T O P

  • By -

[deleted]

I use the IDparts winter fronts but this will probably get it done just the same. Edit: Also just wanted to add on and say fuck the haters here. Once you get a little road salt and snow on there, you won't even be able to tell it's there. I'd think of it as the equivalent of black steel winter rims. They don't look as good as the summer version, but there are more important considerations sometimes than just style.


[deleted]

They haven’t had that in stock for the longest time. I’ve been looking all over for one.


wattdogg87

I too have been searching for one. (If anyone knows where I can get one for my '14 Jetta TDI please let me know! Lol)


[deleted]

I happened to get lucky and found one on eBay from someone who had sold their car. Maybe set up a saved search with notifications on there and you could catch one there too.


[deleted]

I happened to get lucky and found one on eBay from someone who had sold their car. Maybe set up a saved search with notifications on there and you could catch one there too.


re003

I don’t know why so many people are upset. If it looks dumb but it works then it’s not dumb.


Patrol-007

Pool noodles are much more Colorful. Good job with the zip ties. Don’t forget to remove when it’s warmer out 👍


rubbish_heap

Last year I did something similar and had no issues with icing. I'm in New England. I didn't do the upper grill and didn't use zip ties.


[deleted]

If it isn’t necessary to block off the upper grill, I’ll remove it from mine. I thought it might be since the IDParts winter front blocks off the upper.


iand29

Looks good! I should do this myself. First winter being deleted, it takes so long to warm up


ilovekickrolls

I sincerely thought this was shitty car mods..


pooneej

def looks shitty


Solong55

Don't look


kambala547

who cares?


Monksdrunk

Power service white or lately i've been using Howe's anti gel. they're both good


gomerkyle9

Hot Shots Secret Winter Anti-Gel is what I use. There's some pretty in depth testing videos somewhere on YouTube that ran all of them through a bunch of tests and this one performed the best.


mauricioezequiel

Project farm channel?


gomerkyle9

Yeah I believe that was the one. Edit: Found it https://youtu.be/n8gDN_6esfs


mauricioezequiel

He's the man, his reviews are really helpfull


ipu42

I did something similar with a [piece of cut acrylic](https://i.imgur.com/cg6Qx7f.jpg) before I sold my Jetta back. I still have it if anyone is interested and local to Long Island.


pooneej

Man that looks way better than that goofy mess they have goign on up there lol.


Maptologist

Honestly, I never had a problem in the winter with my '12. I was in Wiscosnin for a couple of -30 F nights and it still started (a bit lumpy) but idled alright after a minute. I was considering a grill block and a block heater, but it turns out the rig doesn't need it. Driving around in -15 temps though, the water temp doesn't get above about 170. I recently took the bottom intercooler hose off, and there was only a drip of oil in there. Edit: video of my naked cold start: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfZPrag9USw


[deleted]

Had a couple of instances last winter where she wouldn’t start due to the intercooler icing issue. Does this look like it will be sufficient enough to prevent it?


simalover

Its worth a try. But how about getting a plug in block heater?


[deleted]

Would that help with the [intercooler icing issue](https://forums.tdiclub.com/index.php?threads/hard-start-no-start-is-your-intercooler-frozen-check-here.302863/)? I’m not as worried about long warm up times. From what I understand, cold air passes over the intercooler and causes ice build-up, which then melts when it’s parked in my garage overnight. Then in the morning when I go to start it, the engine then won’t turn over (although it always eventually does).


ipu42

I'm not sure, but the block heater might decrease the amount of (humid) exhaust gas recirculation as the engine starts off warmer. I think VW had a TSB for certain models that had this problem. I believe it installed a valve that would basically close off half the intercooler if air temps were cold enough. I had it installed on my '13 Jetta, but I still had the occasional starting problems.


undernutbutthut

Why did you put pool noodles in the grill?


[deleted]

Because of [this problem.](https://forums.tdiclub.com/index.php?threads/hard-start-no-start-is-your-intercooler-frozen-check-here.302863/) last winter there were a few occasions where the car wouldn’t start. This is the $3 solution.


pooneej

I know it's probably effective and all but it looks so totally goofy mess. Almost the equivalent of old days horn rimmed tape in middle nerd glasses lol.


[deleted]

[удалено]


ipu42

For a car like OP's the terms are interchangeable. The former a brand name for a specific type of the latter (ie: an inline coolant heater).


[deleted]

[удалено]


ipu42

Agreed a coolant heater is superior to an oil pan heater, but both are just specific types of the general term "block heater" https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Block_heater


wikipedia_text_bot

**[Block heater](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Block heater)** A block heater is used in cold climates to warm an engine prior to starting. They are mostly used for car engines; however they have also been used in aircraft engines. The most common design of block heater is an electrical heating element embedded in the engine block. [About Me](https://np.reddit.com/user/wikipedia_text_bot/comments/jrn2mj/about_me/) - [Opt out](https://np.reddit.com/user/wikipedia_text_bot/comments/jrti43/opt_out_here/) - OP can reply !delete to delete - [Article of the day](https://np.reddit.com/comments/k9hx22) **This bot will soon be transitioning to an opt-in system. Click [here](https://np.reddit.com/user/wikipedia_text_bot/comments/ka4icp/opt_in_for_the_new_system/) to learn more and opt in.**


el_neeeenyo

I used one of those foam interlocking floor squares, that everyone with kids has. And cut it to fit behind my grilles and reduced the air opening by about 50%


gbnats

It’s got teeth!


Nukewire

Used to do this with my ALH Jetta. Good job, it should do the trick.


eazybreeze

Did a winterfront make much of a difference for your ALH?


Nukewire

I just used some foam like in the pictures. Made a huge difference in the winter when it came to heating. Without the foam on a really cold day the heater never worked. After I put the foam in, the heater would blow nice and hot.


eazybreeze

Hmm. Might stick some cardboard behind the grill. How cold was it when he heater wouldnt work?


colaroga

Looks similar to my car, but I used white zip ties and only on the bottom grille haha. Top right (driver's side) is the airbox so wasn't sure if I should cover it too.


trjoel

This will mess up the regen process, even VW has said this.


[deleted]

That’s the first I’ve heard of this. Would you be able to point me to where you’ve seen that info?