Strawberry milkshake...Worth fixing tranny?

[HiLife]

Ouch!... ok im changing my oem rad first thing tomorrow.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/82033-3rd-gen-4runner-buyers-guide.html

Fixes/ How to avoid:
Except for regular coolant flushes as I mentioned before, there are two ways to really avoid a strawberry milkshake. The first is to just replace the radiator before anything happens; every 8 years is a good interval to set for replacement. The second way to avoid the milkshake is to install an external transmission cooler that is separate from the radiator. This removes the possibility of the milkshake ever happening as the radiator and coolant are removed from the equation. Or, if you’re wanting to really do it right, do both of these things. The new radiator will be about $150 (Koyo 1998A) and the external transmission cooler will be at least $60 (B&M 70268).

 

[3bears]

I think that is a reman from yota...camelback...as it has a core charge

even still...id take a reman from the dealer than a rebuilt from a outside shop like AAmco. I had a tranny installed years ago..on a chebby...the independent put in an aamco...and that was 1500 just for the tranny

 

[sigley0527]

I mixed coolants...

I just realized this....

I had the Toyota (red) coolant in the truck. Iver the past year I was topping my coolant off with regular (green) coolant. I am now just reading that the red (extended life) should not be mixed with green coolant. Do you think this could have contributed to my radiator failure? Also, what are the possible consequences to a motor from mixing the two? Thanks.

 

[sigley0527]

I just realized this....

I had the Toyota (red) coolant in the truck. Iver the past year I was topping my coolant off with regular (green) coolant. I am now just reading that the red (extended life) should not be mixed with green coolant. Do you think this could have contributed to my radiator failure? Also, what are the possible consequences to a motor from mixing the two? Thanks.

I'm also still having trouble getting the coolant system clean. If you look in the reservoir or radiator cap, you see strawberry milkshake. Is this okay? I will continue to flush it out a few more times. I know the tranny fluid will float to the surface so hopefully thats all im seeing.

 

[KidVermicious]

Most green coolants are supposed to be compatible with any other coolant, but it's possible that contributed to your fail. Personally I can't bring myself to mix colors, it just feels wrong.

How are you flushing? When I replace a rad and flush the system, I like to start with a round of distilled water and let the truck idle for ten minutes or so with that stuff running through there, be sure to have the heater and rear heat both wide open. Then I use a bottle of Prestone radiator flush and do the same thing. Then I run another round of distilled water, and when I drain it I use a clean bucket so I can see what's coming out. It should be clean. If it's not, go another round of Prestone, wash, rinse, repeat. You do not want any of that trans fluid left in there, or it'll compromise how well your coolant works.

It'll probably be tricky to clean out the coolant reservoir. If it's too nasty, might be worth your time to just replace it.

 

[jaimesleo]

Whats a strawberry milkshake?

 

[rtarv32101]

Try search or they are 1/2 price after 8pm @ Sonic, just sayin

 

[KidVermicious]

Whats a strawberry milkshake?

Failure of the transmission cooler tubes inside the radiator, leads to mixing of coolant and transmission fluid, Bad Things happen, the resultant foamy mess looks like a strawberry milkshake.

 

[sigley0527]

Most green coolants are supposed to be compatible with any other coolant, but it's possible that contributed to your fail. Personally I can't bring myself to mix colors, it just feels wrong.

How are you flushing? When I replace a rad and flush the system, I like to start with a round of distilled water and let the truck idle for ten minutes or so with that stuff running through there, be sure to have the heater and rear heat both wide open. Then I use a bottle of Prestone radiator flush and do the same thing. Then I run another round of distilled water, and when I drain it I use a clean bucket so I can see what's coming out. It should be clean. If it's not, go another round of Prestone, wash, rinse, repeat. You do not want any of that trans fluid left in there, or it'll compromise how well your coolant works.

It'll probably be tricky to clean out the coolant reservoir. If it's too nasty, might be worth your time to just replace it.

Thanks for this info. I will pick up a few bottles of the flush. I won't have time to flush the radiator until this weekend so hopefully it'll be okay for the week.

