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2000 Lexus RX300 Block Heater
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Inkoosikas
New User
Oct 6, 2012, 11:27 PM
Post #1 of 3
(4190 views)
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2000 Lexus RX300 Block Heater
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Hello,
I dont think that I am posting this in the right place, but I was not able to find a place where I could just post a question like this one.
I have a 2000 Lexus RX300 with a 3.0L V6 Engine all wheel drive and it has about 150K miles on it.
My question is, I just moved up to Fairbanks Alaska, and need to winterize it. I don't have enough money to have it done by a shop, so I need to do it myself. My question is, how do I install a block heater for it? Any help is greatly appreciated. And again, sorry for posting in the wrong place.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Oct 7, 2012, 4:32 AM
Post #2 of 3
(4158 views)
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Re: 2000 Lexus RX300 Block Heater
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I dare say you'll just find a kit in most parts stores by just asking. 110v "house" current to a "freeze" plug or block drain. I'd avoid anything to do with vehicle's electrical just something to plug in. IMO doesn't need to make engine warm as if it was just run but up to perhaps at least -20F it should behave.
Think oil viscosities, synthetics do well with extremes.
Also, antifreeze. You have the exception to stray from the standard 50/50 which is no freeze to -34F. It won't expand and break things below that but wont flow as a slush and know it's hard to believe but overheat!
Best or should say worst I've dealt with is -45F air temp, outdoor parked with insane winds. Freaked and covered hood, started engine every couple hours all night dah-de dah and made it.
Hope you have at least wind proof parking and do run it daily during extremes. Have a clue you can expect -40sF and a couple worse.
Some ideas to continue on this......
* Don't use pure antifreeze for engine! Odd but too much isn't good either. Get that exactly right. Again it wont freeze solid if actual temp is a bit lower than your testing but the slush will not circulate thru radiator.
* Windshield washer. If it stays cold you barely need it. See what is locally available. Products that don't evaporate out alcohols would be practical. Use them for a second now and then when warmed up to keep lines flowing and with fresh fluid from reservoir. Alcohol has the lowest freeze point of anything known but will evap at tips.
* Ancient history so ask locally but some things you would dilute gear oils with kerosene. Better tricks would be totally suggested now.
* Tire pressure! Think. For every 10F change you raise or lower pressure by a pound PSI. So you check and fill them at say 70F and it hits -40F you've lost a lot of pressure. CHECK SPARE! I don't here but would consider nitrogen as it isn't temp sensitive.
I would hope gasoline is seasonally adjusted where you buy it. Ask.
* Battery! No games with that. It doesn't have squat for amps at the sub zero temps. Don't let it get old and buy the best. DO ANYTHING NOT TO LET IT DISCHARGE AS IT WILL FREEZE AND CRACK leaking out acid if you get caught. Charged batteries will not freeze. Check again locally if need to add a blanket or something to help keep one warmer longer.
* Could go on forever but think about plain locks and hinges, hood latch etc. You may want to lube those with something less than plain grease or they could be like hard tar to operate.
* Foam filled interior padded anythings. Watch out! Cracked my vinyl covered armrest like a light bulb it was so brittle. Plain don't use power windows and locks any more than mandatory
!!!! CARRY A BLANKET, serious gloves, boots and things to keep warm if you get stuck somewhere!
Hey - It does those temps in Northern New England where I am and elsewhere and we survive. My family actually began in AK on Kodiak but that's temperate compared to Fairbanks.
Have a great time and learn from the locals how they deal with the wildest extremes. See if I can find a fun pic of Fairbanks......
Just a bit chilly! They put coats on when it really gets cold
Tom
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nickwarner
Veteran
/ Moderator
Oct 7, 2012, 6:24 PM
Post #3 of 3
(4129 views)
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Re: 2000 Lexus RX300 Block Heater
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You drive a Lexus, were able to move to Alaska, and have no money to allow a shop to intall a block heater. Need to rethink a thing or two man. I'm from AK myself and you need to prioritize. Go full synthetic oil in engine and trans. Get a set of cheap steel rims with steel stud tires on it and run them only in winter. Go 60/40 instead of 50/50 mix on coolant. If you can park in a garage do it.
By the way, there is a strip club on airport way that is a fun time. Drop in there sometime. Any cab driver will know where you are going.
Watch for moose on the road when the snow hits hard. Mid winter a lot come into town. If you hit one you'll clip his knees and his 1100 pound body will drop on your roof. Need I say more?
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