Leaves in the radiator? Why is it designed like this?

[bmm3k]

Fall has barely begun in Georgia and already have leaves back sitting on my radiator. Two obvious questions:

1. Every vehicle I have ever owned has a screen in front of the radiator. Why is this a massive hole in the bumper acting like a vacuum? Is it safe to cover it with a screen? I would think Ford would have done this if there wasn’t a reason.

2. Once you get junk in there (see pic) what’s the easiest way to get it out? It would be like a game of Operation to pull it out without breaking a louvre or damaging the radiator.

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[bmm3k]

 

[Scorpio3d]

Fall has barely begun in Georgia and already have leaves back sitting on my radiator. Two obvious questions:

1. Every vehicle I have ever owned has a screen in front of the radiator. Why is this a massive hole in the bumper acting like a vacuum? Is it safe to cover it with a screen? I would think Ford would have done this if there wasn’t a reason.

2. Once you get junk in there (see pic) what’s the easiest way to get it out? It would be like a game of Operation to pull it out without breaking a louvre or damaging the radiator.

The correct answer is probably so they could have the Mega Power Frunk!
My answer is to make things more difficult for us owners!

If you get some kids to clean out the leaves they probably could get their small hands in there without breaking the louvers!

 

[MTcowpoke]

Blowgun on your air compressor and/or a shop vac? Compressed air will get those leave swirling in there and may blow right back out the opening.

 

[mrau]

Maybe we need a "Reverse Radiator Fan" setting to keep it clean in there.

Fan could automatically come on in the reverse direction when you start driving backwards.

 

[Peddyr]

If I get them in mine, I'm trading it in. Completely unacceptable.

 

[blitzlinger]

One of the first things I did to my truck was to install a radiator grille. It made a huge difference keeping the leaves out with no discernable impact to cooling performance that I can see.

https://www.radiatorgrillstore.com/product-page/2022-2024-ford-lightning-ev-radiator-grilles

 

[Riverant]

Fall has barely begun in Georgia and already have leaves back sitting on my radiator. Two obvious questions:

1. Every vehicle I have ever owned has a screen in front of the radiator. Why is this a massive hole in the bumper acting like a vacuum? Is it safe to cover it with a screen? I would think Ford would have done this if there wasn’t a reason.

2. Once you get junk in there (see pic) what’s the easiest way to get it out? It would be like a game of Operation to pull it out without breaking a louvre or damaging the radiator.

I used BBQ tongs and then bought this on Amazon. https://a.co/d/1O4XhIp

 

[Zprime29]

There are some posts in the "What did you do to your Lightning" thread that cover putting on a mesh grill for the opening. Possible some threads specific to it as well. It's a mod I'd like to do at some point, I think it looks good and functional to boot.

 

[Lytning]

One of the first things I did to my truck was to install a radiator grille. It made a huge difference keeping the leaves out with no discernable impact to cooling performance that I can see.

https://www.radiatorgrillstore.com/product-page/2022-2024-ford-lightning-ev-radiator-grilles

Radiator Grill Store links to this installation video ...

 

[21st Century Truck]

The correct answer is probably so they could have the Mega Power Frunk!

This is exactly the reason. ...so that WE could have the excellent Mega Power Frunk.

BTW: there is a fairly cheap, well-made grille screen that is easy to install in the radiator opening, looks very OEM and keeps stuff from going into the radiator cavity. I have one and can testify... except that now I have to hunt for the aftermarket seller's URL to add here.

Oops - member Lytning just beat me to it.

 

[MaintGrl]

Well there is some thinking that the louvers are not open when driving, while I'm not sure of that, I would be apprehensive about using a blow gun to get them out. I would probably just use a crevice tool on my Shop Vac to remove. I also DID install a mesh grill over the opening . . if only for piece of mind. Took about 20 min and looks OEM

 

[Zaptor]

Dis be leaf...

-Zap

 

[davehu]

Radiator Grill Store links to this installation video ...

Just ordered one. a no brainer but I sure can't see why Ford engineers didn't think of this.

 

[jimfigler]

stuff has been getting stuck in radiators since day 1 of radiators in vehicles. but 2.5 years and 25000 miles of owning i have yet to pull anything out of there

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