Extreme cold pics
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Lexusbstrdchild
New member
thats beutiful up there! what were you doing up there?
PedsFlightRN
New member
Awesome pics! Just gorgeous.
whitney8
New member
Now you have to tell us the story of what happened when your radiaor FROZE, while driving no less! That is damn cold!carina71 said:
I don't know what your driving conditions are like up there, but my expirence is that car bras do more harm than good. Dirt gets under it and then rubs marks in the paint.
Just go with the hood guard and call it good.
carina71
New member
Re: Re: Extreme cold pics
Yeah I kinda didn't tell the whole story. So here is the skinny: I was coming back south to Fairbanks from just north of Coldfoot. Coldfoot has the lowest recorded temp in North America -88F (without windchill) and we don't talk about windchill up here. Now, I really don't know how cold it was 'cause the Toyota thermometer only goes to -22F, and it spent a lot of time showing that temp, but occasionally would show me -- (no numbers). I'm guessing it was at least -50F. Of course, when the radiator freezes, the engine overheats because the is no circluation of coolant in the engine. I actually "saw" it happen (luckily). Temperatures can vary wildly on this highway, but generally depress in the valleys. I was going down into a valley and the steering stated to get a little sluggish (happens a lot up here, so it's a heads up to start watching the gauges). Sure enough, the steering started to get really "stiff" and then the temperature gauge shot up within 30 seconds to the red, I immediately pulled off to the side and shut off the engine.
After throwing my spare Carharrt coat over the radiator cap I loosened it--steam everywhere of course, and a fair amount of gurgling.
Let it sit open for about 5 min (I sat iside the car where it was warm). Turned the key to on (but not start) saw the temp had dropped to the middle again. Checked the fluid level (got lucky there), replaced the radiator cap, stuffed my coat in front of the radiator, closed the hood and was on my way again.
As for the bra, no it does not help keep the radiator warm. But, in the summer time this road is gravel (big gravel), and semi trucks trucks throw good size rocks right at you when the pass from the opposite direction, the bumper catches probably 80% of them and they can leave dime-sized chips in the paint--So, a few bra rubs (in my mind) are minor in comparison... Besides, I wouldn't want to leave my girl "exposed" in such a harsh place....
Oh, yeah, I almost forgot. the "fix" for the radiator is to put something in front of it. People have used cardboard, aluminum foil, closed cell foam, etc. I SHOULD HAVE DONE THIS BEFORE I LEFT FAIRBANKS.
Probably more than you wanted to know, but there it is.
whitney8 said:Now you have to tell us the story of what happened when your radiaor FROZE, while driving no less! That is damn cold!
I don't know what your driving conditions are like up there, but my expirence is that car bras do more harm than good. Dirt gets under it and then rubs marks in the paint.
Yeah I kinda didn't tell the whole story. So here is the skinny: I was coming back south to Fairbanks from just north of Coldfoot. Coldfoot has the lowest recorded temp in North America -88F (without windchill) and we don't talk about windchill up here. Now, I really don't know how cold it was 'cause the Toyota thermometer only goes to -22F, and it spent a lot of time showing that temp, but occasionally would show me -- (no numbers). I'm guessing it was at least -50F. Of course, when the radiator freezes, the engine overheats because the is no circluation of coolant in the engine. I actually "saw" it happen (luckily). Temperatures can vary wildly on this highway, but generally depress in the valleys. I was going down into a valley and the steering stated to get a little sluggish (happens a lot up here, so it's a heads up to start watching the gauges). Sure enough, the steering started to get really "stiff" and then the temperature gauge shot up within 30 seconds to the red, I immediately pulled off to the side and shut off the engine.
After throwing my spare Carharrt coat over the radiator cap I loosened it--steam everywhere of course, and a fair amount of gurgling.
Let it sit open for about 5 min (I sat iside the car where it was warm). Turned the key to on (but not start) saw the temp had dropped to the middle again. Checked the fluid level (got lucky there), replaced the radiator cap, stuffed my coat in front of the radiator, closed the hood and was on my way again.
As for the bra, no it does not help keep the radiator warm. But, in the summer time this road is gravel (big gravel), and semi trucks trucks throw good size rocks right at you when the pass from the opposite direction, the bumper catches probably 80% of them and they can leave dime-sized chips in the paint--So, a few bra rubs (in my mind) are minor in comparison... Besides, I wouldn't want to leave my girl "exposed" in such a harsh place....
