The Pink Milkshake: when did it happen to you?
- Thread starter benjamin247
- Start date
benjamin247
New member
I bought my runner at used 201K and don't have contacts for the previous owner(s). Are there any indicators to know if the radiator has been replaced?
ToyotaBrah
Member
Does the radiator look new in relation to the rest of the engine bay?
Instead of replacing the radiator (or maybe ALONG with replacing the radiator), why don't you guys just install an external transmission cooler? That way, the fluids never ever ever will have the chance to mix, correct? And the transmission coolers are cheap and relatively easy to install, from what I've read.
So I'm at 170k having done tranny fluid drain and refill once a year. Noticed this winter as someone mentioned above the same exact thing "shifting okay for the most part except when it got cold, into the teens temperature wise, then it would be slow acting when first pulling off; 2nd gear shifts would be a bit long" So should I replace radiator or just add a tranny cooler or both ?
maverickhawk
Member
I bought our 2000 off the street with the pink milk shake. Paid $1400 for it. Took it home dropped the pan, drained and filled three times and have been driving it daily for the last 5 months. Don't get me wrong, I am in the market for another transmission. But right now it shifts great. I only have a little over $2000 dollars invested in this truck, and it does just fine around town.
The wife and I work at the same place so we drive the 2000 so we can keep the 97 in the garage. The 97 is our pride and joy. It only comes out for special occasions. It is my build project.
Oh yeah, the pink milkshake ( what we named it ) had 200,000 miles on it when the radiator popped. And I did change it.
The wife and I work at the same place so we drive the 2000 so we can keep the 97 in the garage. The 97 is our pride and joy. It only comes out for special occasions. It is my build project.
Oh yeah, the pink milkshake ( what we named it ) had 200,000 miles on it when the radiator popped. And I did change it.
ToyotaBrah
Member
Are second gear changes long all the time? Reason I ask is, in cold weather the transmission will hold onto first and second slightly longer until the motor reaches operating temperature.
calimobber
Member
It didnt happen for me, installed a tranny cooler at 190k miles and its been good to go. little over 200k now.
animator
New member
benjamin247
New member
[MENTION=110088]SilverRidgeRunner1[/MENTION] was your 4runner in Tennessee when it happened? How are the winters there?
The owners that have posted experience with the pink milkshake, so far on this thread, are from areas where it gets into freezing temps in winter. I see posts from Michigan, Idaho, and Iowa on this thread. I'm thinking with freezing temps may be causing these seals to fail.
Any Runners in the lower states experience this?
SilverRidgeRunner1
Member
Yes!
It get pretty cold in the winter here I think the coldest was -16degree for a few days in a row... We def get pretty cold winter in TN any winter cold fronts that blow south hit Tn just as much, we may not see as bad of snows as some of the other states... I live in the Mountains so it get interesting going up and down steep hills in cold weather and snow.
Is this the cooler everyone recommends??
Amazon.com: B&M 70268 SuperCooler Automatic Transmission Cooler: Automotive
Amazon.com: B&M 70268 SuperCooler Automatic Transmission Cooler: Automotive
benjamin247
New member
Ok...now I'm really starting to think it is freezing temps that cause the internal tranny coolers to fail. With the temps shifting from extreme heat while driving to freezing temps when the the engine is off, the metal could expand and contract from those changes rather quickly and over time can either cause cracks between the metal pieces or gaps in the seals.
Living in San Francisco, and with my runner being in California all of its life, maybe I can give it a few more years before worrying about this. Unless someone from the warmer states says it has happened to them, and totally debunks my theory.
SilverRidgeRunner1
Member
actually the most common reason we found at the dealer was corrosion from not changing antifreeze. The antifreeze turns into a acid and really does a number.
GTEE1997
New member
Why not replace the radiator w-timing belt & water pump?
No pink milkshake on my 2001 4Runner with 151K miles, but I have very little info about its previous service history (specifically the radiator fluid replacements) so I am going to change out the radiator. Timing belt and water pump were replaced just before I bought it. I thought about installing the external oil cooler, but just decided that since the radiator could fail otherwise, the pluses of replacing it now was worth the extra $60-80 for the 'aftermarket' Koyo radiator vs the B&W cooler. And I figure I'll replace the radiator again with the next water pump & timing belt service at 250K. With this plan in mind, I feel more comfortable using the Zerex Asian antifreeze, saving some money on that end.
I do plan to flush the coolant system before I replace the radiator, figure if there is any buildup in the engine then I should get that flushed out before installing the new radiator. During the flush, I plan to bypass the transmission oil cooler section of the radiator, 'just in case' it is corroded and about to go. I'll crack open the old radiator after I am finished replacing everything and post some photo of its guts, to see the state of corrosion.
No pink milkshake on my 2001 4Runner with 151K miles, but I have very little info about its previous service history (specifically the radiator fluid replacements) so I am going to change out the radiator. Timing belt and water pump were replaced just before I bought it. I thought about installing the external oil cooler, but just decided that since the radiator could fail otherwise, the pluses of replacing it now was worth the extra $60-80 for the 'aftermarket' Koyo radiator vs the B&W cooler. And I figure I'll replace the radiator again with the next water pump & timing belt service at 250K. With this plan in mind, I feel more comfortable using the Zerex Asian antifreeze, saving some money on that end.
I do plan to flush the coolant system before I replace the radiator, figure if there is any buildup in the engine then I should get that flushed out before installing the new radiator. During the flush, I plan to bypass the transmission oil cooler section of the radiator, 'just in case' it is corroded and about to go. I'll crack open the old radiator after I am finished replacing everything and post some photo of its guts, to see the state of corrosion.
I experienced the pink milkshake at 275,000 miles. At the time, it had been 7 years that I had owned my 2001 Toyota 4Runner and had never changed the radiator or got a trans cooler. At the time of nightmare that is the pink milkshake I had the radiator replaced and trans flushed from a shop. After driving it for a day I noticed the ATF was still a little cloudy. I then proceeded to flush out the trans on my own through the hose that connects to the radiator. I at least pumped around 7 or 8 gallons of new fully synthetic ATF. The trans has shifted flawlessly since. It’s been a little over and year and I’ve put another 15,000 miles on it. Even drove it through the mountains in North Carolina during a road trip from NYC to FL. Long story short… don’t give up on your 4Runner if you experience the good ole milkshake.
