New Radiator to avoid pink milkshake

[freshley]

I'm looking to do some maint. on my ride this week and with 150,000 miles and all the stories of the milkshakes, I'm getting worried. It's not very expensive for a new aftermarket radiator which I figure should last another 150,000 miles. I was going to go with a cooler but I have to drain the radiator to install the timing belt and new water pump so why not just replace the whole thing. Anyone see a 2 row radiator for the 4runner? I've seen ones just like the factory ones and I've seen steel ones that are 2 row. Why are only the steel tank ones 2 row? I was never a fan of the plastic tanks but so far they've held up. Anyone have any insight on this?

Thanks!

 

[Pikeman]

I remember coming across some two row plastic tank ones a while back when doing my research but can't remember where. I am also looking at replacing my radiator as well. the plastic tanks will sometimes develop a leak along the gasket where they meet up with the core but usually not a big problem. I would still go with a cooler since you will still need to drain ATF to change out radiator.

 

[Elton H]

id rather spend the money on a real tranny cooler

 

[domstriker]

2 row, plastic. This is what I put on mine. You can usually get 20% by paying online and picking it up at the store.

Radiator by Ready-Rad - Part 43-1402 - Advance Auto Parts

 

[Ron Helmuth]

go with a Koyo

A1998 model online about $120 or so shipped. Fit my friends 01 Limited perfectly.

 

[COShadow]

I just put a Koyo in a couple of days ago. I talked to an experienced transmission guy who runs his own shop-- he strongly discourages bypassing the stock tranny cooler in the radiator.

Side Note: I'm running 10-15 degrees hotter w/ new radiator, cap, thermostat and hoses, as read by a scan gauge. I'm still in the normal temp range, but I'd like to drop it back down-- I'm still troubleshooting it.

 

[alp]

I just put a Koyo in a couple of days ago. I talked to an experienced transmission guy who runs his own shop-- he strongly discourages bypassing the stock tranny cooler in the radiator.

Side Note: I'm running 10-15 degrees hotter w/ new radiator, cap, thermostat and hoses, as read by a scan gauge. I'm still in the normal temp range, but I'd like to drop it back down-- I'm still troubleshooting it.

So, what the coolant temperature do you read on your SG now?
My scan gauge shows 200 - 207 range at 85-90 deg outside.

 

[freshley]

2 row or koyo

I understand the koyo a1998 is the best aftermarket one out there but isn't it still a 1 row just like the factory?

The 2 row from advance auto I'm not sure about. Haven't heard of that company before.

Anyone ever find a radiator that is the stock size but doesn't have the trans cooler in it? I think that's the ideal way to go. Then get a sep. tranny cooler and it's the best of both worlds!

 

[domstriker]

I just put a Koyo in a couple of days ago. I talked to an experienced transmission guy who runs his own shop-- he strongly discourages bypassing the stock tranny cooler in the radiator.

Side Note: I'm running 10-15 degrees hotter w/ new radiator, cap, thermostat and hoses, as read by a scan gauge. I'm still in the normal temp range, but I'd like to drop it back down-- I'm still troubleshooting it.

What was his reason?

 

[domstriker]

So, what the coolant temperature do you read on your SG now?
My scan gauge shows 200 - 207 range at 85-90 deg outside.

At those temps, mine runs 180-190 on level ground and highway speeds with just water in the rad.

Going up hills and stop and go will yield temps 190-210.

 

[XJeepguy]

Ya , leave us hanging or what LOL . What was his reason for saying that ?

I've spoken with two rad shops out here after reading about this issue and both have never had a 4Runner pink milkshake vehicle come in , yet .
Do any of you think it could be your local water prematurely corroding the rads out ? Is this happening all over or just in some parts of the country ?

Thanks

I just put a Koyo in a couple of days ago. I talked to an experienced transmission guy who runs his own shop-- he strongly discourages bypassing the stock tranny cooler in the radiator.

