Had the "pink milkshake", need transmission advice.. replace? re-build?

[4Runnahlovah]

I have an '02 4Runner that I've had since 2006 (just paid it off too). It has 164K miles on it and I am in need of some advice about the transmission.
Back in April I had the infamous "pink milkshake" in the trans fluid from the seal in the radiator for the trans cooler going bad. I didn't drive it very much before I got a new radiator put in. Once that was replaced I had the trans fluid flushed 3 separate times at different shops (coolant system also flushed).
Once I saw that the fluid was running clear and I didn't have any hard shifts while driving I figured I was in the clear. (no pun intended)
Last month I pulled into a nearby grocery store on the way home and noticed the truck didn't shift into park until I turned the key off. Went to pull out of the parking spot and it had a bad delay going into reverse (went into gear when I tapped the gas slightly). Drove home (approx 1-2 miles), listening for any delay or thuds while shifting in drive and heard nothing wrong. Tested it again when I got home and tried reverse instead of park. Didn't want to go until tapping the gas. I left it there where it stood, and am now driving a backup vehicle until I figure out what to do.
Here are the options I've been given:
1) From what I've read on here, it seems like I'm eventually going to have to replace the whole trans, but I'm not sure if it's that bad yet.
2) Drain out a quart of trans fluid and add a quart of Lucas Oil Transmission Fix for the delay.
3) Add Seafoam Trans additive before flushing it again.
3) Have AAMCO take it apart to see how bad it is inside, then let them rebuild ($850 minimum).

I must reiterate that I don't think my situation is as bad as some other stories I've read. I didn't drive it much after the seal in the trans-cooler went bad, and I haven't driven it since I noticed the delay in putting it into park. If I had money to throw around I'd say screw it and get the best factory refurbished transmission with a 100K mile warranty so I could just start fresh. However, my funds are terribly low and I'm really in a tough spot right now financially. Oh what is a lady to do?
People at work say to get a whole new car because of the cost vs. the value of the truck (value is around $7k in good cond.) but who listens to their coworkers? I love my 4Runner and I know what it's been through. I'd hate to start all over, and wouldn't like another car payment either!
I really appreciate any help, thanks in advance!

 

[Whitson Metalworks]

If I were in your shoes, and I very well may be with not knowing the entire history of my 250k'er, i would run it till it wouldn't run, then look for a good used trans. There are plenty of these thing running around with over 200k on the stock trans so if you found one with around half, bolt it in and keep going. Rebuilt or refurbished are too pricey for me.

 

[BrianSD_42]

I have 211,000 on my original V6 transmission.

I agree, drive it till it dies then buy a used trans with less than 120k miles on it. Be sure to do a national parts search through a reputable parts company to find a good one. I bet you could find one for $500 - $750.

 

[SJC]

I also have 211,000 on the original v6 ^ lol

 

[runnyrunnerton]

Know this, if you have a few key options, sport hood, 4x4, e-locker etc. Your dead or dying baby is worth money in parts to the folks on this forum. Way more than you can make getting conned out of it at trade in. Sell it to us before you get hosed by a shark skin suit. Check the classifieds on here and Ihatemud if you don't believe me.

If you like this car then listen up, people buy these things and restore them just like CJ's, land cruisers and discovery's. Your driving a living legend. If you want a classic car that never gets old keep this one. It may never pay off in resale value, but $2K in a new tranny and another 200K in peace of mind beats a new car payment for a vehicle that may or may not be fashionable in a year or so, and chances are your right back in this problem in 3 years.

Buy a new tranny here Rebuilt Manual Transmission | Marlin Crawler, Inc.

or get a used one on if your feeling lucky. My guess is a loan from a local credit union would patch this situation up.

New cars are for the weak, you bought a 3rd gen, aside from some minor issues this rig is one of the coolest cars on the planet. If your broke even dave ramsey is going to tell you not to get into more debt. Fix it, enjoy your awesome car, and I wouldn't be doing this forum justice if i didn't add:worthless

 

[RS Dude]

I have 274,000 miles on my original V6 transmission.:girl:

 

[4Runnahlovah]

Know this, if you have a few key options, sport hood, 4x4, e-locker etc. Your dead or dying baby is worth money in parts to the folks on this forum. Way more than you can make getting conned out of it at trade in. Sell it to us before you get hosed by a shark skin suit. Check the classifieds on here and Ihatemud if you don't believe me.

