strawberry milkshake - help

[KROCK]

need advice - have 99 runner auto trans - 160K wife was driving and moving forward wdnt kick in for a minute - then she brought it home I noticed leaking (red fluid) then saw wheel bay soaked, coolant filled with red what I've heard darker strawberry shake type fluid. Now dreading the 7am visit after towing to mechanic tomorrow am. is this the tranny lines cracking? what can I expect to be told and what costs am I looking at? bummed.

 

[Max Blast]

Your tranny cooler which is part of the radiator may have ruptured and coolant has gotten into the transmission, thereby the milkshake. It is a known weak point and has happened to many others.
You can try a complete tranny flush but precedence is that the tranny will fail completely. Worst case you are in for the cost of a new transmission, radiator and coolant flush plus install costs. Search "pink milkshake" for stories of misfortune.

 

[Sig220]

Looks like Max has you covered, sorry it couldn't be better news:redbrick:

 

[KROCK]

thanks - rad appears to be filed with red fluid too - only the front left wheel bay, and coolant cannister - is it for certain coolant would have made its way back into tranny? and any advice on worst case scenario costs or best approach with mechanic?

 

[RC57]

Pull the dipstick out and look at the tranny fluid. If antifreeze is mixed with the ATF it will have a milky (vs clear red) appearance.