 

[GoFaSSter]

What was his reason?

A lot of transmission techs will discourage bypassing the internal trans cooler for heat issues. In the winter your temps can be too cold. Cold temperatures are hard on the transmission and pumps as well. The guys I know recommend external coolers still attached into the internal cooler. I am no expert, I am just giving the answers I have received before when asking. I know there are temp. bypasses on a lot of the external ones and I am not saying it makes sense, that is just what I have been told.

 

[Pikeman]

I understand the koyo a1998 is the best aftermarket one out there but isn't it still a 1 row just like the factory?

The 2 row from advance auto I'm not sure about. Haven't heard of that company before.

Anyone ever find a radiator that is the stock size but doesn't have the trans cooler in it? I think that's the ideal way to go. Then get a sep. tranny cooler and it's the best of both worlds!

Yes the 5 speed radiator is sans internal cooler and would make sense to be same size.

 

[Ron Helmuth]

use distilled water

local or tap water should not be used. Distilled water is common practice to be mixed with the Toyota red.

 

[COShadow]

Hey guys, didn't mean to leave you hanging, for some reason my login to this forum only works like 2% of the time.

Alp-- I'm getting a coolant temperature of about 198-204 (in 90s outside). This is within normal limits according to Toyota, but I was running in the 180s before I changed radiator, etc

Domstriker-- The guy I talked to said that the tranny fluid needs the controlled environment (temperature wise) that only the radiator can really provide with the large amount of heat transfer fluid that's in it. If you need it cooler, then add the Aux cooler. He says that the fluid mixing (milkshake) happens on all types of vehicles. He definitely thought it was a good idea to put a new radiator in as a preventative measure. I was on the fence about what to do, but I tend to agree with him about bypassing the radiator cooler. He also mentioned that Jeep Libertys have only external cooling (none in radiator) and that many of these trannys have crapped out after 70k.

 

[runrunner]

He also mentioned that Jeep Libertys have only external cooling (none in radiator) and that many of these trannys have crapped out after 70k.

Thats cause' its a Chrysler product :wink2:

The reputable tranny shop that I brain picked were supportive on bypassing the internal cooler so I think everyone will have their own opinion and is just another debatable topic.

 

[domstriker]

Thats cause' its a Chrysler product :wink2:

The reputable tranny shop that I brain picked were supportive on bypassing the internal cooler so I think everyone will have their own opinion and is just another debatable topic.

I'm having mixed feelings on my external cooler. I'm planning on creating a post on the matter after I do a couple of trips to bench mark previous trips with.

 

[COShadow]

Thats cause' its a Chrysler product :wink2:

The reputable tranny shop that I brain picked were supportive on bypassing the internal cooler so I think everyone will have their own opinion and is just another debatable topic.

I don't buy your first statement.

This issue could be arguable, I suppose. But there's is a reason why most vehicles are built with the in radiator cooler. I like the radiator cooler (heat exchanger) for cold weather situations as well as hot. With a new radiator, I'm not concerned about it failing with proper maintenance. I'll be adding an auxiliary cooler in series with the radiator cooler.

 

[zcruiser]

Well here in NC there isn't really such a thing as "cold weather conditions" so the external-only tranny cooler is a reasonable step against the pink milkshake... Adding a fan would be necessary if you're regularly driving in stop'n'go traffic.

Edit: Went to put on my 2nd B&M cooler on the SR5 (first one on the Ltd), and discovered that previous owner put a new radiator on. That combined with his story of having "rebuilt the transmission" right before I bought it makes me pretty sure he had the pink milkshake. So, instead of bypassing the radiator, this time I put the B&M in series. Driving around town afterward, the ATF got up to 185F, coolant temp was about 205F.

 

[daletehbest]

I'm going to get a new radiator tomorrow morning, hopefully it won't die between now and then, I opened up my radiator today after reading these stories and my fluid reeked of fish, I'm praying that there's no damage done.