Engine Tick + Strawberry Milkshake?

[hairpin]

I just bought my first T4r. It's a 2002 limited with 205K miles on it.

The owner told me that the bottom of the radiator cracked in 2017 and that he had it replaced + transmission flushed. I didn't think much of it until I started reading about the strawberry milkshake. Now, almost 3 years later, the car still drives and shifts without much of an issue -- sometimes when I come to a red light I will feel a little *thump* from the trans. But there is no slipping etc.

Is it safe to say that the tranny is ok since it's been since 2017?

My fluid is a dark brown (does not smell burnt). Toyota dealership recommended leaving it in a little longer and says that changing the fluid could cause slipping/permanent damage. Any recommendations?

Also, I have a slight tick from the engine. Here is the video. Is this anything to worry about? I put about 5 oz of Lucas stabalizer in it after a recent oil change done at Toyota.

Thanks for your help! Video here: YouTube

 

[Dieselchessy]

The tick sounds like the normal valve tick noise. Often requires a valve adjustment playing with shims.
I believe most folks just drive it like that.

Brown tranny fluid? Leave it in? Permanent damage from new fluid?
Not sure about that.
I drop the pan, replace the filter, and replace the fluid.
There are lots of methods on the net and this board where folks provide good procedures for replacing tranny fluid.

I'd just replace the fluid and filter and drive it so long as its working decent.

Is it possible your "thump" at stop is rear brakes, driveline, engine mounts, tranny mounts, 3rd member, rear suspension bushings, ect..... Lots of opportunity for slack in the drivetrain of a 20 year old rig with 200K miles on it.

 

[jgue467]

...radiator cracked ... replaced + transmission flushed.
sometimes when I come to a red light I will feel a little *thump* from the trans. But there is no slipping etc.

Is it safe to say that the tranny is ok since it's been since 2017?

My fluid is a dark brown ...Any recommendations?
...

Trans is probably OK.

Yet if fluid is Brown, I at the very least start doing drain/fills (only gets about 1/3 or so of fluid) yet consider a full flush. Yeah there are Horror stories but ultimately if the trans is in otherwise Good condition, a full flush will do Zero harm and Only Good.

The thump, if it occurs on some more rapid stops could be the driveline compressing then letting go as the brakes are eased up on.

Luck and enjoy the Runner. :cowboy:

 

[rightyouareken]

Thumps when stopping are often driveshaft related...often the slip yoke needing a bit of grease. You might try giving the slip yoke zerk a few pumps of grease to see if that resolves the thump. Might as well grease the rest of the driveshaft zerks too while you're under there.

 

[hairpin]

Thumps when stopping are often driveshaft related...often the slip yoke needing a bit of grease. You might try giving the slip yoke zerk a few pumps of grease to see if that resolves the thump. Might as well grease the rest of the driveshaft zerks too while you're under there.

Ok thanks everyone this is all helpful.

I'm having lower ball joints replaced under Toyota recall. When I go, I'll also have them replace tranny fluid.

Should I asked them to grease the drive shaft while I'm there?

Anything else to ask them to do?

They checked coolant and said it was fine when they changed oil.

 

[rightyouareken]

FWIW, my dealer quoted me like $200 for a driveline lube service, which includes front diff fluid, rear diff fluid, transfer case fluid and driveshaft lubing. If you don't want to do it yourself, a full driveline service like that might be worthwhile.

 

[brillo_76]

Thumps when stopping are often driveshaft related...often the slip yoke needing a bit of grease. You might try giving the slip yoke zerk a few pumps of grease to see if that resolves the thump. Might as well grease the rest of the driveshaft zerks too while you're under there.

+1 on that thump as grease and possible universal going bad cause.

Sent from my SM-J337V using Tapatalk

 

[spartacus]

I would also take the inspection plate off and rule out the flex plate.

 

[T4R2014]

This forum has a way of scaring everyone when buying one of these

Radiator changed? Pink milkshake! Trans flushed? Pink milkshake! Radiator not changed? Neglected. Trans not flushed? Neglected.

The 01-02 transmission failures are more often caused by planetary gear failures. That said, I think yours is fine. Grease the driveline and make sure the brakes aren't sticking. I had a similar issue and it was the driveshaft.

 

[The Cold War Kid]

Get a new piece of heater hose. One end in your ear. Move it around the valve covers. Then put it min beside the fuel injectors on both sides. Highly likely the tick is a noisy fuel injector.

 

[hairpin]

Get a new piece of heater hose. One end in your ear. Move it around the valve covers. Then put it min beside the fuel injectors on both sides. Highly likely the tick is a noisy fuel injector.

Ok, is this ok to drive with? Will that cause engine damage by driving with a tick? Or is it not something you have to get taken care of?

 

[Nachtjager]

Had the same little thump for quite a while with my truck too. Turned out to be the front U-joint was going bad. Changed out the U-joints, completely eliminated the problem. The transmissions on these trucks are pretty darned strong, I wouldn't sweat it. Good luck!

 

[3bears]

Ok, is this ok to drive with? Will that cause engine damage by driving with a tick? Or is it not something you have to get taken care of?

if it is just a slight valve tick or injector tick it should be ok to dirve, if thats all it is.

 

[The Cold War Kid]

Ok, is this ok to drive with? Will that cause engine damage by driving with a tick? Or is it not something you have to get taken care of?

Injector tick is good to go. Drives me nuts, though. I'll put a new set in come spring.