Pink milkshake question

jay1981

jay1981

New member
I have a 2000 t4r with 108,000 miles, and I've been reading posts about the "pink milkshake." My question is, is there an average mileage it usually happens at, or is it more random? I don't know if my radiator was ever replaced, but it appears to be in excellent shape, no corrosion, basically looks like new. Now I have thought about going with only an external cooler as some of you have done, but I have been advised by a couple people that may not be a good idea since the internal cooler also warms the tranny fluid in the winter and the external cooler doesn't. I'm thinking I'll just replace the radiator before the pink milkshake strikes, but I don't want to replace it if its still good for a while. Looking for some input of what to do. Thanks
 
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Starts to be a concern at 9-10 years of age for the truck.

I would replace the radiator now. Better to have done so and not need it than to have not done so and need it.
 
I talked to a mechanic friend who said maintain it, drain & fill on schedule and no problems. If needed just replace with a new one & should be good for another 100k.
 
Sorry for jumping on your post jay1981 but I was about to post a very simillar question and I dont want to start another post, hopefully you dont mind, I just purchased a 1998 SR5 with 180000 miles on it a couple weeks ago. The only issue so far is the CEL come on from time to time (im waiting for my scanner to come in this week so check the code) but other than that, no problems what so ever. BUT since I read about the "milkshake" I called the previous owner and he says he has never done a flush and he never replaced the radiator :( so I checked the liquid in the recerve tank and it look lightly red and is super clear I can even see the bottom of the tank, but now I really concerned that its a sign of milkshake so, no if, ands or buts Im ordering the tranny cooler today but Im wondering if there is a way other than flushing the tranny to see if my 4R is a victim of the strawberry milkshake problem. And lastly, most of the pic I seen on the forum dont have an oil filter on the new cooler set up. what are the recomendations on that?
 
i would just replace it if your worried about it, its an easy process, no special tools required, there used to be a nice write up on how to do it but i cant seem to find it, its an easy process, most difficult part is dealing with the draining fluid
 
Yeah, if your tranny is inoperable or sluggish with gears, youve got one. Just have the dealer to a flush and install a new radiator. Or get a tranny cooler. Either way, be sure to do a flush, and soon.
 
4-Ripcord said:
Yeah, if your tranny is inoperable or sluggish with gears, youve got one. Just have the dealer to a flush and install a new radiator. Or get a tranny cooler. Either way, be sure to do a flush, and soon.
Click to expand...

Thats the point, my tranny doesnt seem to have any issues, it shifts perfectly both at low and high speed....
 
Mine has 152k on it and no milkshake yet. I'm planning on changing my aging radiator ASAP though.

Carlos- Is it possible that you just have purple antifreeze in there?
 
My point is, you would know if you had a milkshake. Its one of those things that just hits all of the sudden and stops you in your tracks. Not just some harmelss mixing of fluids.
 
4-Ripcord said:
My point is, you would know if you had a milkshake. Its one of those things that just hits all of the sudden and stops you in your tracks. Not just some harmelss mixing of fluids.
Click to expand...

I got you now. That gives me some peace of mind, thanks. I just ordered the B&M 70268 SuperCooler Automatic Transmission Cooler from amazon, hope to get it soon..
 
carlos.lucero28 said:
I got you now. That gives me some peace of mind, thanks. I just ordered the B&M 70268 SuperCooler Automatic Transmission Cooler from amazon, hope to get it soon..
Click to expand...

Good stuff. I just did a transmission flush and 70268 install the other week on my runner.
Follow this write-up: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...oler-transmission-cooler-install-3rd-gen.html

It turned out to be pretty simple. Just take off the old rubber transmission lines from the metal lines that run from the transmission (right under the fan). Attach the cooler in front of the radiator with the included zip-ties. Then, attach new rubber lines to run from the metal transmission lines to the new cooler and back.

And do the flush somewhere in the middle of that.
 
I picked up a used 98 4runner late last summer. I was worried about the "pink milkshake", so I just replaced the radiator,hoses,thermostat--all for under $200.00. I figured best to do it before something more expensive broke.
 
Did you have the fluids changed too? I only ask because the dealer charges $80 for tranny service, $150 for new radiator, $$/hour for labor. If so you got a great deal.

And good job on the preventative maintenance! :trophy:
 
4-Ripcord said:
Good stuff. I just did a transmission flush and 70268 install the other week on my runner.
Follow this write-up: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...oler-transmission-cooler-install-3rd-gen.html

It turned out to be pretty simple. Just take off the old rubber transmission lines from the metal lines that run from the transmission (right under the fan). Attach the cooler in front of the radiator with the included zip-ties. Then, attach new rubber lines to run from the metal transmission lines to the new cooler and back.

And do the flush somewhere in the middle of that.
Click to expand...

Wow, great write-up from Bigfishallday!!!!! sure makes it look easy!!!
 
Not trying to throw water on the fire here but if you are going to add the one radiator its probably just as easy to replace the entire radiator and then you won't have to worry about it ever long as you do the regular maint w/ a flush and fill. It's a lack of regular mainteance that leads to the rust through and then pink milkshake. Just say'n
 
my 98 fell victim to the pink milkshake right around 140k. Had no idea what happened, just saw a ton of delicious looking fluid on the ground with no acceleration. Was told my radiator blew so I had that replaced. around 145k, 1st gear stopped working while towing my boat and slowly got worse after a 3 hour drive home from the beach. I traded it in the next day for my 06. Had I known about this common problem before hand and done preventative maintenance for it, I would probably still have my 98. I'm happy with my 06 but will definitely get around to installing my cooler now that ive seen this....
 
carlos.lucero28 said:
Sorry for jumping on your post jay1981 but I was about to post a very simillar question and I dont want to start another post, hopefully you dont mind, I just purchased a 1998 SR5 with 180000 miles on it a couple weeks ago. The only issue so far is the CEL come on from time to time (im waiting for my scanner to come in this week so check the code) but other than that, no problems what so ever. BUT since I read about the "milkshake" I called the previous owner and he says he has never done a flush and he never replaced the radiator :( so I checked the liquid in the recerve tank and it look lightly red and is super clear I can even see the bottom of the tank, but now I really concerned that its a sign of milkshake so, no if, ands or buts Im ordering the tranny cooler today but Im wondering if there is a way other than flushing the tranny to see if my 4R is a victim of the strawberry milkshake problem. And lastly, most of the pic I seen on the forum dont have an oil filter on the new cooler set up. what are the recomendations on that?
Click to expand...

Think that slight red color is probably toyota red coolant but as long as it doesnt look like this then I think you're ok for now.
pink milkshake.jpg
 

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