Mesh-Screen for C4S Front Bumper Grilles ***DIY Write-Up Added

I removed my front bumper cover last week to clean the radiators. Took the opportunity to send the bumper cover to the bodyshop to fix some imperfections and get a fresh paintjob. The debris that I cleaned off the radiators was enough to make me think of putting a mesh-screen behind the air-inlet grilles. So since I couldn't drive the car without the front bumper, and it won't be ready for pickup till tomorrow, I spent the time working on the mesh-screen. I used a black plastic mesh for a subtle look, instead of the shiny metal mesh. Here are pics the finished pieces, what do you guys thinK? I'm pretty happy with it. And I'll post more pics after I've installed them on the car. ***UPDATED with a Link to a DIY Write-Up in Post#44

Cos - those pieces look great. How did you do this? Are you in the plastic fabrication business?

I need to pull my bumper off soon to replace the horn Where did you get the plastic mesh ? Looks nice

The plastic mesh looks great. I did the DIY radiator cleaning this weekend and was amazed at the mud buildup in addition to leaves and cigarette butts... I still recommend a radiator cleaning in addition the the mesh mod every few years.

Looks good..job well done.

Looks very professional, nice job. I think this looks much nicer than the chicken wire approach... very subtle, yet functional. Please post pics of them on the car when you are finished.

home depot plastic mesh ? looks good !

It's MUCH better than that silver chick wire crap others use. But really, how necessary is it to keep the radiator perfectly clean?

Just wait an see after you have had your C4S for a while. IMO, you'll be shocked at how much crap gets collected in the front radiators.

Thanks Guys! I used a Hot-Glue gun with black glue sticks to hold the mesh-screen down. Now I only hope it will hold permanently, as I did wonder about the temp in that area, as well as the wind-force on it at high speeds. Seeeu911, Yes, you can get the mesh-screen either from Lowe's or Home Depot. A whole big roll just for 2 small pieces! I took pics of the process for a DIY writeup, if any of you are interested.

OK Cos, WTF do you mean "if any of you are interested." Of course we are interested!!!!!!! Before today, I have never created a custom emoction for a particular topic or person, but I have made an exception for you! ==>

Maybe we should make a thread on what you've found by the radiatior inside the bumper. I've found a cap from a Snapple bottle in there!

Sorry to side track... Is it easy to remove front bumper cover? Any instructions anywhere?

Bijan, took me about an hour on the first attempt. So, should be quicker the 2nd time around when there is less thinking to do. I have a writeup HERE for the radiator cleaning which includes the Front Bumper Removal.

Cosmos, nice job. They look fantastic. You made it look like a factory part. I can't wait to see pictures of them installed.

Hahaha...Good one Tim! I like the smiley! Let me get my bumper cover back hopefully tomorrow, they didn't have it ready today. When I have everything installed, I will take more pics, and do the DIY writeup with the pics.... before Tim threatens me with his vulgar words for pics!!!

This is what I cleaned out Arnee, I forgot to take a shot before cleaning. This is only some of what I could retrieve back from the trash for a demonstration shot. It was a thick blanket of debris, in a vertical strip mostly on the inside area of the radiators (towards the wheel arch side). Lint and dirt was what's binding the stuff together to form the blanket.

Thanks CosmosC4S

Did you pull away the AC condensers and clean the radiator behind them? I screwed that part up the first time I did mine. Theres a lot of crap between the AC condensers (front) and the radiators (back). Picture supplied by Orient Express

that's a lot of crap for me, i'd rather spend the time once every couple years scraping the crap off than adding the grill as i think it looks cheap even in black.

Thanks for the DIY instructions. When I get up the courage to tackle this job, I will absolutely add the mesh. Right now I rely on being able to squeeze my arm inside the area, but that isn't even beginning to clean the radiators adequately. The Werewife's arm would fit, but she won't do it unless or until I take her on a spending spree at Tifffany's.

Yes I did. (Oh, I didn't know those are AC condensers, I thought they were both radiators.) I didn't remove it completey though, I loosened it off the plastic bracket (see pic of it laying up against my wheel), Coz' I didn't want to mess with what was inside those tubings if I disconnected them. But that was good enough for me to hose it back and front, as I could pull it apart with it hanging, enough to clean and hose from behind.

