Unexpected twist...(radiator stuff)

[Sup41]

So after reading about the pink milkshake of death I decided to take some action and order a new radiator, new hoses, thermostat, etc.

After draining my radiator, removing the fan shroud and finally grill, I realized the radiator is already bypassed with an external cooler ��. Must have been the previous previous owner.

Now my question is...wtf do I do now? If the radiator is bypassed do I even need to replace it? Am I still at risk of a pink milkshake? Should I at least replace the thermostat while I'm here?

Thanks in advanced cuz I'm pretty confused at this point....

 

[jgue467]

May not need to replace, there s/b a manufactured date on tank top.

If bypassed then milkshake isn't possible but depending on highest ambient temps in your area, whether you tow or not, stop/go traffic and mountainous areas can still raise trans temps quite a bit if ONLY bypassed. So you may consider new radiator that runs factory trans cooling PLUS external for best possible cooling (with exception of adding an external fan over external cooler).

If replacing thermostat put it with 'jiggle' valve down to 6oclock for better cooling. Luck. :cowboy:

 

[Sup41]

May not need to replace, there s/b a manufactured date on tank top.

If bypassed then milkshake isn't possible but depending on highest ambient temps in your area, whether you tow or not, stop/go traffic and mountainous areas can still raise trans temps quite a bit if ONLY bypassed. So you may consider new radiator that runs factory trans cooling PLUS external for best possible cooling (with exception of adding an external fan over external cooler).

If replacing thermostat put it with 'jiggle' valve down to 6oclock for better cooling. Luck. :cowboy:

Thank you! Very helpful. So while removing the thermostat cover I lost a LOT of fluid out of there. Was that rad or trans fluid?

 

[alumarine]

Rad fluid.

Rad fluid is like water.
Transmission fluid is like oil.

 

[Sup41]

To the OP, to help out, this is what my radiator fluid looked like yesterday, which, as noted, it's red water in consistency.

Thank you! Yes. Mine was similiar