Advice on important maintenance?

[seanshreds]

Hey guys,
I am not extremely educated on everything that I need to do to ensure the long lifetime of my car and have a few questions! I was just reading a thread and learned what a transmission cooler does and want to know how effective it really is at preventing the pink milk shake? If it is really what I understand it to be, can I get a recommendation for a brand/part #? Also, I have had my runner for about 6 or 7 months and want to know the first things I should do to maintain it that are most likely to fail? It is a 1997 sr5 4wd automatic with 130k on it. Any and all advice on important/worthwhile stuff is much appreciated.

 

[fluffeh]

Common major maintenance things are LBJ's, water pump & timing belt, normal tune-up stuff (plugs, wires, etc) and yeah, the tranny cooler. I don't have one personally yet due to cost stuff, but if you search a little bit you'll find plenty on tranny coolers and even a few write-ups. But running a separate tranny cooler is the only way to completely prevent the pink milkshake.

 

[audiness]

I got a tranny cooler from a jeep in a junkyard for $7. I spent more on replacing the transmission fluid than the cooler.

 

[ICD]

I'm right there with you on the technical expertise. Got a couple things planned in this order.

1. LBJ and OTR
2. Timing belt and Water pump
3. TB and MAF cleaning.
4. Valve Cover gaskets

Tires are also in the list but that's not a need more a necessity. I can do most of those but the figures the most expensive ones I can't.

 

[kball]

want to know how effective it really is at preventing the pink milk shake?

If you bypass the built in cooler in the radiator an external cooler is 100,000% effective! That is, unless your coolant has learned a way to wirelessly move into your transmission....

 

[seanshreds]

Stoked! thanks guys, my timing belt and water pump were replaced a couple thousand miles ago so I am good with that but it sounds like the next thing i will definitely be doing is a tranny cooler because my car is a prime subject target to the pink milkshake being a 97 with some rust on the bottom. Also, how much are new LBJs? and how difficult are they to install on my own?

 

[BlackCat914]

I got a tranny cooler from a jeep in a junkyard for $7. I spent more on replacing the transmission fluid than the cooler.

Seriously? When whats his face backed into a tree and dented his tailgate, he got a replacement for $80 from LKQ. I looked for a replacement tailgate from LKQ, because mine has a tiny bit of rust forming. They wanted $900!!! Where are you lucky dogs finding all these cheap parts!? LOL.

 

[ICD]

Stoked! thanks guys, my timing belt and water pump were replaced a couple thousand miles ago so I am good with that but it sounds like the next thing i will definitely be doing is a tranny cooler because my car is a prime subject target to the pink milkshake being a 97 with some rust on the bottom. Also, how much are new LBJs? and how difficult are they to install on my own?

Difficulty is up in the air. Price from Camelback Toyota in my pending cart



Description MSRP Price Your Price Core Price Qty Total Cost
Mechanical Catalog - 1999 - Toyota - 4RUNNER
front suspension, lower control arm, lower ball joint 4-Runner Left 2WD 4-RUNNER 95-02 TACOMA $107.35 $77.45 $0.00 $77.45
Mechanical Catalog - 1999 - Toyota - 4RUNNER
front suspension, lower control arm, lower ball joint 4-Runner Right 2WD 4-RUNNER 95-02 TACOMA $118.05 $85.16 $0.00 $85.16
Mechanical Catalog - 1999 - Toyota - 4RUNNER
steering, steering gear & linkage, outer tie rod 4-Runner Right POWER RACK & PINION $64.09 $46.24 $0.00 $46.24
Mechanical Catalog - 1999 - Toyota - 4RUNNER
steering, steering gear & linkage, outer tie rod 4-Runner Left POWER RACK & PINION $64.09 $46.24 $0.00 $46.24
Sub Total: $255.09
Estimated Shipping: $0.00
Total: $255.09
If you change quantity, please click Recalculate.

RECALCULATE EMPTY CART ADD TO FAVORITES SHOP MORE CHECKOUT

 

[CaliCal]

you can buy a new radiator and forget about the cooler too.

 

[thor999]

Seriously? When whats his face backed into a tree and dented his tailgate, he got a replacement for $80 from LKQ. I looked for a replacement tailgate from LKQ, because mine has a tiny bit of rust forming. They wanted $900!!! Where are you lucky dogs finding all these cheap parts!? LOL.

See 'em all the time on CL here in Denver for around $300...

 

[seanshreds]

you can buy a new radiator and forget about the cooler too.

which is cheaper or more effective?

 

[hrt4me]

which is cheaper or more effective?

get both

 

[CaliCal]

cheap would be just the radiator. down the road you can get the cooler if you like.

 

[downpour11]

Extend your diff breather. It will help to not blow your rear axle seals. Very cheap and worth it.