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Nostromo



Member Since: 17 Jul 2015
Location: The Mendip Hills
Posts: 73

United Kingdom 
Heater Air Intake Grill Cowl/Cover options ?
Hi,

I've been thinking of installing a Heater Air Intake Grill Cowl Cover. My defender's parked outside 24/7 and over the recent spell of bad weather I estimate many gallons of water have poured into the heater inlet and I've no idea if thats a bad thing or whether the inlet is designed to deal with water ingress ?

I've discovered plastic and metal ones are available and some of the plastic ones are advertised as being paintable, whilst other advertisers don't say one way or the other ?

This cowl I spotted on a topic I looked at earlier looks ok - looks like it might be painted metal to me :-


Click image to enlarge


Does anyone know exactly which make this one is ? . . . it looks well made and just the job ?

Also interested to know what people think about these in general and any experience of the pro's & con's of plastic v metal ones ?

Thanks


Post #491641 12th Jan 2016 11:27pm
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Screbble



Member Since: 26 Apr 2015
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 2061

United Kingdom 2004 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Zambezi Silver
Google 'Defender Snow Cowl.'

There are plenty available.

Example below Thumbs Up



Click image to enlarge
Post #491653 12th Jan 2016 11:43pm
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Windowlicker



Member Since: 24 Aug 2014
Location: East yorks
Posts: 290

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 HT Stornoway Grey
Difficult to see, but I do t have a specific picture of it to hand, mine is the abs plastic one from mud, colour coded, as it stood out too much as textured black plastic.
I also chose plastic as I did like the idea of any force or impact on a metal one , transferring the damage into the wing top.

I hope if ever there was such an impact or force , this one would just rip off or deform.


Click image to enlarge
 "Procrastination is the thief of time"
Post #491657 12th Jan 2016 11:56pm
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leeds



Member Since: 28 Dec 2009
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 8578

United Kingdom 
The original snow cowl or heater air intake were metal and designed/made for the military!

The plastic ones are normally vacuumed formed from different suppliers. Will not comment on how quality of plastics can vary.

We supply stainless steel versions, normally black powder coated. I have never of a wing being damaged by one. We also can supply a 5mm rubber gasket as well.. Improves the seal especially if cowl is going straight on top of chequer plate.


Brendan
Post #491665 13th Jan 2016 12:27am
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Nostromo



Member Since: 17 Jul 2015
Location: The Mendip Hills
Posts: 73

United Kingdom 
Thanks for the useful info and comments.

My Defender's Aintree Green . . . any thoughts on whether any supplier could provide one pre painted in Aintree Green ? . . . I'm certainly thinking a colour coded matching one would be the way I'd prefer to go.

I'm still considering plastic and metal . . . as there appears to be pro's and cons to both ?

Thanks

Question

by the way - my photo above came from a post called DEFENDER WITH BENTLEY ALLOYS in Wheels & Tyres.
Post #491696 13th Jan 2016 7:04am
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Anderzander



Member Since: 08 Feb 2011
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 999

United Kingdom 
Perhaps the other points to make are that the standard arrangement is designed to cope with water. It has a drain off point with a rubber valve on it - and you should only have problems if that becomes blocked.

The other point, and I've only read this, is that the cowls restrict airflow for your heater and you will notice a reduction in its output.

All of that said - plenty of people live with them happily, probably inspired by the aesthetic as much as anything ?

I'm thinking of starting to drive to the Alps to ski, rather than fly, and would fit one for that.
Post #491697 13th Jan 2016 7:37am
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ken



Member Since: 18 Aug 2009
Location: Banging Birds with my bitches !!
Posts: 4328

United Kingdom 
Standard Mud Cowl unpainted


Click image to enlarge


Standard Mud Cowl Painted Sant Black



Click image to enlarge


Military Grade Painted Satin Black on Grey and Green



Click image to enlarge




Click image to enlarge
Post #491704 13th Jan 2016 8:01am
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nosnibod



Member Since: 15 Aug 2007
Location: West Midlands
Posts: 365

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Corris Grey
I found on my Td5 that the air flow was restricted by the cowl and I removed it during summer months. Where the cowl excelled was in conjunction with the Webasto fuel burning heater I had on that vehicle - it kept the vent clear of snow whilst I was still tucked up in bed and the 110 was defrosting itself.

I may fit (or get fitted) a pre-heater to my current 2.2 but the heater and air flow is so much better I wanted to go through a winter first and see what it was like. If I do fit one, I'll fit a snow cowl too. I have an aluminium one from IRB Developments ready to fit -who I will also get to fit a Webasto if I feel its warranted.

I suspect that on a Puma you wouldn't notice a decrease in airflow with a cowl fitted. Dave
Gracie - 2015 110 XS County Station Wagon
Post #491708 13th Jan 2016 8:32am
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Screbble



Member Since: 26 Apr 2015
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 2061

United Kingdom 2004 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Zambezi Silver
http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic13138.html?view=next

Plenty of helpful discussion here.

My personal favourite, although not to everyone's taste, is the KBX Thumbs Up
Post #491712 13th Jan 2016 8:49am
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Scoobeenut



Member Since: 04 Mar 2015
Location: West London
Posts: 310

United Kingdom 2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 SW Santorini Black
I just fitted the MUD snowl cowl and when I took of the old grille the heater duct was full of pine needles and other crud. I think it's a worthwhile to fit to keep the crud and water out.
Post #491713 13th Jan 2016 8:52am
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Litch



Member Since: 10 Mar 2013
Location: Oxfordshire
Posts: 760

England 
I agree that it definitely restricts the air-flow, I only fit mine when snow is likely and for the rest of the time it is in the garage. Can't get away from the fact that when it does snow, they really does the job.

My heater has always been excellent (mainly due to me setting it up correctly, I think they are built with the incorrect adjustment!) and I like to keep it that way hence I am happy to spend 5-minutes fitting the cowl a couple of times a year when snow is forecast. ONE LIFE, GET IT!
Post #492780 15th Jan 2016 10:16pm
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Supacat



Member Since: 16 Oct 2012
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 11018

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS DCPU Keswick Green
nosnibod wrote:
I suspect that on a Puma you wouldn't notice a decrease in airflow with a cowl fitted.


I certainly don't notice a decrease in mine.
Post #492816 16th Jan 2016 12:00am
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Edzi



Member Since: 20 Sep 2015
Location: London
Posts: 276

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Alaska White
I went for a steel one from the fab folks at http://www.4x4overlander.com/
Very pleased with the look, quality and fit. Got a gasket for it too as I have chequer tops.
Post #492839 16th Jan 2016 4:35am
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