The Dispatch | Expert | Scudo Hub

Mixerfistit

Member

Registered: 2023-02-28

Posts: 56

Cold weather shield

Takes a while for the van to warm up this time of year, especially with an EGR that may or may not be connected.. So decided to try a poor man's cold weather shield for the next few months

Cable ties, thick cardboard and some bubble wrap.
Bubble wrap is just for very basic weather resistance.

Not sure how long it'll last when the rain comes but I'll keep an eye on it. With hindsight I think just shrinkwrapping the cardboard would've been better.

Also have a digital temperature readout. It's been up to motorway speeds with a few hills with temp at about 4° C and showed no sign of overheating so far (hasn't gone above 87°C with an 88°C Thermostat fitted).
I don't have an undertray fitted yet so probably lots of heat lost there, of course may need to adjust the coverage when fitted.

May be a waste of time, but I like an experiment.

AlvyLad

Member

Registered: 2021-06-11

Posts: 473

Re: Cold weather shield

Undertray... I can bet my a4se, it'll be forgotten to take off, when temps come back to human environment.
The rest of a shield should last long enough, as any moisture you are concern over coming from outside, will be drying from inside all the time, looks sensible.
Also wd40 does dry up in to gunky-gummy cover-texture, that's water repellent, might add longevity to your shield?

That or move somewhere like Tenerife or something, it's been Baltic over here too.

Mixerfistit

Member

Registered: 2023-02-28

Posts: 56

Re: Cold weather shield

Not a bad idea with water repellent. If I get an undertray I'd be keeping it on indefinitely (the price is putting me off though).
Am slightly wary of forgetting to take the shield off though - I don't want to have to rely on the fans to kock in as a Springtime alarm clock but I have tested them by unplugging the temp sender and they work but I'm not sure what temp they actually kick in.

Maybe your final suggestion is the best one.
¡F off to Spain!

Last edited by Mixerfistit (2023-12-07 23:50:10)

woodbine

Member

From: Bristol, UK

Registered: 2018-11-01

Posts: 267

Re: Cold weather shield

What under trays are available, Mixer? Don't recall these coming from factory with a tray.

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Fiat Scudo 2004 (54) 2.0 Jtd SX Dynamic Van

JohnDragonMan

Member

From: Derby, East Midlands, UK

Registered: 2020-06-02

Posts: 446

Website

Re: Cold weather shield

i have an under tray on mine, i got it from Ebay. it is just a flat sheet of plastic with no curves.. very easy to make yourself. all you need is the half turn screws and rectangle shaped socket/nut things they screw into that you put in the rectangle holes dotted around the sub frame to hold it in place

im due an oil change, when its off ill take a photo of it. maybe someone can make one using some thin aluminium or plastic from the photo.

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- JohnDragonMan
Notice: I have the tendency to void warranties, blow fuses, cause fires, and other fun stuff.
Words of wisdom: Internally rust proof the sills and subframe! both skins!!. There's always user serviceable parts inside. "Oh that shouldn't have happened".
My 2005 Dispatch Camper Project

Casper

Member

From: East Lothian

Registered: 2015-12-20

Posts: 2,173

Re: Cold weather shield

You sure the thermostat is opening? Take it out and see if that helps

Mixerfistit

Member

Registered: 2023-02-28

Posts: 56

Re: Cold weather shield

You sure the thermostat is opening? Take it out and see if that helps

Me? Yeah pretty sure the thermostat works fine. I have a digital readout through the OBD to my head unit. It gets to 88 then drops to 82 before climbing slowly to 87/88 again and holds although with the heater on it will hold around 84 on my normal journeys

Mixerfistit

Member

Registered: 2023-02-28

Posts: 56

Re: Cold weather shield

i have an under tray on mine......when its off ill take a photo of it. maybe someone can make one using some thin aluminium or plastic from the photo.

That could be useful. I'm begrudging needing to cough up £55 for the one on ebay lol