NW 4Runners Immune to Pink Milkshake?

[ToyotaBrah]

From what I have read on here, it seems like the root cause of the pink milkshake issue is due to rust destroying the radiator, thus creating the mixture of coolant and trans fluid that's lethal to the transmission.

If this is the case, are 4Runners from the NW ( OR, WA, CA) not as susceptible to this problem?

I have a 4Runner with 211K bought from Seattle. The radiator on mine looks fine with no indications of rust, yet I still check the coolant and trans fluid condition any time I fill up. I'm more than likely going to still opt for the bypass using a trans cooler, but I am just curious more than anything.

 

[Brique]

It can be rust, or if the coolant gets to old and becomes acidic, or the metal in that particular batch of radiators wasn't up to spec or, or, or...

 

[mxer]

It's rust on the inside not outside. It's a closed system so I fail to see how geographic location matters.

 

[Quadsbc]

Or it's the plastic end caps of the radiator expanding and contracting at a different rate than the aluminum. A temperature swing of 150 degrees will cause more problems than a swing of 60 degrees. Also aluminum doses not rust, so rule that out. Either way, care to play Russian roulette with it?

 

[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

From what I have read on here, it seems like the root cause of the pink milkshake issue is due to rust destroying the radiator, thus creating the mixture of coolant and trans fluid that's lethal to the transmission.

If this is the case, are 4Runners from the NW ( OR, WA, CA) not as susceptible to this problem?

I have a 4Runner with 211K bought from Seattle. The radiator on mine looks fine with no indications of rust, yet I still check the coolant and trans fluid condition any time I fill up. I'm more than likely going to still opt for the bypass using a trans cooler, but I am just curious more than anything.

I believe the mixture happens internally, within the radiator not externally, therefore environment shouldn't be a factor. I believe the problem occurs in a poorly maintained cooling system ie not flushing/changing the coolant, and using distilled water.

 

[pluton]

Replace the radiator: they're cheap, and one person can do the job---working very slowly---in two hours. Then look at an external trans cooler if you think you'll keep it a long time.

 

[Irhmsd]

Put in an external trans cooler for $100 and never worry about it again. An ounce of prevention......

 

[ToyotaBrah]

Either way, care to play Russian roulette with it?

I believe the mixture happens internally, within the radiator not externally, therefore environment shouldn't be a factor. I believe the problem occurs in a poorly maintained cooling system ie not flushing/changing the coolant, and using distilled water.

Ah, makes sense. Yeah, I had assumed the external environment had some role, but I was wrong. Thanks for the reply.