could us a hand, anyone know this forum good?

[smokeythebear]

hey guys and gals. so my girlfriend bought a 2001 4runner sport limited a year ago and we started to buy supplies to fix it up.

we got tranny filter,12 qts mobile 1 ATF (got extra for the next drop), mobile 1 grease,mobile 1 oil,koyo a1998 rad, 2 toyota red anti. along with 2 gallons of distiled water. also got the timming belt/pump kit off ebay.


So the rig hits 150k and we have basicly everything we needed and I went to change the oil one day, seen a wet spot around where the tranny line goes in. told her it's gotta be parked till we can get to it.

she calls her dad and he is a "mechanic" (backyard) so he insisted that he must be the one who does it cause i'm not a "mechanic" like him

so a week later he get's the job done.

he's all bent cause we spent $ on a new rad and "there is nothing wrong with the old one".

I'm looking for the thread that shows the pictures of the guy cutting off the part of his old rad that looked brand new only to find it's been rusting out from the inside out!!! I need to show him that cause telling him is in one ear and out the other.


I got the old one and want to find that thread to email him along with pictures from me cutting into her old one.

 

[Baja Runner]

Right around 160k, it seems that the stock transmission cooler heat exchange plate with the radiator starts to deteriorate. I have been a member on Yotatech since 2003, and as well as Tacoma Territory, and have seen at least 300 people who have had to rebuild their entire transmission because of this.

Not sure why its not considered a Toyota recall, but it's common among other manufacturers as well.

Changing the radiator is very good insurance. It may have gone 300k without needing a new radiator, bu who wants to take the chance? It all depends on how well the previous owner took care of the cooling system. Even though I feel Toyota owners take good care of their cars, its still uncommon for people to change their coolant every 50k.

 

[Nelsonmd]

Right around 160k, it seems that the stock transmission cooler heat exchange plate with the radiator starts to deteriorate. I have been a member on Yotatech since 2003, and as well as Tacoma Territory, and have seen at least 300 people who have had to rebuild their entire transmission because of this.

Not sure why its not considered a Toyota recall, but it's common among other manufacturers as well.

Changing the radiator is very good insurance. It may have gone 300k without needing a new radiator, bu who wants to take the chance? It all depends on how well the previous owner took care of the cooling system. Even though I feel Toyota owners take good care of their cars, its still uncommon for people to change their coolant every 50k.

Yup. Besides, you only spent about $120 on it. Pretty small investment compared to the couple G's it'll take to replace your tranny if it gets destroyed. If he is worth anything as a mechanic, then he can do his own research and come to the right conclusion, that you did the right thing.

 

[zcruiser]

she calls her dad

That's a problem right there.

so a week later he get's the job done.

What job did he do, specifically? Change the rad?

 

[Mauzer]

this one?
any body ever crack-opened up OEM rad, if not, here we go! - YotaTech Forums

 

[techno]

This thread was posted recently and could be of use for your argument...
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/92547-averted-milkshake.html

 

[sonoranrunner]

Changing the radiator out is certainly a smart thing to do, especially at 150,000 on your truck! I was the one who recently replaced mine (no outward sign of deterioration) except a cronic overheating problem, but with the help of a BFH, found that not only was it totally clogged (even after running radiator cleaner and flush) AND it was completely corroding from the inside out! My truck is my baby and thought a 170 dollar investment including external tranny cooler was a no brainer! Swapping radiator was very easy and straight forward, and took no time at all. Easy fix, and knowing your milkshake free is priceless. Highly recommended fix

 

[brian2sun]

Her Dad is just looking out for you guys. Being a mechanic, but not necessarily a Toyota mechanic, what he said is generally true. Normally, there isn't any reason to replace the radiator in most vehicles unless it's leaking, overheating, sludgy, rusty, clogged, etc..

But the milkshake is a known issue (as you know) in our generation of 4runners with auto trannies. Only a mechanic experienced with 3rd gens specifically would know that, so don't be too hard on him. You made the right call though.