2004 blocked grill

[Eventhorizon]

Anyone know why all but the top two rows of the grill are blocked from behind by thick black styrofoam?

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[W7hfg]

I’ve wondered that too. Why block airflow to the radiator??

 

[JohnS]

Doesn't sound right. Post a Pic and I will look at my '03 when I get home from work.

 

[JAT]

theyre all like that. Most of the air enters from below the license plate level. The styrofoam is part of the bumper system and the car wouldn’t look right with the grill only two rows.

 

[biddle]

Anyone know why all but the top two rows of the grill are blocked from behind by thick black styrofoam?

Perhaps to meet the 2.5 MPH bumper federal collision requirement.

 

[Eventhorizon]

Doesn't sound right. Post a Pic and I will look at my '03 when I get home from work.

If I took a pic. what will show up is a black background. You'll need to take a flashlight and look into the grill.

With a car that has overheating problems, why do something like that?!

I sent for a workshop manual to try to figure out if there is a reason. My plan is to drill holes in it or cut it out. But, not until I see the manual.

Perhaps to meet the 2.5 MPH bumper federal collision requirement.

Makes sense

 

[Blackbird McKnight]

Yes I saw that black foam for the first time a week ago. I said to myself " how does the engine breathe ". But I thought well it has electric fans. Just like the air scoop the grill is just for show .BUT I LIKE IT I LIKE IT I LOVE IT !

 

[Eventhorizon]

Waiting for my workshop manual to arrive so I can get a picture of what the structure actually looks like and where the airbag sensors are. If possible, I'm going to open up the grill so the engine can breath (hopefully, no one reading this is going to call the originality police 'cause they'd be wasting their time.)

 

[biddle]

I'm going to open up the grill so the engine can breath

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it." The cooling temperature on the car is fine the way it is assuming all components are working as intended. Any changes would likely have an unnecessary, negligible impact. If you use an OBDII reader and an app like Torque, you can view your coolant temperature and confirm.

 

[Eventhorizon]

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it." The cooling temperature on the car is fine the way it is assuming all components are working as intended. Any changes would likely have an unnecessary, negligible impact. If you use an OBDII reader and an app like Torque, you can view your coolant temperature and confirm.

Have an OBII Reader. Temp ranges from 215 to 238. Coolant boils in Res. Gauge at 3 o'clock. Engine not overheating, as such.

With so many people having cooling issues my opinion is that it's a faulty design. Not suggesting anyone do what I am going to do (ACTUALLY DON"T) but I'm going to try to bring temp. down and keep the F-15 from under my hood.

These birds run too hot. When coolant boils in the overflow container, it's too hot. These cars are prone to overheating due to leaks AND poor design where air gets trapped in the cooling system and is difficult to get out. The leaks are only a problem when the owner fails to realize it's leaking and the system is starved for water. Birds overheat when the system is full. That happens when air is trapped in the system.

 

[The Flash]

So you think it's a faulty design. I think the design is just fine. The car is 17 years old. I am sure some parts are worn out.
Does your car have over-heating problems?
all of the cooling over-heating problems that I have had have been from leaks, at 17 years old that will happen.
The radiator gets plenty of air thru it.

 

[biddle]

With so many people having cooling issues my opinion is that it's a faulty design.

I've run the forum for over 20 years since the cars were sold new. There's no faulty design with the cooling system I've seen reported. People also say the same thing about the COPS, but it's the valve cover gasket leaking. That happens eventually on all cars. People will change the spark plugs and coils and not fix the gasket leak, the problem returns and they blame the design.

It does have plastic parts that crack and wear, but obviously, a billion-dollar company does not create an engine that does not cool properly when it was new. This is not 1955. There is extensive testing done during product development. Obviously engineers with Ph.D.'s considered the fact that foam was there. If you remove it, there will likely be a negligible difference, if any.

 

[JAT]

Amen! Like I said before, look under the bottom of the bumper, that’s where it gets plenty of air! If you look under most modern cars, they’re all like that. I have two retrobirds and they stay cool just fine. Never an issue With that.

 

[biddle]

These birds run too hot. When coolant boils in the overflow container, it's too hot. These cars are prone to overheating due to leaks AND poor design where air gets trapped in the cooling system and is difficult to get out.

Actually YOUR BIRD runs hot. As you see @JAT said he has two with no issues. @Sand1piper recently posted having the EXACT same problem you have with bubbling in the reservoir and described in detail how he resolved it here- https://forums.fordthunderbirdforum...hermostat-housing-water-pumps.9778/post-73424

I hope you get yours running back like when it was new. If you can't get the air out of the system, take it somewhere and let them flush it and do it. I wouldn't drive the car with it bubbling in the reservoir like that.


Here is a video that may help as well. There isn't one for the Thunderbird, so this is as close as possible unless someone wants to make one.

 

[Jeffr]

Anyone know why all but the top two rows of the grill are blocked from behind by thick black styrofoam?

I had the front end of my tbird off over the weekend and the styrofoam is support behind the bumper. Even if it was removed it has steel crossmembers behind it that doesn't allow any extra air flow if remove. If the foam was removed you would see the steel supports that are the color of the car.

 

[Eventhorizon]

I had the front end of my tbird off over the weekend and the styrofoam is support behind the bumper. Even if it was removed it has steel crossmembers behind it that doesn't allow any extra air flow if remove. If the foam was removed you would see the steel supports that are the color of the car.

There goes that idea 🙂

 

[The Flash]

There goes that idea 🙂

Why? do you have an overheating problem?
If you where at a very high altitude and had over heating problems what was the altitude?

 

[Eventhorizon]

Why? do you have an overheating problem?
If you where at a very high altitude and had over heating problems what was the altitude?

Had. My Bird runs at a high temp and I want to figure out how to bring that down. If there is a steel support member behind the styrofoam bumper, it will be difficult.

 

[biddle]

Closing thread. To summarize, removing the foam will be futile as there us a metal support behind it.

Getting the air out of your system is not as easy of a task as many automobiles. Have a reputable mechanic do it or follow tips as noted in this thread-

2002 2003 2004 2005 Ford Thunderbird Thermostat Housing Water Pumps

If you are having trouble with your cooling system on your 2002, 2003, 2004 or 2005 Ford Thunderbird here are some useful parts used in the repairs. Note, a 2002 Thunderbird has a different thermostat housing than 2003-2004-2005. The water pump & thermostat are the same. You can upgrade the...

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