Mesh to Protect Radiator

[bunglist]

I own a 1997 Chim and am wondering how to fix some mesh in front of the Radiator to stop stones puncturing it.

I use my car everyday and am getting fed up with having to get the radiator recored, as I dont like the sound of Rad weld.

Anyone got any ideas on how to do it?????

I know there are kits for the old style front end but I dont a car with that style, or has someone started making a kit????

[Nuggs]

IIRC M@H did this some time ago. A search of the Chim Forum for the last couple of years (search under mesh/grille) should give yuou what you need...

[blitzracing]

Go careful with any mesh, it greatly reduces your air flow through the rad.

[GreenV8S]

Do you tend to drive on unusually stony roads? I hardly get any stone damage on the matrix, and certainly none bad enough to cause a leak. If you're hitting stones that often, what state is the front edge of your bonnet in?

[bunglist]

GreenV8S said:

Do you tend to drive on unusually stony roads? I hardly get any stone damage on the matrix, and certainly none bad enough to cause a leak. If you're hitting stones that often, what state is the front edge of your bonnet in?

One Big stone smash and lots of chips, really needs a re-spray

[bunglist]

GreenV8S said:

Do you tend to drive on unusually stony roads? I hardly get any stone damage on the matrix, and certainly none bad enough to cause a leak. If you're hitting stones that often, what state is the front edge of your bonnet in?

Also the council keep on putting that cheeap road repair down everywhere, where they tip some tar down and chuck some lose stones over it and then expect everyone driving on it to roll the stones into the tar.

They just did this outside my house and the front of my car got peppered and I suspect that is how the radiator has got punctured.

[rfisher]

I put galvanised steel mesh over the front on the radiator in my 350i, Chim and now Tamora. Just stuff it down the front.

You can buy it at garden centres.

No problems with overheating in any of them.

No stone holes in any rads either.

[GreenV8S]

If you really do have a problem, I guess you could fit a recessed mesh. If it was painted black and some way back from the opening I don't think anyone would notice it. Make sure you don't put it right back against the matrix, you need at least a half inch gap, make sure it is no more than 20% or so solid, and of course it has to be fine enough to stop the stones you're getting (1/4" or so I would guess?).

[icb]

I have had mesh fitted to the Tamora, £20 from toys4cars.

[steve-v8s]

My 92 V8s had one, about 1cm squares painted black.