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.

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