area
> under the windshield wipers.
>
> Ray O ?
>[/color]

Bruce's post is right on (as usual). The only thing I would add from my
vast experience re-screening doors (thanks to our dog, I can re-screen with
fiberglass in under 5 minutes, about 10 minutes with a metal screen) would
be to stick to fiberglass if possible, because a metal screen might scratch
the paint. Even if the OP skips the screen in front of the radiator, it
might be useful over the fresh air intakes.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

On Sat, 28 Oct 2006 01:08:16 GMT, Scott in Florida
<askifyouwant@mindspring.net> wrote:
[color=blue]
>I would suggest you take a piece of screen outside when the wind is
>blowing pretty hard and feel the effect of the screen.
>
>It really impedes the wind![/color]

And your point is...? ;-)

If I was driving through a 'high bug population' agricultural area
like the California Central Valley or Florida with the "Love Bugs".
I'd rather have the screen out there catching the flying beasties,
even if it does cut down the airflow a bit.

There is enough grille square footage on all common cars to allow
sufficient air through - if that screen causes heating problems the
cooling system was already operating on the ragged edge of failure.

That screen can be hosed off easily, or taken off in a pinch. Much
better than trying to clean the baked on splattered bug remains from
between the fins of the radiator and the AC Condenser Coil.

Been there, done that, not fun.

--<< Bruce >>--

On Sat, 28 Oct 2006 06:16:16 GMT, Bruce L. Bergman
<blPYTHONbergman@earthlink.invalid> wrote:
[color=blue]
>On Sat, 28 Oct 2006 01:08:16 GMT, Scott in Florida
><askifyouwant@mindspring.net> wrote:
>[color=green]
>>I would suggest you take a piece of screen outside when the wind is
>>blowing pretty hard and feel the effect of the screen.
>>
>>It really impedes the wind![/color]
>
> And your point is...? ;-)
>
> If I was driving through a 'high bug population' agricultural area
>like the California Central Valley or Florida with the "Love Bugs".
>I'd rather have the screen out there catching the flying beasties,
>even if it does cut down the airflow a bit.
>
> There is enough grille square footage on all common cars to allow
>sufficient air through - if that screen causes heating problems the
>cooling system was already operating on the ragged edge of failure.
>
> That screen can be hosed off easily, or taken off in a pinch. Much
>better than trying to clean the baked on splattered bug remains from
>between the fins of the radiator and the AC Condenser Coil.
>
> Been there, done that, not fun.
>
> --<< Bruce >>--[/color]

I (the OP) came at this from having an older, non Toyota, in which the
air conditioning was a major problem. Suffering though a super hot
summer, I did a lot of research work. I kept coming across folks who
had cleaned off /out their compressor fins of bugs and debris and had
revived their own air conditioning.
Simple screening materials was what they all regretted not using.
Seems the stuff on the radiator and compressors was hard to get off
after having baked on.
Now I have a new 4 runner, which in comparison to the previous non
computerized car is something from NASA. I love the car, but would not
want to mess up any of the well balanced functions, none of which I
had had computerized previously, such as oxygen intake ratio, etc.
From Bruce and Ray it appears that the screening would not make a big
problem with air flow.
Toyota, in the apparent 4th generation and 4 year of production of the
2006 4runner, got a lot right with this car. I plan to do all I can
to protect and preserve the car. I am surprised that a replaceable
screening system is not standard on all cars, or at least that it is
one of those references which one would see often in written materials
or in the chat of car lovers, etc.

At this point I will have to take a look at how best to attach the
screening. It would probably be best attached - whether metal or
fiberglass - with wire. (not tape)
Fiberglass might melt on a hot surface, so would have to be offset
somehow ?

