Tranny cooler broke

[mikea]

To junk or not to junk...

2000 SR5- The tranny cooler broke and leaked into the cooling system. Shop says I need a new radiator/tranny cooler and system flush ($1300).
Only after that, they will be able to tell if the transmission is damaged (they cant tell without making the repair apparently?)

Then if they find out the tranny is damaged, it will need to be replaced. KBB has the value at $4500--obviously the tranny replacement wont be worth the money.

Should I just junk it?
Thanks for any advice with this.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

To junk or not to junk...

2000 SR5- The tranny cooler broke and leaked into the cooling system. Shop says I need a new radiator/tranny cooler and system flush ($1300).
Only after that, they will be able to tell if the transmission is damaged (they cant tell without making the repair apparently?)

Then if they find out the tranny is damaged, it will need to be replaced. KBB has the value at $4500--obviously the tranny replacement wont be worth the money.

Should I just junk it?
Thanks for any advice with this.

Many have gone through this. A search of "pink milkshake" will yeild several other, similar stories. Most get it going again and some have success with a few trans drain & fills others need trans work. It is a bit of a roll of the dice and the question is how long was it driven with fluids co-mingled.


Many 3rd gen folks use an aftermarket trans cooler and then bypass the buit-in OE cooler to prevent this issue.


The $1300 sounds high.

 

[mikea]

I think it was driven 20 to 40 miles or so with fluids mixed... Would you think that means tranny damage?

 

[topdown4runner]

That's WAY too much to do a radiator & system flush!!!

TOW it to another shop!
Do not walk, Run away from them!!!

Check your local classifieds, junk yards, etc...for a used transmission.

I don't know where you are, but here in Orlando, I have a used tranny for $500. I don't think it will work in a 2002 though.

Check around, look on the web for a local 4x4 club and send them an email looking for a reputable shop they would send their sister too, etc...


Good luck!

 

[mikea]

Sounds good. I thought it sounded high...

Also, the tranny was slipping between gears before I brought it into the shop. It would feel like it was going into neutral after letting off acceleration and then giving more gas.
From hearing this, do you think the tranny is damaged???

I feel like if it's damaged, there's no reason to go through with the repair.

This is from Maplewood Toyota (a large dealership) in Minnesota by the way.

 

[4-Ripcord]

Going more than a half mile after strawberry milkshake can ruin a transmission. And on top of that, it sounds like you had some issues before you even had the milkshake issue. Based on that and the unknown distance you drove after the issue arose. I would say junk it.

That's just my $0.02

 

[DC Dude]

Someone enlighten me on what is a T4R strawberry milkshake.

 

[4-Ripcord]

its a 3rd gen thing.
It is when there is a ruptured hose or something in the radiator and the transmission coolant fluid mixes with the radiator coolant fluid. The two mixing spills over into the overflow reservoir in a strawberry milkshake-like liquid. This causes the transmission to undergo a lot of stress and can destroy it. Most other engine components remain fairly unharmed if the vehicle is quickly shut down until the problem is fixed.

An aftermarket tranny cooler helps becuase it creates an entirely separate unit for cooling the transmission, removing the possibility of the happening.

 

[mikea]

Well I decided to have a shop replace the radiator and flush everything with a power flushing machine. Fingers crossed. I will let you guys know if it survives. Thanks again for all the help...

Mike

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Well I decided to have a shop replace the radiator and flush everything with a power flushing machine. Fingers crossed. I will let you guys know if it survives. Thanks again for all the help...

Mike

Good luck! If you keep it really consider doing a bypass of the in-tank cooler. If the "new" radiator is a rebuilt the cooler may do the same thing again. Just my 2cents.

Good thread here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/accessories/17358-transmission-cooler-install.html

 

[mikea]

Well so far so good. I've put about 350 miles on it since the radiator replacement and the tranny flush. All seems to be good with the transmission so far. No slipping or anything else out of the ordinary.

 

[DC Dude]

Well so far so good. I've put about 350 miles on it since the radiator replacement and the tranny flush. All seems to be good with the transmission so far. No slipping or anything else out of the ordinary.

Time to sell.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Well so far so good. I've put about 350 miles on it since the radiator replacement and the tranny flush. All seems to be good with the transmission so far. No slipping or anything else out of the ordinary.

:bigok: Does the fluid look clear and pink when you check it or does it need one more flush?