I've been jinxed !!!

[jc1kz]

Okay guys took the T4R in for regular routine service, oil change/tire balance & rotation/checked all fluids etc etc etc....everything is really good, antifreeze is good and all...then the guys comes over to me and says can I please step over the service bay for a monment....the tires are off and the 4runner is on the rack....the service tech proceeds to tell me the tires are in good shape the front rotors are great drums good also, and front and rear brakes are good then he shows me the skid plate and says see the antifreeze water stains? and points to the radiator and shows me some moisture/wet areas and says your rad is starting to go....I'm like wait a minute, thats not water it's oily... and it does not smell like hot antifreeze...
and I have never seem wet antifreeze spots or oil stains under my T4R ever in the garage... then tells me the two fluids are in the same rad, so I tell him forget a-bout it!

Now my question to you guys is, is the trans fluid and antifreeze fluid in the same rad???? since when? I can replace the rad myself, but how about the tranny fluid?
I can pinch off the hoses for the tranny, and replace the rad hoses and then top of the tranny fluid if any loss, and put in new rad freeze, but really trans and antifreeze fluid in same rad??? When did the world change? where am I?
and now I'm looking for a rad and I'm seeing that only the '01 and '02 are the same??? REALLY???

 

[shootmymime]

yes they are both connected, but the fluids do not come in contact with one another due to being in separate veins and passages inside the rad.

 

[Supergleep]

Read the post on 'strawberry milkshake' issues from Rip's awesome buyer's guide here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/82033-3rd-gen-4runner-buyer-s-guide.html#post706218

 

[Doc2012]

The tech said the fluids were good? So the radiator fluid is radiator fluid and he trans is tranny fluid?

If this is the case, you're lucky. There is a chance the oily water is just that. As long as you're not over heating, maybe someone just sucks at oil changes. Or there was a leaky valve cover that it on the rad some how.

Best bet is to get a tranny cooler, and a aftermarket rad.

 

[jc1kz]

Yeah so far no over heating/no mixed fluids/nothing just oily water at the bottom of the rad...and yeah I'm now looking for a trans cooler and I've got install instruction two sets actually, reading to see which is better/fastest/and easiest to do....probably start it this weekend...any ideas/suggestions?

 

[Doc2012]

I'm running a tranny cooler from VatoZone. Been running it for almost two years now with no problems.

As far as Rad, I haven't changed mine. Don't see the need to right now. Not gonna get the milkshake, so I figure when the rad shits the bed, then I'll change it.

I'll probably just go with a VatoZone Rad for that too. Don't need anything more since I have the tranny cooler.

Just my .01....

 

[Forrrrest]

Most after market radiators come with a tranny cooler. So if you're going to get a new radiator there is no point in buying a trans cooler also. I just bought a denso radiator for 125 out the door. You can find them cheap but you have to know some people.