If you like this car then listen up, people buy these things and restore them just like CJ's, land cruisers and discovery's. Your driving a living legend. If you want a classic car that never gets old keep this one. It may never pay off in resale value, but $2K in a new tranny and another 200K in peace of mind beats a new car payment for a vehicle that may or may not be fashionable in a year or so, and chances are your right back in this problem in 3 years.

Buy a new tranny here Rebuilt Manual Transmission | Marlin Crawler, Inc.

or get a used one on if your feeling lucky. My guess is a loan from a local credit union would patch this situation up.

New cars are for the weak, you bought a 3rd gen, aside from some minor issues this rig is one of the coolest cars on the planet. If your broke even dave ramsey is going to tell you not to get into more debt. Fix it, enjoy your awesome car, and I wouldn't be doing this forum justice if i didn't add:worthless

OK I've added a photo! (see above)
If additional photos are needed of the underside or engine, etc. let me know and I'll take more pictures.

Runnyrunnerton: What you've said here makes me feel better about hanging onto 'er. Thank you for your input. My plan originally was to try and get 500K on it (!) if I could. I just paid it off and would want it to last. This is the last year of the 3rd generation trucks and I can't stand the new body style! (no offense to those who own them). I do NOT want a new car or truck. She's my babeh.

My guess from the other folks on here having their original transmissions with over 200K miles is that they must have known to get their radiator replaced after 4 or 5 years to prevent a coolant/tranny fluid mixture. If I had only KNOWN that would be a problem I would have loved to prevented this whole situation. I've been taking this truck to Toyota to get work done for years now. Why didn't they tell me about this? It's not like it hasn't happened to a lot of T4R owners. Guess they try to set us up for failure in the long run in hopes we'll buy new cars from them. Well I'm not having that!

I would love to put in a (like) new, factory refurbished transmission if I could afford it. Toyota wants $3800 which includes installation. Also comes with a 100K mile warranty, which is why I would choose that route instead of buying a used one myself and having a shop install it. Problem is the funds. I've tried to get a line of credit from Bank of America to no avail. The 2 cards I already have are pretty "up there" toward the credit limit, so they denied me. I'm about to try another avenue for a small loan (although I have no collateral besides my truck) or a credit line through an actual credit union. Screw Bank of America, I can't believe they were that stingy. My debt to income ratio has gone down so much since paying off the 4Runner and one other credit card. Oh well. That's the economy for you I guess.

Anyone ever use the Transmission Fix additive by Lucas Oil?
I guess there may be no point if I'm just getting it replaced anyway. If it could buy me more time until I can save up it would be nice to know if the stuff actually works though.

 

[Maritimer]

I just paid it off and would want it to last. This is the last year of the 3rd generation trucks and I can't stand the new body style! (no offense to those who own them). I do NOT want a new car or truck. She's my babeh.

Best truck to own if you have it paid off. Besides, if you put a new trans in it in a few months, that's one less thing to replace down the road. The 5th 4Runners have what I call "hips", I guess for people's real hips. The 3rd is classic styling. I'm keeping my Runner for a long time, I hope. Only thing I'd rather have is a restored Cruiser.

 

[4Runnahlovah]

Best truck to own if you have it paid off. Besides, if you put a new trans in it in a few months, that's one less thing to replace down the road. The 5th 4Runners have what I call "hips", I guess for people's real hips. The 3rd is classic styling.

I see the "hips" you speak of. My boyfriend hates the increase in size they've given the 4Rs. It's almost like they've tried to make the new Highlander the size of the earlier generation 4Rs. I've been waiting for a new body style to come out that looks classic like ours but they really seem to want them bigger overall.

I think I'm coming to terms with the fact that it may take me that "few months" you mentioned to get the new trans put in. I have to get some serious cash together or spend that time paying down some debt I already have. This has been quite the learning experience. How to manage big car troubles and how to manage my credit in general.

 

[Stick Figure]

If you do want to go the new route, you can buy the part from an online dealer for cheaper

2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER Parts - Carson Toyota/Scion/Lexus Ultimate OEM Parts

Shipping will cost, but you will also save on tax. Warranty should be the same, and it would allow you to have an independent shop do the work if you find a good one.

Or use that price to bargain down your local dealer.

Used is a gamble. I just replaced the transmission on my MR2 and get to remove it again this weekend to go swap it with the yard because it has a bad second gear snychro (manual trans).