I've heard that the Tiptronic has a 3rd radiator, is that standard? I don't see a 3rd radiator on my car...anyone knows where it is?

Cos - it should be located front and center, down low by the wider opening in the center of the bumper cover. See diagram. No center radiator? Maybe you don't really have a Tip!

Tim...I'm getting nervous now...There is NO 3rd radiator!!! LOOK....

I noticed at a hardware shop here plastic rainwater house gutter "leafguard" similar mesh plastic material, 8 feet by about 6 inch rolls. They are available in black and might also be suitable.

Could it be behind the steel bumper in the above pic?

No Tim, it's not there, I posted the 2nd pic taken sideways to show you that. I need to know if the 3rd radiator was standard on a 02 C4S. If it was, that means the previous owner of my car probably wrecked it, and didn't want to replace it, maybe coz' the car was leased (I know the car was one-owner and leased). So could be he went for a cheap fix and eliminated the 3rd radiator, knowing it will work fine with only 2, and no one will know at lease end. I noticed a crack in the middle of the underside of the bumper, thought it was from a parking curb, now, maybe something ripped that middle underside up and messed up the radiator?

Cosmos, the good news is you can now install the EVO supercharger without problems. Sharkey told me that I couldn't put the EVO SC on my car because of the stock third radiator (mine is a tip).

Wow, looking good!

Here is a thread with an "after" pic of the 3rd radiator install. https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...light=Radiator I also found this old thread about the 3rd radiator. Pay special attention to post #2, #8, & #9. I think this will help you breath easier again. https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...light=Radiator However, I would suggest you start a new thread asking if the 3rd radiator comes standard on a C4S with a Tip. Maybe some of the more technically savvy guys will have a definitive answer.

AHHH...YES Tim, once again, You are The MANN! Thanks for the search and reassuring info. I shall sleep better now. No need for a new thread to confirm that. But the question now is...since I have modded the "so effective" C4S air-inlets, will the 2 radiators still be sufficient? Time will tell, I'll be the guinea pig.

itzkirb has a tip and its supecharged (evo)

Apparently 2 are enough for your car, 'cuz it has run OK for 4 years.

Tim...I think you missed something, I said AFTER I've now modded the "so efficient" C4S Air-Inlets...will the 2 radiators still be sufficient.

I would be hard pressed to imagine that the grill would restrict air-flow so dramatically as to reduce the efficiency of the radiators. Just monitor the temp gauge for a bit to make sure.

Go out and block off 30% - 40% of your air ducts and take a drive. You'll become a believer.

That's working off the assumption that the grills - which seem like they have large holes, are blocking that much air.

At the bare minimum, the mesh is blocking 20% of the air.....probably closer to 30% from the pictures. Add to that the turbulance the mesh causes and your efficiency drops dramatically.

This could be true. I've had girls with large holes that pushed a lot of hot air.

1999...you are not making a complete potential comparison...compare the reduced/turbulent air flow to rocks through the radiator or bugs/leaves/debris splattered all over the radiator...then talk about screens...which you will find on most race versions.

Well, Only the test of time will tell. I'll keep an eye on it. No big deal if it does affect the cooling/air intake, I'll just remove the screens.

LOL I had to read that twice.

Ok guys, as promised...I've installed the freshly painted bumper cover with the modded Air-Inlet Grilles, and I've done a DIY write-up with lots of Pics. I wanted to repost the DIY here but there're just too many pics to upload. So I've attached the link to the DIY HERE Oh, btw, there was a previous thread discussion on how much it costs to paint the front bumper cover... well, like I said then, I got mine done for $234 plus tax, and that included some minor refinishing and prep work. (I removed the bumper cover and took it over to the bodyshop)

Nice write-up Cos! The screens look good! I hope they reduce the "garbage collection" process greatly.

Redridge, do you know if itzkirb still posts here? I would love to inquire about what he did with the third radiator for the tip and EVO S/C. I tried to PM itzkerb and the system didn't recognize that name. Does anybody know his new alias? Thanks

Yep, and double barrels at that.