"New" 1991. Would like input

[Aludew5]

1st of all, sorry moderators, but this is a repost from the "new member forum." I'm not sure if it will ever be answered there, and not really sure how fast this forum works now so sorry if the repost is an issue.

Hey guys,

just picked up a beater to start sharing the workload from my aging sports car.

It's a 1991 4rd "loaded" 4x4 auto. Its got a rebuilt head and new cooling system because it over heated last winter. New tires. Mechanic owned. A little rust on the rear quarters has started to develop. For the year and millage though it seems to be in great shape.

Any advice on the rust? just leave it alone? treat it with anything? spray paint? what?

Also, I have heard urban legends about changing fluid in automatic transmission. basically i've been told by many people that changing the fluid in older auto's will make them not shift as smoothly because the tranny gets "worn in" and "used to" the old fluid. Is there any support for this? and is changing the tranny fluid in my well worn in truck a good idea?

Planning on changing the diff fluids, tranny, engine oil, and flushing radiator next week weekend. This includes adding "waterwetter" to the radiator since overheating seems to be an issue with these. Good idea? Also, is it common to put lower temperature thermostat in these things? if so what temperature?

What else should i know about owning a 4runner of this age and millage? what should i check for/look for to ensure a happy relationship?

-Alex

 

[FubarGrn]

there are treatment products that you can apply to the rust that will either neutralize it, or seal it. Buy one quick, and get that rust handled before it eats your truck alive.

As far as the AT question, I'd seriously get a transmission shop to answer that, I've personally never heard of such nonsense as worn in fluid, and have always kept mine changed (as well as the filter).

You clearly have some form of underlying cooling problem, and water wetter isn't really the answer. Water wetter is usually reserved for vehicles that are used in extremely hot (desert!) environments, and/or do a LOT of towing/racing. Lowering your thermostat is another "Bandaid on broken leg" deal too (unless you like not ever having a heater again...). When you say "new cooling system" what all are you referring to? Something isn't working right...

 

[fourwd1]

Also, I have heard urban legends about changing fluid in automatic transmission. basically i've been told by many people that changing the fluid in older auto's will make them not shift as smoothly because the tranny gets "worn in" and "used to" the old fluid. Is there any support for this? and is changing the tranny fluid in my well worn in truck a good idea?

The first question is what does the fluid look like?
If it's bright re it's new.
If it's dark red it's worn (normal).
If it's brown it's burned, and may smell burned.
I'd go ahead and change it.
Just keep in mind, if there are any problems with the trans, new fluid is not going to help.

 

[Aludew5]

Cooling System

Truck has new thermostat, waterpump, and flushed radiator in the last 1000 miles, after engine rebuilt

 

[Aludew5]

and i agree that the tranny fluid urban legend sounds liek total bullshit but i've heard it from autozone employees at different stores and also random car guys talking at racetrack. 3 different random sources made me skeptic so wanted to see if anyone else had heard that. thanks!

 

[Aludew5]

oh, and what product should i use on the rust specifically? any suggestions? want to "neutralize it" without having to just cut it all out. it's very mild right now, just starting to bubble the paint on rear quarters above the wheels.

 

[FubarGrn]

Loctite makes a product called "naval jelly" you can google it, pretty decent stuff.

 

[KidVermicious]

oh, and what product should i use on the rust specifically? any suggestions? want to "neutralize it" without having to just cut it all out. it's very mild right now, just starting to bubble the paint on rear quarters above the wheels.

That rust probably isn't just under the bubbles...

 

[Aludew5]

Loctite makes a product called "naval jelly" you can google it, pretty decent stuff.

thanks for the input. I have used that stuff before years ago and do remember it working well. didn't know anyone else had heard of it or if they even still made it. hope they sell it at autozone!

 

[Aludew5]

Just talked to someone at valvoline to confirm the automatic tranny fluid issue. They said that if autotranny has had fluid in it for too long and it has broken up and burned down that this increases deposits and metal shavings floating around inside the tranny. When it's emptied, then things aren't the same size, position, etc has they have been "worn in." this can cause a leaky tranny, bad shifting, and failure.

They said if it's been regularly changed then there will never be this problem, so its best to check the fluid if possible before making the change and if it's really dark (meaning the fluid is broken down completely) there has already been irreversible damage and the tranny should basically be "left on it's own with its bad fluid."