Help with possible purchase

[jreask]

I am looking at a 2000 SR5 4x4 with 140K on it. The owner says
The radiator was replaced recently because it was cracked.
The truck did overheat. Does this mean that the tranny fluid
And coolant mixed just because it overheated? Is this always
the case if the radiator is leaking? Also what else should I look
for to determine if the milkshake has indeed happened ?
Thanks in advance.

JR

 

[JT3HN86R]

anyone have any ideas? I don't think just because it overheated that the transmission fluid would mix with the coolant, but I am no mechanic.
Perhaps another one of the more mechanical minded members could help with this.

 

[econhonda]

I am looking at a 2000 SR5 4x4 with 140K on it. The owner says
The radiator was replaced recently because it was cracked.
The truck did overheat. Does this mean that the tranny fluid
And coolant mixed just because it overheated? Is this always
the case if the radiator is leaking? Also what else should I look
for to determine if the milkshake has indeed happened ?
Thanks in advance.

JR

If it were me, I would probably assume the milkshake happened. It may not have, but I would treat the situation as if it had.

 

[MAD 69]

It probably did happen if the radiator cracked, I had the same thing happen last summer while driving a '98 Camry - it has the same sh!tty plastic top rad as the 4Runner, I got a new rad, waterpump and flushed the system and the car never ran the same again. There was no apparent sign of the milkshake but damage was done non the less.

If I were you I would pass on this 4Runner, there are plenty of them out there that are in decent shape - keep looking.

 

[JT3HN86R]

It probably did happen if the radiator cracked, I had the same thing happen last summer while driving a '98 Camry - it has the same sh!tty plastic top rad as the 4Runner, I got a new rad, waterpump and flushed the system and the car never ran the same again. There was no apparent sign of the milkshake but damage was done non the less.

If I were you I would pass on this 4Runner, there are plenty of them out there that are in decent shape - keep looking.

Wouldn't the hole have to be in the bottom of the radiator where the tranny lines enter and exit? I don't know too much about it. Need help from someone with some mechanical expertise I guess. HELP !!!!!!!!

 

[brian2sun]

The milkshake thing aside, I would assume the heads took some damage when it overheated. Even if they didn't, you have to assume the worst when purchasing a vehicle that had/has known issues. I would pay for the truck with the expectation of doing engine and/or tranny work in the not-so-distant future. Pay accordingly or pass on it.

 

[JT3HN86R]

The owner says that the TEMP gauge wasn;t working and he did not notice it overheat until the CEL and the VSC light came on. When he pulled into the repair shop, they lifted the hood and saw the coolant/steam coming out from under the hood. I just wonder how long it overheated and how much damage was done, if any.

Thanks for the responses.

 

[8sm]

The owner has been forthcoming with the overheating issue. Know the consequences of heat on the engine could result in costly repairs sooner than later. If you're able to do the repairs yourself, the runner has everything you want then it could be a great deal if purchased right.

Good Luck......regards 8sm

 

[PitbullRescuer]

How long ago did it overheat on him? Did he just fix and is now selling it or did it happen a while ago and he's been driving problem free since? If it just happened, pass on it. If it happened a while ago it's probably worth looking at a little harder.