When should the vents behind the grill open?.

[martin33100]

When we first bought are 57 3.0d a remember the front vents behind the grill opening but can't remember when it did it.
Haven't seen them open for a while and tonight I had the cooling fans running and they were still shut.

Can anyone remember when they should be open?

[martin33100]

Any one know?, looks like they should stay shut until the engine warms up.
Had our X5 up to 97degs today and they still didn't open.

[gmc15]

I have only noticed mine opening when coming to a halt at a junction after a long drive on a motorway when the car has been up to working temp for some time. When I stop/slow at a junction I can hear the fan kick in and the vents electrically open. When I pull away again the fan normally stops and the vents close - It's difficult to know exactly when they open and close. As long as your car isn't overheating then hopefully you don't have a problem.
You might get a better idea of their operation as the weather improves and ambient temp. rises.