This is dumb but....... How to avoid the scary milkshake.

Collkid

Collkid

New member
So,

I got my 4runner at 160 just about 2 months ago.

My wife and I are on a budget and we hope to hit 250k+ with this thing.


Sounds like the only real probably I 'might' run into is this milkshake thing.

So I ask you, what is the best thing I can do to avoid this issue?


Replace Radiator? Flush trans fluid? Flush coolant? Change one of the cooling lines?






I'm sure its been covered before, but I would love to hear how YOU avoid this problem.
 
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I just did this upgrade. I changed the radiator and added a trans cooler. I went with inline route as oppose to the bypass. I still wanted to have my trans oil heated according to factory rather than being to cool going back to trans. I figured with a brand new radiator, this will minimize the pink milkshake. You can bypass the radiator and eliminate milkshake but I've read that the trans oil runs hotter especially when pulling or offroading. I offroad so I wanted my trans on the cool side. You'll get a lot of opinions but ultimately choice.

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MACT4R said:
I just did this upgrade. I changed the radiator and added a trans cooler. I went with inline route as oppose to the bypass. I still wanted to have my trans oil heated according to factory rather than being to cool going back to trans. I figured with a brand new radiator, this will minimize the pink milkshake. You can bypass the radiator and eliminate milkshake but I've read that the trans oil runs hotter especially when pulling or offroading. I offroad so I wanted my trans on the cool side. You'll get a lot of opinions but ultimately choice.

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What you said contradicted a little. So is what you did just regular temp vs cooled or..?


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Bypass the rad is the only 100 percent sure way. Guys are buying the B and M kits, lots of threads on the options and opinions.

I got the cooler that is 14,400 btu but have not installed it yet. My cooler came off a big Dodge(i think, not totally sure) truck. I got it for $5 at the pick and pull salvage yard.

Personally, I changed the radiator when I got mine. Did not bypass. I will put the cooler in line and keep the radiator cooling as well, eventually.
 
One does not simply avoid the pink milkshake.
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If you pressure flush the trans it could happen. If you fail to replace the radiator every 8 years like recommended it could happen. If you frequent dairy queen it could happen. Also if you dont replace your lower ball joints it could happen during a highspeed roll over incident.

Replace your radiator. Avoid pressure flushes. Add a trans cooler inline if towing.

I bought my rig milkshaked (previous owner was a DQ manager) and bypassed the radiator when i put my cooler on, however, i plan to run it inline before cold Michigan winters.



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PWD4R said:
What you said contradicted a little. So is what you did just regular temp vs cooled or..?


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Click to expand...
There's a lot of info in regards to b&m trans cooler addition. It'll make more sense with more research. But what I've read bypassing may be too cool going back to transmission if in colder weather. Having it go through the radiator warms it up as it goes back to trans. Hotter weather also inc the oil to hot on a bypass especially in southern cali when you pull trailer or go offroad. It also gets hot going through the radiator/offroading. I opted to stick with inline radiator with trans cooler as it will stay cooler when I offroad. Hope that makes sense. Research b&m trans cooler addition.

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MACT4R said:
There's a lot of info in regards to b&m trans cooler addition. It'll make more sense with more research. But what I've read bypassing may be too cool going back to transmission if in colder weather. Having it go through the radiator warms it up as it goes back to trans. Hotter weather also inc the oil to hot on a bypass especially in southern cali when you pull trailer or go offroad. It also gets hot going through the radiator/offroading. I opted to stick with inline radiator with trans cooler as it will stay cooler when I offroad. Hope that makes sense. Research b&m trans cooler addition.

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That made more sense. Thanks


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First off, know that the pink milkshake possibility is rarer than you think. It just seems like a huge deal because of the attention it gets on forums like this.

Most people who currently have 3rd Gen 4runners have never heard of a pink milkshake, will never bypass their stock cooler or add an external cooler in series and they'll still get a long life out of their 4runners.

But, knowledge is power and keeping track of your trans temperature to make sure you're not overheating it can make a difference in the longevity of your transmission. One of the best ways to reduce your trans temps is to turn off your overdrive while you're climbing grades going somewhere in the area of 60 mph or lower. Turning the overdrive off locks up the torque converter and you'll drop your temps by 20 degrees or more. The other good way to reduce your temps is to add an external cooler.

From what I've seen, the companies that sell trans coolers recommend that you do not bypass the stock cooler in the radiator. Many on this forum have bypassed and are totally happy with their decision. Others are like me and have added an external cooler and run it in-series with the cooler in the radiator. Some just replace the radiator as preventative maintenance.

There's lots of threads and discussion on this subject. What I suggest is you do plenty of research before making the decision on which way to go. Don't use the search engine on this forum. Do a Google search and you'll find more information than you'll probably want to read through.
 
I don't like the idea of bypassing with after market coolers

Some of those guys will tell you to only buy OEM stuff and then in the same breath tell you to go aftermarket bypass. BS.

Just replace radiator with an OEM or denso radiator and be done with it for the next 7-10 years.
 
sadkins12 said:
Whats a good way to keep track of trans temp?

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If you have a 1999 - 2002, you can tap into the truck's computer via the OBDII connection under the dash with either a Scan Gauge or a bluetooth reader that sends info to a phone app like Torque Pro. These years trucks have a temp sensor you can get accurate readings from.

If you have a 1996-1998, you can't read the trans temp unless you actually install a temperature sensor at some point in the lines and then run it to a gauge you also have to buy.
 
My rig got the pink milkshake when my brother owned it. It was the original radiator that failed at 200k miles. Bypassing the cooler in the radiator is an option but personally I would just replace the radiator with an OEM one or a Denso. It's good preventative maintenance and you shouldn't have to worry about the milkshake for many, many years.

Also, read up on rear axle seals. That is another known issue with the 3rd gen 4R. Replace the breather on the differential (super cheap and easy) and inspect to see if there is oil on the abs ring through the port where the sensor goes.

Other than that, they are very solid vehicles.
 
I replaced the radiator when I did the timing belt. It's about $100, and having it out of the way makes the timing belt easier. If you do them at the same time you're only paying for coolant once.

Bypassing it completely will certainly avoid the pink milkshake, but I'm still not sure that's a good idea for people in cold climates, because part of the reason for having the transmission cooler integrated into the radiator is to let it warm up faster in the winter.

That's been debated in other threads, so we don't need to get into it again here. I just wanted to make you aware of that consideration.
 
I bought my truck about a year ago, it had been serviced all its life at Toyota dealers ( 2 in the Portland area) It was then traded on a Subaru , that's when I got it. When I went to the dealer with my vin they printed out all the service records
It showed about 5 years previous they replaced the radiator and did a transmission service/flush....as well as some other service so it may have just been a preventative or scheduled tranny service.
that made me wonder if it had the milkshake and made me unhappy to think I might have a short life tranny
I then did another service to the tranny, however that lead to another issue, a stripped pan bolt.
anyway, dropped the pan, cleaned the filter, installed a new pan, added a cooler and bypassed the radiator
if it did have the milkshake, its been nearly 40k since the "service " and its doing fine

for those that bypass the radiator , don't forget to run a hose between the two necks of the old tranny nipples in the radiator, if the rad develops a leak, it wont drain onto the ground through the tranny nipples

I do plan to put in a new radiator in a year or so, as preventative, that will make this one about 8 years old
 
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