'Strawberry Milkshake' Repair Items

[Barrie4Runner]

The worst has happened...

Just so I don't get fleeced at the local trans. shop, what needs to be replaced after this type of failure (this is assuming the worst, i.e. I did not stop in time to tow, replace rad, flush, etc, and transmission is effed).

Is it just my automatic transmission and new rad that need to be replaced? (Along with an external cooler, of course)

Are there any other parts of the drivetrain that need to be replaced (e.g. torque converter)?

One last question...I've heard that a rebuild is more costly than dropping in a used transmission. Does anyone have any experience in terms of durability after a rebuild vs. used transmission?

I've found a couple used trans. nearby, one for $650, one for $1000.

Thanks.

 

[nilson]

Have you tried simply flushing the transmission and replacing the radiator? Much cheaper than replacing it; chances are it will work fine.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Have you tried simply flushing the transmission and replacing the radiator? Much cheaper than replacing it; chances are it will work fine.

Not so much. Chances are you're f*cked. Should be able to get a good used trans for around $500-$600. Not sure if you'll need a new converter, should be able to flush it once it's unbolted.

 

[Barrie4Runner]

It doesn't look like the 'milkshake'

So after getting the t4r into a tranny shop, it looks like it's not the strawberry milkshake. There's no pinkish milkshake fluid in the rad or the tranny fluid.

But the transmission fluid is very dark and burned.

Any other ideas what could be wrong?

Thanks

 

[PitbullRescuer]

^ Yes. Could just be time for a trans flush. Has the fluid ever been changed? How many miles/kilometers are on your 4Runner?

 

[Barrie4Runner]

^ Yes. Could just be time for a trans flush. Has the fluid ever been changed? How many miles/kilometers are on your 4Runner?

I've only had the 4Runner for about 3 months and have not had the trans. flushed yet. Previous owner had no info about this either, leading me to think it hasn't been done in a a while, if at all. The trans. fluid was a nice color when I first bought the truck and smelled fine.

There are about 155000 miles on it.

Are you saying that even though my transmission was already slipping and fluid was scorched, I may just need a trans. flush?

 

[PitbullRescuer]

It's possible. There could be more to it also. But I'd be willing to gamble on the flush and cleaning the filter before I was to tear into the trans and start dropping serious money on it.

 

[Barrie4Runner]

Which trans do I need? from 5/99 or thru 6/99?

It's possible. There could be more to it also. But I'd be willing to gamble on the flush and cleaning the filter before I was to tear into the trans and start dropping serious money on it.

So I met with the trans. shop owner and he told me that the trans. is toast, likely from a failed torque converter (TC) or TC solenoid. They said they'll install a used tranny for about $600 labour, so I just need to find a decent used one. I have had lots of good recommendations about this trans. guy and talked with him for about 45 minutes, so he seems pretty sure of the prob and I trust him.

In my search on car-part.com, I noticed that there are 2 search options for 99 auto trans:

1) "from 5/99"
2) "thru 6/99"

From your experience, does it make a difference which tranny I use?

Apparently, the trans shop checked and my truck was manufactured in 8/99.

Thanks again for all the help!