trans fluid and coolant mixing.

[mattison71]

How can I tell if I just have the "toyota Red" coolant, as compared to tranny/coolant mixing?

Look inside the radiator, if the fluid looks like milkshake, the trans fluid has mixed into the coolant and vise versa. It will be foamy. You will know without question!

 

[mattison71]

I just purchased a 2005 4 Runner Limited with 183K miles. It appears to have the original radiator (Toyota's mark on the drivers side) and the vehicle looks to have been well cared for. When should I consider changing the radiator as preventive maintenance? Should I consider bypassing the radiator with a large trans cooler? (I live in Vermont and don't plan to tow anything larger than a light 10' utility trailer with a 700 pound motorcycle in it.)
What other preventive maintenance should I consider?
This 2005 is in very good condition and my wife plans to keep this for many years (at least 5 and hopefully 7 years) I was thinking of painting the frame and underbody with POR-15 Rust inhibitor ($135 per gallon) then 2 weeks later, cover all that with Master Shield Undercoat to protect from all the road salt that Vermont uses. Finally have my mechanic spray inside the doors etc with Fluid Film. Would anyone suggest another product instead of POR-15, Master Shield Undercoat and Fluid Film?
Thank you for your advice in advance. ~Roy P Mattison

 

[Bad Luck]

Look inside the radiator, if the fluid looks like milkshake, the trans fluid has mixed into the coolant and vise versa. It will be foamy. You will know without question!

You quoted a guy from 12 years ago. A little late to the party, eh?

I just purchased a 2005 4 Runner Limited with 183K miles. It appears to have the original radiator (Toyota's mark on the drivers side) and the vehicle looks to have been well cared for. When should I consider changing the radiator as preventive maintenance? Should I consider bypassing the radiator with a large trans cooler? (I live in Vermont and don't plan to tow anything larger than a light 10' utility trailer with a 700 pound motorcycle in it.)
What other preventive maintenance should I consider?
This 2005 is in very good condition and my wife plans to keep this for many years (at least 5 and hopefully 7 years) I was thinking of painting the frame and underbody with POR-15 Rust inhibitor ($135 per gallon) then 2 weeks later, cover all that with Master Shield Undercoat to protect from all the road salt that Vermont uses. Finally have my mechanic spray inside the doors etc with Fluid Film. Would anyone suggest another product instead of POR-15, Master Shield Undercoat and Fluid Film?
Thank you for your advice in advance. ~Roy P Mattison

You have a 4th gen 4Runner. This is the 3rd Gen 4Runner section. Most of us here aren't familiar with your platform so you would probably get better results searching in the 4th Gen section: https://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/
4th gen section google search: https://www.google.com/search?newwindow=1&rlz=1C1QJDB_enUS784US793&sxsrf=ALeKk01joy_uTU_DqxLgHYAx4WmYC9hFIw%3A1600352932274&ei=pHJjX5SVEIXwsQWKsq-wDg&q=site%3Atoyota-4Runner.org%2F4th-gen-t4rs%2F&oq=site%3Atoyota-4Runner.org%2F4th-gen-t4rs%2F&gs_lcp=CgZwc3ktYWIQA1DsD1jTHGDbH2gAcAB4AIABXogBnAOSAQE3mAEAoAEBqgEHZ3dzLXdpesABAQ&sclient=psy-ab&ved=0ahUKEwiU96ugs_DrAhUFeKwKHQrZC-YQ4dUDCA0&uact=5

 

[kevvyboy4Funner]

How did you manage in the end [MENTION=13066]wildcar[/MENTION] ?
What did you end up doing?
HOw much did it cost?


This has JUST happened to me ugh

I need to drive it about 300m to a place to flush it, shouldnt too too risky should it??

 

[alumarine]

How did you manage in the end [MENTION=13066]wildcar[/MENTION] ?
What did you end up doing?
HOw much did it cost?


This has JUST happened to me ugh

I need to drive it about 300m to a place to flush it, shouldnt too too risky should it??

300 meters ok.
300 miles, it will be junk.

 

[brillo_76]

Search this forum for pink milkshake and you see several threads and solutions to that issue.

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