Question about flushing radiator

[mgcorreia]

I have a 1997 toyota 4runner with manual transmission, 4cyl, and about 212k miles.

I recently noticed some rusty powder on my coolant reserve container and decided to replace the radiator and do a coolant flush of the system. What is the best way to flush it out? I've seen people do this 2 ways. One way is to take the petcock off the radiator and run hosewater through it until the heater core opens and the water runs clear. I tried this method and can get the water looking crystal clear. However, another way i've seen radiators getting flushed is to close off the petcock on the radiator and fill it up with clear hose water, run for 10 mins and then drain. I've tried this dozens of times and the water always runs out looking orangish from the built up corrosion in the system. My question is, will i ever be able to see the water flow out clear after running it this second way with the petcock closed? I am trying the prestone super flush and hope that fixes it up by driving around for 3 days with the solution in the radiator. Here is a link to the pics of the corrosion:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/165649-corrosion-coolant-reservoir.html#post1664767

2nd question i had was I am aware that this may have resulted in a "pink milkshake" in my transmission fluid. How do you check the transmission fluid on a manaual 4runner? there is no dipstick under the hood. Thanks!

 

[Ed_C]

2nd question i had was I am aware that this may have resulted in a "pink milkshake" in my transmission fluid. How do you check the transmission fluid on a manaual 4runner? there is no dipstick under the hood. Thanks!

Milkshakes only happen to automatic transmission equipped T4Rs.

 

[TheDurk]

Well, I am not generally a fan of running miscellaneous hose water through well-maintained engines, but your case may call for more extreme measures. I'd go ahead and flush each major component separately. This means removing the thermostat and flushing from the top hose with the bottom hose off and block drain open. Then close each one alternately until both run clear. Next, flush the radiator (if not being replaced) going in the cap hole with lower hose off. Then flush heater core through its hoses. Go in one side and out the other, then reverse. Finally, do the rear core if so equipped the same way.

After you get everything running clear, put it all back together and then try the fill, run engine and drain method. If you get clear, do a final fill with distilled, run and drain. Maybe twice. Then fill with coolant and distilled 50/50. I add Toyota Red coolant first and then the distilled as needed to fill.

At the very least, you will know which component is providing the crud. Hopefully it is not the engine.

And yeah, we stick-shifters are immune from the strawberry milkshake issue. But I would change your trans, T/C, both diffs and brake and clutch fluid. If your coolant is this neglected, you can bet the others are, too. I am assuming you are not the original owner.

 

[mgcorreia]

yeah i only have owned the car for the past 10k miles. I finally got the water running out of the radiator clear, took about 20+ flush and fills and i ran the prestone super flush through it for a week.

How do you change/check the transmission fluid on a 4runner 4cyl manual transmission? I dont see a dipstick for it.

 

[TheDurk]

yeah i only have owned the car for the past 10k miles. I finally got the water running out of the radiator clear, took about 20+ flush and fills and i ran the prestone super flush through it for a week.

How do you change/check the transmission fluid on a 4runner 4cyl manual transmission? I dont see a dipstick for it.

Five dipsticks for the 5-speeds come pre-attached to your hand. Use any one of them and insert into the fill hole. Fluid should come up to the bottom of fill hole.

To change, remove fill plug first, ALWAYS!! Remove drain plug and drain. Replace plug and fill (I use Redline MT-90) until fluid comes out fill hole. Buy new plug seals first. A fluid pump is a big help. I always do it on a warm transmission.

 

[mgcorreia]

I assume there is a transmission fluid filter in there somewhere as well, right?

 

[JayRolla]

Manuals use gear oil. Not fluid. No filter to change. Best way I have found is flush out as much possible with distilled water, fill, run, drain about 5 times. If you can and its warm enough just run distilled water everyday, drain and refill everynight for awhile till its clean. Only way I found to get it all out.