I remember reading in this forum a year or so ago about someone using a stainless screen to keep bugs out of their A/C condenser.

I stopped at the glass shop the other day to inquire about stainless screening and was told, "Not this industry, try food service or medical".

I'm thinking that too-fine a mesh would be detrimental to air flow, and that I'd use some 1/8" machine cloth instead, but then realized that's likely too course.

Since I don't have a "bug problem" here in SoCal, I'm throwing this out to you Midwest guys that do.

Late this summer I'm going round-trip Los Angeles to Lexington, KY, and would like something to keep the front end from clogging.

What do y'all use?

Pop

 

might try a big truck parts house I had a factory one on one of my dumps think it qas about 1\8 but not sure where I got it also need to find one

 

Pop if it's only a temporary thing, how about just getting some screen door mesh, making some sort of frame that will fit behind the grill and drop it in for the trip?

 

I use the bug screen from Fia, it actually came free with the cold front when I bought it. It uses the 3M stick on snaps, so you don't have to drill holes in your grill to install the male ends. It really works nice. I would have to think you could get one from Fia fairly cheap, as I think I paid about 75.00 for the nice insulated cold winter front, and they included the bug screen. Sizewise, the screen is about the size of normal window screen. I actually ran a test last weekend with and without it on during a 600 mile round trip, and my overall temps did not alter one bit.

 

I put a big electric fan in front of the a/c condenser. Its like a bug shredder and it makes my a/c blow colder, my engine stay cooler and my egts don't climb quite as fast.

 

haven't used a pusher fan since my mercedes but is a good idea worked wonders on it ,never realized til it went bad

 

Highmark,

That's just what I was looking to hear, "no difference".

Kwik's idea about a screen frame is what I'll be doing today. 24" high by 30" wide looks to be the right size.

I'll start with standard metal window screening, run it a while, and see. We haven't had any REAL hot days yet.

Thanks all,

Pop

 

You might want to think twice about using screen door mesh, too small of holes (ever try and open/close a screen door in the wind?). I race dirt cars and we tried that to keep dirt/mud off the radiator, engine temps were not too happy. I'd say that the smallest hole size would be 1/8 inch or bigger.

 

roaky,

Thanks for your experienced insight.

That's why I thought I'd run the smaller mesh size during the hottest summer months and see if the cooling system will handle it. I can always change it before September 15th or so if it's too restrictive.

If I leave too large a mesh, however, I will end up with a clogged condenser anyway, and that's harder to wash out at night in the motel's shower. ;-)))

I'm not going to be getting into too much mud (I HOPE!!) on the Interstate system.

Pop

 

The only thing 1/8 will catch is giant bugs. go with the screen door screen. Plenty big for bugs. Will not clog up like mud would

 

Pops,

I made one for my truck last year at work and has done a really nice job on keeping all size of bugs out without any increase in temps. The size i made mine is 34" x 11" x 3/8" screen stock with black nylon screen.

If you give me the size you would what, I be glad to make you one and send it to you. Hope this helps.

 

Maevans,

That looks "The Cat's Meow"! Very nice, indeed!!

Thanks for the kind offer, too, but I was out today and dropped by the glass & screen shop. I had them make one up with aluminum screening, 24" high x 30" wide. It will slip down in front of the entire condenser, sit just on top of the power steering cooler, and be held at the top by tie-wraps. I want it to be easily removable so I can clean it each evening if necessary.

If I had an aftermarket tranny cooler, I would have done it the way you did, too.

I get it Friday, and I'll post a photo if anyone's interested.

Pop

 

you might want to think about metal to metal contact points where the screen will sit. Did not take long for my driver to wear through a couple of misrouted hoses on the company truck (500 mi) a cheap rubber hose split in half and shoved onto the screen edge perhaps?

solid mounts is the only way to go permnantly.

My $.02 your mileage will vary.

 

piotrsko,

I was thinking about using Scotch 90 and some old inner-tube material, but I think you've got the better idea using hose.

May glue that on, too.

Don't want solid mounts, as I want to remove nightly to clean it.

Pop

 

I used window screen, used sheet metal screws to attach it, peal when it gets clogged and toss it, replace it with new every couple of years..

I have seen trucks with radiators and coolers clogged so bad, the trucks and trans were overheating and had to be reversed blown to remove all the crud from the fins..Thats a tougher job then replacing the screen..