Dennis, while I completely respect your wrenching knowledge and decades of past experiences (I believe you started wrenching professionally before I was born!), I'm not really sure what you are trying to say in your post.
Are you saying that using a grill cover in the winter leads to engine failure?
1. Hundreds of Thousands, if not a million Diesel vehicles all over the world use grill covers in winter months.
2. School bus fleets in Michigan, Minnesota, Maine and (insert other cold weather states or countries) come to mind here...
3. Are you accusing me of trying to artificially create more business for Sprinter Mechanics?
4. Do you think I didn't test out this product on my own vehicles before I brought it to market?
5. Do yo think that a disclaimer like *WARNING- do not drive your vehicle for extended periods of time with the temperature needle in the RED* would be appropriate?
I have had and used this product all last winter season and *GASP* even in the Spring in Philadelphia where the temperature got up in the 70s. Did the engine run warmer? Yup.
Did the engine temps go into the red (above 250). NOPE. NOT. EVEN. CLOSE.
As you are certainly aware, a proper functioning cooling system on a Sprinter can handle a whole lot. Almost 15K lbs of weight (van and trailer combined) in the most extreme temperatures. Cover the radiator? Yeah, the temps are gonna go up, but not in the blink of an eye.
And as you are also aware, momentarily dipping into the RED on the temp gauge does not instantly require a complete tossing of the old engine.
How far did he REALLY drive with the engine overheating? Was he towing a car or trailer? Was he driving during the summer?
I gotta say that your anecdote about one idiot who didn't pay attention to his gauges for too long right on the heels of a product that I have vetted for the last year feels pretty lousy. Sure, you've got your right to say whatever you want, but you've got so much useful information to share with the Sprinter community that this previous post seems pretty sub par.
It all leaves me scratching my head trying to figure out what exactly you are trying to say...
Hey Joel I hope you are selling that with a disclaimer !!!!
Not so long ago we had a homemade grill cover in the shop as a visual testament to a blown engine. A Naugahyde roll down affair, complete with MB stitched in emblem no less --Not a Dodge's Rams head to be seen !!!! Made by his missus , quite a pro-job in its own right
Need I mention it!!!
Well poor fellow forgot it was on there with Colorado's ' widely ranging temperatures.
Suffice to state that Polly "really put the kettle on" on a mountain grade and it was more than tea!
An expensive cuppa it t'was at about $7000 plus a tow as I re-call.
Dennis