"Reg" <Reginald222@msn.com> wrote in message
news:ju26k2hl5o9v3u9c8n9hcds91gvpe93sns@4ax.com...[color=blue]
> On Sat, 28 Oct 2006 06:16:16 GMT, Bruce L. Bergman
> <blPYTHONbergman@earthlink.invalid> wrote:
>[color=green]
>>On Sat, 28 Oct 2006 01:08:16 GMT, Scott in Florida
>><askifyouwant@mindspring.net> wrote:
>>[color=darkred]
>>>I would suggest you take a piece of screen outside when the wind is
>>>blowing pretty hard and feel the effect of the screen.
>>>
>>>It really impedes the wind![/color]
>>
>> And your point is...? ;-)
>>
>> If I was driving through a 'high bug population' agricultural area
>>like the California Central Valley or Florida with the "Love Bugs".
>>I'd rather have the screen out there catching the flying beasties,
>>even if it does cut down the airflow a bit.
>>
>> There is enough grille square footage on all common cars to allow
>>sufficient air through - if that screen causes heating problems the
>>cooling system was already operating on the ragged edge of failure.
>>
>> That screen can be hosed off easily, or taken off in a pinch. Much
>>better than trying to clean the baked on splattered bug remains from
>>between the fins of the radiator and the AC Condenser Coil.
>>
>> Been there, done that, not fun.
>>
>> --<< Bruce >>--[/color]
>
> I (the OP) came at this from having an older, non Toyota, in which the
> air conditioning was a major problem. Suffering though a super hot
> summer, I did a lot of research work. I kept coming across folks who
> had cleaned off /out their compressor fins of bugs and debris and had
> revived their own air conditioning.
> Simple screening materials was what they all regretted not using.
> Seems the stuff on the radiator and compressors was hard to get off
> after having baked on.
> Now I have a new 4 runner, which in comparison to the previous non
> computerized car is something from NASA. I love the car, but would not
> want to mess up any of the well balanced functions, none of which I
> had had computerized previously, such as oxygen intake ratio, etc.
> From Bruce and Ray it appears that the screening would not make a big
> problem with air flow.
> Toyota, in the apparent 4th generation and 4 year of production of the
> 2006 4runner, got a lot right with this car. I plan to do all I can
> to protect and preserve the car. I am surprised that a replaceable
> screening system is not standard on all cars, or at least that it is
> one of those references which one would see often in written materials
> or in the chat of car lovers, etc.
>
> At this point I will have to take a look at how best to attach the
> screening. It would probably be best attached - whether metal or
> fiberglass - with wire. (not tape)
> Fiberglass might melt on a hot surface, so would have to be offset
> somehow ?
>[/color]
Another consideration in using fiberglass screening instead of metal screen
fabric is that the fiberglass is usually darker and may be less visible from
outside the grille than the metal fabric, which is silver. If you want
something that is relatively easy to remove for cleaning, make a wooden
frame out of 1/2" x 1" board. You can cut a groove in the board so that you
can use a rubber spline to hold the screen like a regular window, or you can
staple the screen to the board, and in either case, attach another board
over the spline or staples for a little additional security. You can paint
the board black to disguise it a little, drill holes in the frame, and use
plastic zip-ties to hold the frame in place. The plastic zip ties are less
likely to scratch paint and will not rust. To clean the screen, just snip
the ties and replace them or get the re-useable kind.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

On Sat, 28 Oct 2006 06:16:16 GMT, Bruce L. Bergman
<blPYTHONbergman@earthlink.invalid> wrote:
[color=blue]
>On Sat, 28 Oct 2006 01:08:16 GMT, Scott in Florida
><askifyouwant@mindspring.net> wrote:
>[color=green]
>>I would suggest you take a piece of screen outside when the wind is
>>blowing pretty hard and feel the effect of the screen.
>>
>>It really impedes the wind![/color]
>
> And your point is...? ;-)
>
> If I was driving through a 'high bug population' agricultural area
>like the California Central Valley or Florida with the "Love Bugs".
>I'd rather have the screen out there catching the flying beasties,
>even if it does cut down the airflow a bit.
>
> There is enough grille square footage on all common cars to allow
>sufficient air through - if that screen causes heating problems the
>cooling system was already operating on the ragged edge of failure.
>
> That screen can be hosed off easily, or taken off in a pinch. Much
>better than trying to clean the baked on splattered bug remains from
>between the fins of the radiator and the AC Condenser Coil.
>
> Been there, done that, not fun.
>
> --<< Bruce >>--[/color]

I live in 'love bug' heaven or hell depending on your view of the
thangs...

My point is...

Putting screen up in the airstream will impede quite a bit of air
flow.

I just use a hose to get rid of the love bugs.

Matter of fact for whatever reason, the love bugs don't seem to make
it thru to the radiator. They DO, however, kill themselves on the
painted surfaces 'in the wind'.


--

Scott in Florida

"Scott in Florida" <askifyouwant@mindspring.net> wrote in message news:api7k2lbggtt6s4f08ejcru3jmufoojgo0@4ax.com...[color=blue]
> On Sat, 28 Oct 2006 06:16:16 GMT, Bruce L. Bergman
> <blPYTHONbergman@earthlink.invalid> wrote:
>[color=green]
>>On Sat, 28 Oct 2006 01:08:16 GMT, Scott in Florida
>><askifyouwant@mindspring.net> wrote:
>>[color=darkred]
>>>I would suggest you take a piece of screen outside when the wind is
>>>blowing pretty hard and feel the effect of the screen.
>>>
>>>It really impedes the wind![/color]
>>
>> And your point is...? ;-)
>>
>> If I was driving through a 'high bug population' agricultural area
>>like the California Central Valley or Florida with the "Love Bugs".
>>I'd rather have the screen out there catching the flying beasties,
>>even if it does cut down the airflow a bit.
>>
>> There is enough grille square footage on all common cars to allow
>>sufficient air through - if that screen causes heating problems the
>>cooling system was already operating on the ragged edge of failure.
>>
>> That screen can be hosed off easily, or taken off in a pinch. Much
>>better than trying to clean the baked on splattered bug remains from
>>between the fins of the radiator and the AC Condenser Coil.
>>
>> Been there, done that, not fun.
>>
>> --<< Bruce >>--[/color]
>
> I live in 'love bug' heaven or hell depending on your view of the
> thangs...
>
> My point is...
>
> Putting screen up in the airstream will impede quite a bit of air
> flow.
>
> I just use a hose to get rid of the love bugs.
>
> Matter of fact for whatever reason, the love bugs don't seem to make
> it thru to the radiator. They DO, however, kill themselves on the
> painted surfaces 'in the wind'.
>
>[/color]
guess hardware cloth could be an option and it stop small rocks to I bet.
1/4" and 1/8" galvanized mesh maybe.