T4R radiator design questions / Pink Milkshake

[kball]

thanks kball. how does that compare to this brand which is half the price and free shipping
Amazon.com: Wix 58964 In-Line Transmission Filter, Pack of 1: Automotive

would they pretty much work the same??

Seems pretty much the same. It has a magnet and a bypass. Just depends on how much you trust the Wix name I guess. Just my thoughts but I can't help but feel the Magnefine is probably made a little better but...? If you can find info on the Wix that makes it look as well made as this then I say go for it.

Dual Filtration

 

[BADGATE]

This thread has me ithcing to order the 4454...not so concerned about the filter, unless someone has a story that'll scare me the other way. I've got 130k miles on my runner and we use as our vacation transport to Daytona Florida...last year Key West...this year the Gulf Coast:dancin:. I am thinking if I am going to get in and add the separate cooler for the tranny, I should just replace the original radiator while I'm there. Anyone recommend one most bang for the buck? They vary in $$$ so much online. Thanks!

 

[alaskaflyer]

glad I found this thread, just ordered mine today. Price is now 44 and some change plus shipping.

Thanks

 

[Johnate0]

I've known about the 4R tranny/coolant problems for a while now. It happened to a buddy's 99 and it was milkshake galore. He never took good care of that car though, I'm surprised it lasted as long as it did!

I plan on ordering one of these coolers soon. My '01 has 122K and so far both fluids are clean but I'm scared shartless of finding a frothing mess one day when checking fluids!

Hey alaskaflyer, you're a fellow 4R-owning, kayak-loving Cape Codder I see! Right on.

ETA: So here's what happened when I went to remove the return hose from my radiator. SNAP! Came right off with only 10 lbs or so of pressure. Coolant and tranny fluid went everywhere. Bought an aftermarket radiator, new Toyota red coolant and had the new tranny cooler ready to install. I mounted it with ports facing down. Glad I got this out of the way but now it's time to save up for a new CAT.

 

[BIG EYE]

Whats the level of difficulty to install one of these?

I am looking to pick up a 4Runner soon and after doing research will definitely want to do this. I am somewhat of a DIYer, but normally leave the more difficult jobs to professionals.....

 

[quicksilvr]

Whats the level of difficulty to install one of these?

I am looking to pick up a 4Runner soon and after doing research will definitely want to do this. I am somewhat of a DIYer, but normally leave the more difficult jobs to professionals.....

I say that if you even remotely consider yourself a DIY kinda person: go for it. It's very straightforward. You simply remove the existing soft lines that run from the hard lines off the transmission to the radiator, mount the cooler, and run your new lines into and out of the cooler. Lots of people on here will answer questions if you are in the middle and get stuck.


Don't do what I did and accidentally puncture your AC condenser! I was out a new condenser and recharge. But I think I'm the only one that has done that....it was a bonehead move on my part. lol

 

[Satter]

Umm, silly question here, but could Toyota have put in an independent tranny cooler? The reason I ask is that I have two radiators in the front (I thin one and one thick one), and I always wondered what the smaller thin one was for. I figured it might be for the AC unit or something.

 

[Volley]

Show us a pic, will prob get better response.

 

[Qyota]

Umm, silly question here, but could Toyota have put in an independent tranny cooler? The reason I ask is that I have two radiators in the front (I thin one and one thick one), and I always wondered what the smaller thin one was for. I figured it might be for the AC unit or something.

The thin one in front is the A/C condenser. The larger one to the rear is for engine coolant. At the bottom of the coolant radiator is the factory built-in trans cooler (on autos).

 

[98_4runnerSR5]

Just another thing I have yet to install that's been sitting on the shelf for a while... TRD Transmission cooler to be installed in the next week!

 

[Satter]

Is preventing this problem as easy as just replacing the radiator? A dealership will do it for $500. I don't know of any mechanics in the Houston area that specializes in Toyotas. I know that it recommended here that a tranny cooler should be installed if at all possible. Unfortunately, I'm not a mechanic. I called 3 different dealership service depts and they had absolutely no idea what I was talking about. Never heard of the radiator seal failing, or "pink milkshake". I'm not surprised.

