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On closer inspection, it looks like this '99 came with a transmission cooler. I guess I am surprized that the truck doesn't have a trailer hitch. Is it standard practice to put it in the passenger corner bumper? Thats not the most efficient location and certainly not going to do much good in stop and go traffic. Once I remove the radiator I can re-route the lines to in front of the condenser to take full advantage of the radiator fans.
On closer inspection, it looks like this '99 came with a transmission cooler. I guess I am surprized that the truck doesn't have a trailer hitch.
The '99 came with a "Towing Prep" option which included a bigger alternator, transmission cooler, and prewiring to the trunk area. The hitch was a separate option.
The '99 came with a "Towing Prep" option which included a bigger alternator, transmission cooler, and prewiring to the trunk area. The hitch was a separate option.
Interesting and disappointing at the same time. If my RX is running at 190* after an hour on the highway with a factory cooler and a weak engine thermostat opening at 150*, how hot are the others running without a cooler? Is the cooler working at all in stop and go traffic? Anyway, this will be a good comparison once I install a new cooler in a better location and we will find out what the running temps will be.
When it comes to auxiliary coolers you can run it like Lexus does, just out in a passive air flow stream where the air will just cool the outer surface. Or you can add a fan to it. The fan can either push air into the cooler or pull air through the cooler. Pulling air through a cooler (radiator) is the most efficient option, which is why all cars have the fans behind the radiator. Its important to note that Pushing air into a cooler is only 70% as efficient as pulling. And passive air flow is virtually useless.
I expect my transmission temps to be 20* cooler when I am done, running at 170*.
After removing the factory trans cooler and replacing the radiator and condenser and thermostat and adding the 70264 B&M cooler, the transmission now runs at 160* and coolant at 175*. Thats a 30* difference between the oem cooler and B&M cooler. If you keep the transmission and ATF cool the transmission will last longer.
So moving on to the next issue, the brakes. I spent 3 hours on replacing brake pads this morning. Come to realize that Both rear caliper pistons and guide pins were rusted so bad, they werent able to release. That cant be good for mpg. Plus the front left bleeder valve was siezed. There goes another $165 for 4 new calipers and parts at rockauto.com. Thankfully, I can do this myself. I feel for people who have to pay Lexus to do these repairs. Im up to about $700 in parts since buying this truck. Add in labor and it would have cost close to $5,000 by now.
I feel for people who have to pay Lexus to do these repairs. Im up to about $700 in parts since buying this truck. Add in labor and it would have cost close to $5,000 by now.
Yes, at this point, my RX300 is going to the lowest bidder for work I can't (or don't want to) do myself. I'll keep the Lexus dealership in my back pocket for those really weird, car-specific issues that pop up occasionally!