Check with a credit union to see if you can finance against your truck. Sucks to have to do that, but I wouldn't want to drive a time bomb either.

 

[gannonrt]

I agree with all the people that tell you to keep this vehicle. Even if you pay Toyota's $3800 estimate for a new transmission you still don't have car payments. Any new vehicle you would buy would be at least $300 a month. At that rate you'll pay as much in payments as you would the repair after one year and still have a few years left to continue paying. It sucks that you have this issue but hanging on to this vehicle is better for you financially if you can come up with the cash.

 

[GSPRunner]

Sucks about your predicament...but whos going to be the first T4R member to name a new sex move after "pink milkshake?"

 

[corohio1977]

Dude I feel your pain as I experienced, word for word, the EXACT situation in my '97; after 236.5k. My radiator/trans cooler went, I had it replaced and it seemingly was fine then it started slipping and now it's finally gone. Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of options in the East Lansing area, so I'm hoping I to get it rebuilt (either by a local shop OR the dealer can factory refurbished unit) as the idea of a used one is too much of a gamble for me.

 

[runnyrunnerton]

The transmission honey out there is a gamble as well. I wouldnt want it running through my new radiator or anything else. But if you have too you have too, they wouldnt sell it if it didnt help, but remember this. Your tranny wont activley repair, and you could be shoveling $25-$40 in the garbage on a liquid fix. I think the credit union is your answer. Dave R. would tell you to build an emergency fund, and cut the cards in half. Tell the BF to swap the tranny for you and get a new punch hole in his man card.
see man card here

 

[Doc2012]

I swamped my truck. As is to the headlights. Interrior flooded, my radio shot, ECU got wet, water in the Oil, transmission, the whole nine. got pulled to a friends house, washed off the ECU and blew it off with a compressor. Drove her the 180 miles back to base. Flushed the transmission. Filled up a 5gal bucket TWICE to get it all out. Haven't had a problem since.

Moral.. Flush the tranny, and drive her till she dies. Then, get a new tranny. I wouldn't dream of getting anything other than another 3rd gen Runner. Unless it was a '67 GT Shelby 500.....

Sucks about your predicament...but whos going to be the first T4R member to name a new sex move after "pink milkshake?"

Isn't that what you get when you blow inside your woman when she's on the rag???

 

[GSPRunner]

Isn't that what you get when you blow inside your woman when she's on the rag???

Would make sense, but I believe the original name for that is "The Strawberry Shortcake." lol.

 

[lcchik]

I feel your pain. I was in a similiar situation but dealing with a blown engine. Used, rebuilt, or new? My advice would be to look into a good used tranny from LKQ. They are a national used auto parts/salvage and can ship items to your mechanic. I decided to go used and shopped everywhere for a low mileage engine. I went with LKQ - best price, low miles, and great 6 mos warranty. The LKQ engine was immaculate...my BF was really impressed. He installed it - saved me about 4K in labor - and it is running great. I spent 1100 on the engine and 900 in new parts (TB, pump, radiator, tstat, etc.). Just a thought since your funds are tight.

 

[nvestor88]

What's the best preventative to avoid the "pink" milkshake?

 

[Rock_Rat]

What's the best preventative to avoid the "pink" milkshake?

• Replace original radiator with Denso or one from the dealer - ~ <$200
• IMHO - Only use Toyota 50/50 pre-mix. Stay away from Toyota red. Based on a conversation from a couple of the senior techs at Toyota, there's a higher failure rate on radiators with Toyota Red. (You can also use other coolant, but do your research before you go mixing different coolants together. I prefer Toyota 50/50)
• Only used distilled water IF you don't go with pre-mixed.
• Add this (new radiator) to your 100K maintenance program

Others will say bypass your radiator completely with a transmission cooler. Up to you. B&M 70268. (EDIT: This is the most preferred cooler. There are other brands out there.)

There are Lots, and I mean lots of threads on this very question. Do your research.

 

[tvpierce]

Flush the b'jesus out of it, and keep driving it. Expect it to fail in the next 6 months... and in the meantime, be on the lookout on Craigslist for someone parting out a 2001-2002.
These trannys have a reputation for going for hundreds of thousands of miles. I would have no problem installing a used/well maintained tranny with 250K miles on it.

Maybe it won't fail in 6 months, or a year, or 3 years -- hard to say. Flush it, drive it, and see what happens.

Good luck!