Radiator/Trans/Milkshake question W/ pics ! please help

[murdered_3rdgen]

so I just picked up a 97 limited the other day.
When I was checking out the truck I checked trans dipstick and it looked pretty dark red kind of oily but not pink or frothy.
I opened the radiator cap last night when the truck was cold and I see this(refer to photos)
I also swabbed the trans dipstick onto a white paper towel to show color(see photos)

I don't think the actual color of the coolant looks bad although i've never really dealt with toyota red.. but the thing that's concerning me is all the chunky, rusty looking crud around the cap.. should I be worried ? looks like the radiator isn't stock (how can I tell it's stock?)

Is the color on the paper towel ok ?

 

[wrench.n.wheel]

Looks like there might've been little to no actual coolant in the radiator and it was mostly distilled water. I'm not an expert on corrosion or the longterm effects of it, but a good flush of that radiator and a refill of Toyota pink/Red coolant is the way to go.

If you want to go the extra mile, get a new radiator, its like $105 from Amazon. Be sure to give it a once over before you install, reviews state that the packaging is poor.

https://www.amazon.com/Denso-221-05...1&refRID=AE697CMEFE4BYW6C8SSQ#customerReviews

part number for radiator 16410-AZ011, you have to buy a cap as well
16401-20353

 

[MSRP.]

Doesn't look like pink milkshake.

Refer to google for what it does look like:
https://www.google.ca/search?q=toyo...hZLaAhXhx4MKHe_KC5sQ_AUICigB&biw=1542&bih=474

 

[spartacus]

Is truck running normal no leaks, not over heating then you have some time but rust is eventually going to lead to holes thus leaks. Technically, the mineral deposits that accumulate in your radiator can, over time, cause the component to fail. Once enough of those mineral by-products and deposits collect in your radiator, the restricted coolant flow makes it harder for your radiator to cool those components which appear to be functioning normally. you can flush it with radiator flush products but its a temp fix. Replacing the radiator is simple you can find writeups and youtube. price of oem is pretty decent, after market koyo is good. To avoid pink milk shake external cooler is a must. lots of information on this subject on this forum just look it up.

 

[phattyduck]

Definitely NOT a pink milkshake. The pink milkshake looks like a strawberry milkshake....

Your coolant looks like an unholy mix of Toyota red that is very old and some "universal" yellow or green that is also very old. Time to drain, flush with distilled water and refill with the correct stuff... And consider getting a new radiator, since it looks like your cooling system was neglected (neglected cooling systems allow corrosion, which is how the pink milkshake happens!).

Here is a pic of what new "Pink" and new "Red" coolant look like:

-Charlie

 

[murdered_3rdgen]

Is truck running normal no leaks, not over heating then you have some time but rust is eventually going to lead to holes thus leaks. Technically, the mineral deposits that accumulate in your radiator can, over time, cause the component to fail. Once enough of those mineral by-products and deposits collect in your radiator, the restricted coolant flow makes it harder for your radiator to cool those components which appear to be functioning normally. you can flush it with radiator flush products but its a temp fix. Replacing the radiator is simple you can find writeups and youtube. price of oem is pretty decent, after market koyo is good. To avoid pink milk shake external cooler is a must. lots of information on this subject on this forum just look it up.

Yes it's running great. Been driving it everywhere. Leaks a little oil but no coolant or trans. Doesn't overheat even slightly.

I understand this info is all over the place but, if I just replace the radiator will I be good ? I don't mind spending 100-200 on getting a new radiator. But I'm not sure I really want to do the cooler if a new radiator will be just fine. I'm looking into the koyo unit..

 

[thegipper]

It doesn't look like you are currently experiencing a pink milk shake but.....

My 97 got a pink milk shake a few years ago when it was my brothers. He replaced the radiator, flushed the coolant and flushed the transmission A TON. Like gallons upon gallons of fresh water for the cooling system and something like 8 gallons of ATF for the tranny.

Even after he did that, the new radiator developed some chunky goopy crap over time that looks very similar to your picture.

I'm not saying for sure your truck got a pink milk shake, just giving you my honest take on it.

Your transmission fluid looks terrible, so does your coolant. I would drain your cooling system and flush it several times (I did mine 5 times before I was happy). Drain it again and install a new radiator (not expensive at all).

I would then do a quart by quart "flush" of your transmission fluid. Tim/Sean have a video on exactly how to do it. You essentially pump out a quart, shut it off, fill a quart and repeat like 12 times.

Good luck

 

[alumarine]

Yes it's running great. Been driving it everywhere. Leaks a little oil but no coolant or trans. Doesn't overheat even slightly.

I understand this info is all over the place but, if I just replace the radiator will I be good ? I don't mind spending 100-200 on getting a new radiator. But I'm not sure I really want to do the cooler if a new radiator will be just fine. I'm looking into the koyo unit..

If you replace the rad you won't have to worry about the cooler.

 

[T4R2014]

I think the ATF doesn't look that bad, but change it. Start flushing your cooling system and get a new radiator in.

 

[Sparman]

If you replace the rad you won't have to worry about the cooler.

I agree. Get a new radiator and play it safe. It's a good preventative measure since you don't know the history of your "new" truck.

Spend the money and get Denso or Toyota.

 

[murdered_3rdgen]

I agree. Get a new radiator and play it safe. It's a good preventative measure since you don't know the history of your "new" truck.

Spend the money and get Denso or Toyota.

Koyo isn't good ? I wanted to go with that one.

 

[thegipper]

Koyo is fine also...

 

[spartacus]

Yes it's running great. Been driving it everywhere. Leaks a little oil but no coolant or trans. Doesn't overheat even slightly.

I understand this info is all over the place but, if I just replace the radiator will I be good ? I don't mind spending 100-200 on getting a new radiator. But I'm not sure I really want to do the cooler if a new radiator will be just fine. I'm looking into the koyo unit..

I think a new radiator and you'll be fine.
I have 386,000 mies on my 2000 sr5. I have never had a external cooler. Have replaced the radiator once but I flush it annually and use zerex red car coolant. I also get my transmission flushed every 30,000 miles. plus I look at all the fluids closely quite often.