I tend to keep my vehicles for 150,000+ miles and have had to replace several radiators due to leaks. I can't say for sure what caused the leaks, but I can guess that being clogged with bugs and road debris that get wet and hold moisture contribute to rusting and leaks. Plus, the build up of debris over time will significantly reduce effective cooling.
I decided when we bought the new 2018 Duramax that I wanted to figure out a way to keep the bugs out of the radiator, A/C condenser, charge air cooler, and trans cooler. My answer was to drape a nylon door screen in front of the radiator and behind the front grill. The screen was installed about 40,000 miles and worked exactly as I had hoped. We did cross Nebraska during butterfly season and Wyoming during grasshopper season. You should have seen the carnage on the screen. Since the screen is flexible the bugs don't stay stuck long, as gravity wins. I wish I had taken pictures.
One of my concerns was that the screen may restrict enough airflow that the truck would over heat. I can assure you after pulling our Airstream up to the Eisenhauer tunnel several times, that it did not overheat. In fact, the temperature needle didn't move from normal. We also pulled the trailer in 108°F heat and the temperature needle didn't move from normal. I would bet that with the screen our radiator got more air than it would have after 40,000 miles of bugs getting crammed into the charge air cooler and reducing airflow.
Tonight I did the same screen treatment to the new 2021 Duramax and this time I remembered to take pictures. The taking the top radiator cover off the 2021 is simple. Remove the hood latch extender and use a puller tool to remove the insert from the radiator cover clip, then remove the body of the clip as shown.
Drape the screen in front of the radiator and tie it with zip ties. I didn't take pictures of the front of the radiator with the screen hung, but I should have.
The entire job is about 15 minutes, if you don't drop a clip into the air intake
Finished result.
I decided when we bought the new 2018 Duramax that I wanted to figure out a way to keep the bugs out of the radiator, A/C condenser, charge air cooler, and trans cooler. My answer was to drape a nylon door screen in front of the radiator and behind the front grill. The screen was installed about 40,000 miles and worked exactly as I had hoped. We did cross Nebraska during butterfly season and Wyoming during grasshopper season. You should have seen the carnage on the screen. Since the screen is flexible the bugs don't stay stuck long, as gravity wins. I wish I had taken pictures.
One of my concerns was that the screen may restrict enough airflow that the truck would over heat. I can assure you after pulling our Airstream up to the Eisenhauer tunnel several times, that it did not overheat. In fact, the temperature needle didn't move from normal. We also pulled the trailer in 108°F heat and the temperature needle didn't move from normal. I would bet that with the screen our radiator got more air than it would have after 40,000 miles of bugs getting crammed into the charge air cooler and reducing airflow.
Tonight I did the same screen treatment to the new 2021 Duramax and this time I remembered to take pictures. The taking the top radiator cover off the 2021 is simple. Remove the hood latch extender and use a puller tool to remove the insert from the radiator cover clip, then remove the body of the clip as shown.
Drape the screen in front of the radiator and tie it with zip ties. I didn't take pictures of the front of the radiator with the screen hung, but I should have.
The entire job is about 15 minutes, if you don't drop a clip into the air intake
Finished result.