Oh, yeah, I almost forgot. the "fix" for the radiator is to put something in front of it. People have used cardboard, aluminum foil, closed cell foam, etc. I SHOULD HAVE DONE THIS BEFORE I LEFT FAIRBANKS.
Probably more than you wanted to know, but there it is.
ToyotaDoodz
New member
Great pics and interesting story. Have you ever been to the chicken poop in Chicken? 
Interesting and much needed little place. Great cinnamon rolls at 1/2 lb each. I've been to Fairbanks, Tok, Eagle, etc. Loved Alaska and the Yukon. Plan to drive my vehicle the next time. I saw several cool custom wire mesh screen rock catchers on vehicles. There wold be a metal square tube frame the same dimension as the front end covering the bottom of the bumper up to the front of the hood and side to side with with open wire mesh covering the entire front. They'd have another one just like it covering the windshield. Pretty neat. I have a pic of one at home. I'll post tonight.
As we were told, there are only two seasons in Alaska. Winter and construction. The roads tend to shift on the permafrost and break so they're constantly being repaired (in summer) and there's lots of nice loose gravel waiting for a truck to throw it at you.
I've seen zip up radiator covers on semi truck for years. Never though about needing one on something smaller but it makes sense. I'm a little slow this morning. How does popping the radiator cap help unfreeze the radiator?
Do you have a block heater? Any other weather specific add ons to your rig?
Interesting and much needed little place. Great cinnamon rolls at 1/2 lb each. I've been to Fairbanks, Tok, Eagle, etc. Loved Alaska and the Yukon. Plan to drive my vehicle the next time. I saw several cool custom wire mesh screen rock catchers on vehicles. There wold be a metal square tube frame the same dimension as the front end covering the bottom of the bumper up to the front of the hood and side to side with with open wire mesh covering the entire front. They'd have another one just like it covering the windshield. Pretty neat. I have a pic of one at home. I'll post tonight.As we were told, there are only two seasons in Alaska. Winter and construction.
The roads tend to shift on the permafrost and break so they're constantly being repaired (in summer) and there's lots of nice loose gravel waiting for a truck to throw it at you. I've seen zip up radiator covers on semi truck for years. Never though about needing one on something smaller but it makes sense. I'm a little slow this morning. How does popping the radiator cap help unfreeze the radiator?
Do you have a block heater? Any other weather specific add ons to your rig?
Sac State
New member
If your radiator was frozen, how did you thaw it out enough to continue driving? I mean, if it was frozen and you are in -50* weather, putting your Carhartt in front of the radiator would not have been enough to thaw the frozen radiator.
I have been in -45* weather with a nice 10-15mph wind. It is downright scary. If your battery died and you are stranded, two hours top for survival.
BTW....I had a brand new Ford Explorer rental when I was in this weather. The odo had 200 miles on it and when I started the vehicle in the morning, I could hear the pain and suffering of the new engine trying to break very sluggish if not frozen motor oil.
I'd hate to see the long term reliability of this engine after 'breaking' her in like that. I told the guy at Hertz and 'oh-well' was his reply.
I have been in -45* weather with a nice 10-15mph wind. It is downright scary. If your battery died and you are stranded, two hours top for survival.
BTW....I had a brand new Ford Explorer rental when I was in this weather. The odo had 200 miles on it and when I started the vehicle in the morning, I could hear the pain and suffering of the new engine trying to break very sluggish if not frozen motor oil.
I'd hate to see the long term reliability of this engine after 'breaking' her in like that. I told the guy at Hertz and 'oh-well' was his reply.
Hitman
New member
Did you ever consider removing your thermostat in really cold weather?
Without the restriction of the thermostat, the coolant will flow at a higher rate, which will make freezing unlikely. Your engine will run a little cooler than normal, but your radiator will be warmer than normal.
Also, instead of running a 50% mix of antifreeze and water (which typically protects only to -26F) you should put 2/3 antifreeze and 1/3 water in your radiator, which should protect from freezing to -76F
Your radiator will never freeze again... not even in that place!!
Without the restriction of the thermostat, the coolant will flow at a higher rate, which will make freezing unlikely. Your engine will run a little cooler than normal, but your radiator will be warmer than normal.
