Auxiliary driving lights in front of radiator

[f-64]

I have a 91 4d 4wd which I have had since 92' I have installed a brush bar and lights about 7 years ago. My repair shop has told me that the Hella 500 driving lights which I have mounted on the brush bar in front of my radiator is reducing the air flow over the radiator. In fact my mechanic says that they will not honor the warranty on the engine rebuild if I don't remove the lights that are only about 6 or 7 in. in dia. I have an extra heavy cooling radiator and a heavy duty fan clutch.
I would like to hear anyones opinon on this matter. Thanks Bob

 

[Alec]

It's BS. As long as there is enough space between the lights and the front of the truck for air to flow behind them and they don't completely block the grille, you're fine. Like you said, you have a HD cooling system and have had the lights for 7 years.

 

[Bill Kemp]

Will he void the warantee if you follow a semi too close also?
The air goes around the lights. The lights dont constitute a blockage like a Lund "cold air front".
I hope he know more about what ever hes rebuilding than he does about air flow.

 

[JDraper]

The mechanic is full of bull! Looks like he is just looking for a way to get out of his warranty. The lights will not do any harm to the engine. A stock cooling system can keep the truck from overheating sitting still in 100° weather with just airflow from the fan. They won't make a difference!

 

[f-64]

Bill, Alex, Jeff
Thanks for your imput. I new in my mind that what I was being told about the air flow over the lights was bogus but thought I had better check it out before I put my foot in my mouth.
My mechanics thought was that at high speed the wind hits the lights and shoots the air flow off to the sides. He has rebuild the engine three times and each time the heads crack he says because of excess heat.
Bob

 

[Alec]

If the same thing has happened 3 times after a rebuild, it's the rebuilder and not the lights. How long does the motor take to fail?

I'd either get the opinions of some other local mechanics or take the lights off so he'll fix it again. Finding another place to mount lights is a lot cheaper and easier than dealing with a motor rebuild.

 

[f-64]

Alec;

The rebuild has gone for as long as a couple of months to a little as two weeks. He is rebuilding it now. Each time he has done so without any complaint but he is making sounds now about the lights being the problem.
I may try to relocate the lights however the brush bar has a nice little mounting place for them right where they sould be and I hate to move them. But like you said it may the the easy way out of this mess. I suppose that I could always move them back after the fact.
Bob

 

[Black Magic]

He is full of it! Just take them off for the repair and then put them back on. Tell him you took them off the last time you saw him and they were not the problem. His Sbitty Builds are! And Demand to have your truck fixed at another shop by another mechanic and they have to pay for it!

 

[Alec]

I agree you should have the motor repaired by another shop at no cost. Did you pay with a credit card? I always pay for auto repairs on credit so I can get the money back if the work/warranty sucks.

 

[Black Magic]

Side Note, Alec do you really have 10,x..+ Posts? Or was that left over from April Fools Day?

 

[Alec]

 

[Hokie]

Yeah, but how many of those are...

Shorten your sig

Don't type in all caps