Precursor to pink milkshake or paranoia?

[RunninInGA]

Shopping list looks good but I don't think you'll need 32 quarts of ATF. If you're doing the drain and fill method, you won;t get more than about 4 or 5 quarts out at a time, most of it will be in the torque converter. If you use t T-Tech machine, 16 quarts will be fine for a full flush. (maybe have 1 or 2 extra on hand for good measure, especially if you do add the cooler too.)

Drain and fill is what I would prefer to do for obvious reasons instead of dropping the pan. Do you think if I did this 4 or 5 times it would suffice? I know from previous vehicles, it took 6 drain/fill cycles to get to 99.xx% "new" fluid. That would also take out the FIPG/Right Stuff off the list (not like it really matters though in the grand scheme).

 

[RunninInGA]

I think the DIY flush is a good thing so I recommend it just as maintenance..
Dropping Pan And Flushing Transmission
But, I personally would not do a machine flush on my truck. Some people consider machine flushing as opening "Pandora's Box" (and I agree).

The tranny pump really pushes a lot of fluid through the tranny cooler - about a quart every few seconds. If there was a hole in there, it would mix the fluids quickly and you would see some warning signs (if not full-blown tranny failure). From what I can see, all you have is a little residue on the radiator.

I purchased on December 3, 2011. Previous owner, an older gentleman, had all fluids replaced with 100K service and t-belt / water pump service in March 2011. He drove it less than 5,000 miles during the period the service was done and my purchase (due to illness). As I've said, coolant and tranny fluid look damn near brand new.

Think I'm gonna try the drain / fill a hand full of times and have the current fluid tested by Blackstone, then I'll know for sure. Amended shopping list is below:

1 - New Koyo radiator - purchased fro GoPart.com
2 - Hayden external tranny cooler - purchased from Amazon
3 - 9 feet tranny hose
4 - 2 additional gallons pre-mixed coolant (already have 1/2 gallon)
5 - Drain Bolt Crush Washer (P/N 35178-30010)
6 -
7 - 24 quarts ATF
8 -

 

[RunninInGA]

Upon further inspection, I find this and some relief. Looks like the pink along the bottom seam is from a leak along the top passenger side of the radiator. Drips all the way down the vanes and pools at the bottom. Tranny fluid still looks good. Haven't seen the coolant in the radiator, however I have lost some in the overflow reservoir. I'm assuming the rad is pulling from the over flow res when it leaks below the neck of the opening. Gonna park it until I can get the new Koyo in.

 

[RunninInGA]

Tranny cooler arrived yesterday. Bought 3/8" hose (9 feet) and some supplies last night. Will buy the Yota pink coolant before my radiator arrives on Friday from Sacramento (go-part.com). I plan to flush the block with distilled water when I replace the radiator.

I've searched and can't find reference to a drain bolt in the block for coolant. Can anyone confirm or correct me?

 

[brian2sun]

There is a freeze plug on the passenger side somewhere, but I can't seem to find the pic right now. Although, most people just pull the t-stat out and call it good enough, and I agree.. unless the coolant is rusty or contaminated.

 

[RunninInGA]

Found pics of it last night before I went to bed. It's a tiny drain "valve" so to speak on the pass side buried under the exhaust manifold and above the A/C compressor. If I can see it, I'll drain it, otherwise......