As everybody knows I went through the strawberry milkshake syndrome. I have literally been going through 32 quarts of ATF fluid and still and experiencing the milkshake. So my question is how much does it take in order to be finally done? Is there not a set number? Or you just keep going until it comes out the way it looks like it's going in? Because I got the new trans filter gasket a new radiator and I am on my 32nd qt and I'm coming from Walmart as I say this with three more jugs of ATF fluid and that is gallon jokes
How much does it take?
- Thread starter josh3rd
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cl4Rk
Member
Are you doing drain & fills or the DIY flush?
Either way, it isn’t done until the fluid leaving the system looks new.
Someone can correct me if I’m wrong, but I’ve been under the impression that once the strawberry milkshake, the transmission will need rebuilding or replacing.
It happened with my ‘71 El Camino turbo 350 years ago, and the milkshake was so bad that the transmission shop had to use another core to rebuild. Maybe they actually just didn’t want to go though the process of the cleaning of mine before rebuild, but the story they gave me was that it was so gunked up with milkshake, that even my original core wasn’t salvageable. :noidea:
It happened with my ‘71 El Camino turbo 350 years ago, and the milkshake was so bad that the transmission shop had to use another core to rebuild. Maybe they actually just didn’t want to go though the process of the cleaning of mine before rebuild, but the story they gave me was that it was so gunked up with milkshake, that even my original core wasn’t salvageable. :noidea:
cl4Rk
Member
This was also my understanding. I guess I had assumed OP noticed it right away (immediately) and didn't drive it at all (towed it home). But I've never dealt with the milkshake personally, so I really don't know if you can catch it in time or not...
[MENTION=333854]josh3rd[/MENTION], check on this before doing buying any more ATF I guess. I'm kinda thinking [MENTION=521658]Ted02[/MENTION] is right, unfortunately. Anyone else dealt with the milkshake firsthand?
:/
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cl4Rk
Member
OK I just read your original thread: The milkshake syndrome
Looks like you're doing the DIY flush.
The way I see it, a couple options at this point include:
1. Keep flushing until it looks like new ATF.
2. Get a transmission shop to determine if your core is even salvageable.
Good luck [MENTION=333854]josh3rd[/MENTION]
Looks like you're doing the DIY flush.
The way I see it, a couple options at this point include:
1. Keep flushing until it looks like new ATF.
2. Get a transmission shop to determine if your core is even salvageable.
Good luck [MENTION=333854]josh3rd[/MENTION]
cl4Rk
Member
I mean if you've already pushed 8 gallons through your system, what's another couple gallons just to see if you can get it looking like new? If you can get the ATF looking new, and then like [MENTION=139000]phattyduck[/MENTION] suggested, continue to do frequent drain & fills, then I would guess you'll probably know in a couple thousand miles if you're still in good shape?
Good luck.
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my former 4runner had the milkshake, IM pretty sure. But cant really say.
B4 I bought it, it went to the dealer with drivability issues.....poor shifting. The toyota dealer replaced the radiator and according to paperwork, did 2 tranny flushes and a filter change at the same time. To me that sounds like milkshake. That person traded it shortly after and the next owner kept it for about 10k traded bacak to same dealer, and then I bought it from the dealer who said nothing about it....typical
That was about 15k b4 I bought it and at that point had 140k on the odometer. After I bought it, and found out about it, ( had a different toyota dealer run the vin for service records, did not show on carfax) Boy was I stressed. The fluid looked good but I did 2 more drain and fill as well as dropped the pan and cleaned it all. I then did a real flush after seeing timmys video again after about 5k and this time switched to synthetic . I never had an issue with it. i did run a cooler and a remote filter ( magnafine) and about 30k later flushed again and replaced the radiator.. I put about 70k on it b4 I totaled it and never had a problem. It was not an easy 70k miles. So that means about 85k since the dealer fixed "drivability issue"
I think I have read others who have been lucky if caught early..
Good luck to you, hope it turns out well.....oh and dont do a power flush, do the " timmy " flush
B4 I bought it, it went to the dealer with drivability issues.....poor shifting. The toyota dealer replaced the radiator and according to paperwork, did 2 tranny flushes and a filter change at the same time. To me that sounds like milkshake. That person traded it shortly after and the next owner kept it for about 10k traded bacak to same dealer, and then I bought it from the dealer who said nothing about it....typical
That was about 15k b4 I bought it and at that point had 140k on the odometer. After I bought it, and found out about it, ( had a different toyota dealer run the vin for service records, did not show on carfax) Boy was I stressed. The fluid looked good but I did 2 more drain and fill as well as dropped the pan and cleaned it all. I then did a real flush after seeing timmys video again after about 5k and this time switched to synthetic . I never had an issue with it. i did run a cooler and a remote filter ( magnafine) and about 30k later flushed again and replaced the radiator.. I put about 70k on it b4 I totaled it and never had a problem. It was not an easy 70k miles. So that means about 85k since the dealer fixed "drivability issue"
I think I have read others who have been lucky if caught early..
Good luck to you, hope it turns out well.....oh and dont do a power flush, do the " timmy " flush
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I plan on doing the trans filter today. Now let's just say after I replace the filter and the trans pan how much more fluid would I need to make it right after that. That is to say I'm satisfied how the fluid is looking now I still want to change the filter so all in all if I'm satisfied with what it looks like now and then I change the filter and gasket how many courts will it take to put it back to normalcy?
cl4Rk
Member
I think you would just measure how much fluid drains when you drop the pan, and add the same amount of new ATF back in when you've buttoned it all up.
IIRC, it's about 5-6 quarts?
I did what [MENTION=124615]3bears[/MENTION] did, and added an external ATF cooler (I ran mine in series rather than bypass since I have a newer radiator) and an in-line Magnefine filter on the return line after the cooler.
Links:
B&M 70264 SuperCooler
Magnefine Filter
[MENTION=120071]mtbtim[/MENTION] 's ATF DIY flush: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RumPXivBlk8
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milkshake
My son's 2000 4Runner (260K) overheated. Checked both dipsticks yuk.
Towed to local dealer did what they called a fluid exchange three times on the trans. Flushed the engine twice. Trans cooler cracked in radiator so replaced that as well. That was about a year and half ago has about 280k now knock on wood no problems.
The dealer did give us an option to have an external cooler installed and not use the internal one but the radiator was original so we went with a new OEM.
My son's 2000 4Runner (260K) overheated. Checked both dipsticks yuk.
Towed to local dealer did what they called a fluid exchange three times on the trans. Flushed the engine twice. Trans cooler cracked in radiator so replaced that as well. That was about a year and half ago has about 280k now knock on wood no problems.
The dealer did give us an option to have an external cooler installed and not use the internal one but the radiator was original so we went with a new OEM.