Also, as far as flushing the radiator, are you draining the block as well during this process? I actually had my mechanic perform the flush when he put the radiator in but he said I'll have to do it again. Can I use hose water? If not I'll have to figure out where they sell distilled h2o.

 

[KidVermicious]

I don't know if the 5VZE has a block drain? If it does, go for it, if not don't worry about it. Tap water will work in a pinch if it's not too hard, distilled water is recommended. Any grocery store will have gallons on the shelf.

 

[maverickhawk]

Try search or they are 1/2 price after 8pm @ Sonic, just sayin

Never gets old!

 

[maverickhawk]

I bought a 2000 with PM. I put a new radiator and flushed the trans. It did great for a year until it got hot out this summer. After about 4 or 5 thousand miles it's now started to slip. Now I am searching for a used trans. It has tought me to be real leary of any used trucks. I have seen several trucks listed stating new radiator and trans flush. My next runner will be a 5spd.
Forgot to mention I have 98 trans out of a roll over I bought. Guess I will try it. Since nobody can say for sure it won't work. I think worst case scenario will be shift points.

 

[MuddyButt]

That shifting sounds normal. My transmission is jumpy sometimes from first to second when I try to accelerate slowly. When i give it a little more gas it shifts smoothly. Why not drive the thing until the transmission gets really bad? You could put money aside along the way.

 

[sigley0527]

That shifting sounds normal. My transmission is jumpy sometimes from first to second when I try to accelerate slowly. When i give it a little more gas it shifts smoothly. Why not drive the thing until the transmission gets really bad? You could put money aside along the way.

Actually, mine is the opposite. When I'm driving smooth and easy (like I normally drive-under 2500rpm) it shifts like butter throughout all the gears. When I'm at a stop, and give it some power out of the gate, I get the slip from 1st into 2nd gear. I don't know if it would even be classified as a "slip", its more like a "clunk". And you really feel it from the rear wheels. I don't know, maybe I've always had this (I should just my u-joint just to rule it out). My mechanic called me today to see how the tranny is driving. I told him exactly what I'm writing now. He was a little surprised because when he test drove it he said the tranny was shifting very smoothly (I guess he didnt give it any power out of the gate). He told me that he replaced the clutch packs or something so it might take a few hundred miles to feel normal. He kind of lost me there. Anyway, he said drive a few hundred miles and to check back with him.

 

[cannon]

After replacing a radiator (not on a 4runner but on an altima) I actually had some similar issues to what you are describing. It ran rough which was noticeable immediately after the transmission changed gears, but has gradually stopped over time.

I think it was caused by not having sufficiently burped the engine right after putting more coolant in. I noticed after I drove it (very rough the first time) I took off the radiator cap and it was low. I filled it back up and it ran a lot better after that and now I have no problems.

I know it is a shot in the dark, but it is something to consider.

 

[MuddyButt]

My transmission is probably a bit worn too. I like to manually shift it a lot (sometimes wish I had a manual) and I like to use my scanguage to measure my 0-60 even though my 4runner is slow as **** but hey i was happy with 10.8 sec 0-60. Without a supercharger and oversized tires

 

[MuddyButt]

Actually, mine is the opposite. When I'm driving smooth and easy (like I normally drive-under 2500rpm) it shifts like butter throughout all the gears. When I'm at a stop, and give it some power out of the gate, I get the slip from 1st into 2nd gear. I don't know if it would even be classified as a "slip", its more like a "clunk". And you really feel it from the rear wheels. I don't know, maybe I've always had this (I should just my u-joint just to rule it out). My mechanic called me today to see how the tranny is driving. I told him exactly what I'm writing now. He was a little surprised because when he test drove it he said the tranny was shifting very smoothly (I guess he didnt give it any power out of the gate). He told me that he replaced the clutch packs or something so it might take a few hundred miles to feel normal. He kind of lost me there. Anyway, he said drive a few hundred miles and to check back with him.

Sounds like you're feeling it catching gears it might have always done it and you're paranoid now.