Also, instead of running a 50% mix of antifreeze and water (which typically protects only to -26F) you should put 2/3 antifreeze and 1/3 water in your radiator, which should protect from freezing to -76F
Your radiator will never freeze again... not even in that place!!
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ToyotaDoodz
New member
Here's the pic of the rock deflector I saw in Dawson City. Florida plates on this little Mercedes.
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carina71
New member
ToyotaDoodz said:Great pics and interesting story. Have you ever been to the chicken poop in Chicken?
Yeah, I know the Wiren's--they own the place, but have not seen them in several years (5?). If you ever come up here we should get together, send me a PM and we can work it out.
Removing the radiator cap releases pressure, which is an exothermic reaction--gives off heat causing things to cool. Kinda like removing a bottle cap from an extra cold beer, liquid when sealed but open it and ice crystals form...
Yeah, I got all the cold weather stuff: block heater, oil pan heater, battery heater/trickle charger, etc. I had a zip-up vinyl cover for my 93 4Runner radiator, and it worked okay. Haven't seen any for the 04's though--can't imagine they would look good. Going to customize one out of closed cell foam. Since there is plenty of room under the hood it won't even show.
carina71
New member
ToyotaDoodz said:
Okay, as from my last response... Uncapping the radiator doesn't "unfreeze" it per say. That happens when you stop the car and the wind isn't so intense on the radiator. However, uncapping the radiator does release pressure (see last thread response) and causes the overflow resevoir to be "sucked" back into the radiator--also helping to unfreeze it. Keeping the radiator cap off helps to cool the engine (see last thread). All kind of twisted and conter-intuitive.
carina71
New member
Hitman said:
Never tried removing the thermostat. Since shielding the radiator works quite well, no reason to risk it by removing the thermostat.
The dealer here claims that they winterize all new vehicles to a -50F antifreeze mix.
Probably the reason I was able to thaw my radiator so quickly was because I caught it early, before it was really, really frozen.
Finally... This is Alaska, I've learned to not say NEVER, ever.
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azskyrider
New member
winch it!
Carina,
Pictures look very nice. Seeing those pictures brought memories of my experience and chills....
One thing I noticed is that you don't have a winch. From my experience in the snow a winch has saved me more times than any lift or lockers. It doesn't take much to get stuck and the snow will pack the tread very easily. Especially if you are going up an incline or decline slope. Doesn't take much. Be safe.
Cheers,
Carina,
Pictures look very nice. Seeing those pictures brought memories of my experience and chills....
One thing I noticed is that you don't have a winch. From my experience in the snow a winch has saved me more times than any lift or lockers. It doesn't take much to get stuck and the snow will pack the tread very easily. Especially if you are going up an incline or decline slope. Doesn't take much. Be safe.
Cheers,
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carina71
New member
Re: winch it!
Got a chain and a hitch, and plenty of friendly Alaskans to pull me out. in most places along this road there just isn't anything to tie the wench cable to. As for snow packing in the tread. That doesn't happen very often here because the snow is so dry--its darn rare to have snow here that you can pack into a snowball. I grew up in the midwest, been here in Alaska for 12 years, the snow is completely different. For instance, look at my tires closely in the picture, not much snow between the tread at all. And -20F you can drive on it like pavement (except for the turns and stopping distance).
Thanks for your concern though. If I get stuck and no one around to pull me out, I am still prepared. Have arctic sleeping bag good to -30F, refrigerware insulated coveralls, Lacross boots rated to -135F, white fuel camp stove, water, coffee singles, freeze dried food, and the list goes on. I work outside in this stuff, I know what it is all about.
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azskyrider said:
Got a chain and a hitch, and plenty of friendly Alaskans to pull me out. in most places along this road there just isn't anything to tie the wench cable to. As for snow packing in the tread. That doesn't happen very often here because the snow is so dry--its darn rare to have snow here that you can pack into a snowball. I grew up in the midwest, been here in Alaska for 12 years, the snow is completely different. For instance, look at my tires closely in the picture, not much snow between the tread at all. And -20F you can drive on it like pavement (except for the turns and stopping distance).
Thanks for your concern though. If I get stuck and no one around to pull me out, I am still prepared. Have arctic sleeping bag good to -30F, refrigerware insulated coveralls, Lacross boots rated to -135F, white fuel camp stove, water, coffee singles, freeze dried food, and the list goes on. I work outside in this stuff, I know what it is all about.
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