 

[WHORERUNNER]

You could just replace the radiator without having to install an external tranny cooler. The external tranny cooler is just (pink milkshake)insurance.

 

[Pikeman]

Is preventing this problem as easy as just replacing the radiator? A dealership will do it for $500. I don't know of any mechanics in the Houston area that specializes in Toyotas. I know that it recommended here that a tranny cooler should be installed if at all possible. Unfortunately, I'm not a mechanic. I called 3 different dealership service depts and they had absolutely no idea what I was talking about. Never heard of the radiator seal failing, or "pink milkshake". I'm not surprised.

Please don't pay the dealer $500 to do this. The part itself should be no more then $175 and closer to $125 if you go with the Koyo A1998. I think I went to Goparts.com to get mine. Even if you have very limited mechanical ability and tools you can still do a radiator. Even if you went to Toyotapartsales.com (toyta of Dallas) or Champion Toyota(houston) the radiator is $210. If you still have doubts I know there are a few board members in the area that should be willing to give you a hand.

 

[markopolo]

Which tranny cooler?

So I just bought a 2001 Limited with 135K and am looking to replace the timing belt/water cooler and install an external transmission cooler immediately. I've seen two different coolers recommended and I was just wondering what people's input was. One I've seen is the B&M 70264 - B&M SuperCooler Oil Coolers, or the Long Tru-Cool LPD Cooler SR4454. What are the pros/cons to these? Are there others that you would recommend? Thanks!

 

[Pikeman]

So I just bought a 2001 Limited with 135K and am looking to replace the timing belt/water cooler and install an external transmission cooler immediately. I've seen two different coolers recommended and I was just wondering what people's input was. One I've seen is the B&M 70264 - B&M SuperCooler Oil Coolers, or the Long Tru-Cool LPD Cooler SR4454. What are the pros/cons to these? Are there others that you would recommend? Thanks!

Both of those are good products. I went with the Tru-Cool 4589 same as the 4454 but 1.5 thick instead of .75. Bulkpart.com has the 4454 for $56.72. The B&M and the Tru-cool both have the low pressure drop design and also have the cold operation bypass.

 

[markopolo]

Both of those are good products. I went with the Tru-Cool 4589 same as the 4454 but 1.5 thick instead of .75. Bulkpart.com has the 4454 for $56.72. The B&M and the Tru-cool both have the low pressure drop design and also have the cold operation bypass.

Ok thanks, I was wondering because the 4454 says it's for cars and I wasn't sure about it's durability on a 4Runner. Is the 4589 too big if I'm not doing any heavy hauling?

 

[alexfrilot]

I just replaced my stock radiator with a koyo, is it still a good idea to install a tranny cooler and bypass the radiator?

 

[sr5owner?]

Lots of useful info on here about this issue. Big thanks for all those who posted pics and info! Pics say a lot.

I'm currently looking for a 3rd gen and my question is how do I determine if the milkshake effect has occured on the 4Runner I look at? Would evidence show on the tranny dipstick? Does the inside of the coolant overflow show anything? When test driving is there any clues that may give a clue?

I've seen a few pics of ones that had cut the old radiator open and it showed evidence of the milkshake effect. Does that mean it's too late to save the tranny? Any input appreciated. Thanks!

 

[alp]

I just replaced my stock radiator with a koyo, is it still a good idea to install a tranny cooler and bypass the radiator?

Currently I have ATF cooler installed bypassing the original (1999) OEM radiator. I am thinking to replace this old radiator with a new one (Koyo) and I would also like to know your guys opinion: should I keep the new radiator's internal ATF cooler bypassed? On the other hand concider that I will install the brand new radiator with the internal cooler that will doubly fail anytime soon would I have any benefits if I reroute the external ATF cooler so the fluid goes to the radiator internal cooler first and than to external one?

 

[alp]

^^^^^
Anyone?