Went out for a drive to the gym and the temperature gauge starts rising. I pull over and hope that the coolant level is low but sure enough I open it up to see the lovely milkshake has struck. I have a 99 4runner with 116K miles. Anyways just wanted to document another milkshake occurrence and wishing that Toyota would've done a recall! I ordered the Koyo radiator and a transmission cooler.

 

Sorry to hear that man. That sucks. Side note, I've had 3 e30s, they are sweet cars.

 

Sorry man, maybe if we all start chanting to the service guys "Recall" "Recall" "Recall". Of course the service advisers always say they never heard of that problem.

 

If that were the case, I think we'd need more of a technical name for it other than 'strawberry milkshake'. Which is why they snicker and say, "huh" when we tell them. I do however wish toyota would recall this problem because it is a shame how many 4Runners have bit the bullet. If you guys are serious I think we should start a petition/riot/concern thread and send it off to toyota's head honcho's email when we get an adequate number of posts pertaining to those that have been affected by this. Just my .02.

I plan to change out my radiator soon regardless cus I just hit 140k and I'm not waiting any longer.

Sorry to hear ya got it though, & hope ya only have minimal maintenance

 

$175 for the Koyo radiator, new hoses, a new T-stat and gasket, distilled H20and new antifreeze prevents lots of headaches. I think The Durk posted that Zerex makes an antifreeze almost identical to OEM that he uses for much cheaper.

2005-2008 Nissan Frontiers are having the same problem with the milkshake but at much lower mileage. My friend has a loaded 2005 one (Nismo + 4wd) and at 71xxx miles, milkshake problems, with the root of the problem being the same location as in the 4 runner. Since used parts are not as readily available given the age of the trucks, some members of the Nico club actually hired a lawyer for a class action suit I THINK but am not 100% positve. Where they stand I do not know, but Nissan must have known since they changed radiator suppliers in 2009. My friend, out $3800 and change for a new transmission, radiator, external cooler, and fluids.

 

Sorry to hear that man, I just put a remote transmission cooler in last weekend because more of these posts were popping up. My 99 has 150k on it. Best of luck.

 

Thanks guys. It sucks but I think I should come out alright since I caught it early. I attached some links of the radiator and external tranny cooler I purchased. First time in over three years my 4runner has ever let me down.

Toyota should recognize that flaw but I highly doubt they would do anything now...

http://www.transmissioncoolers.us/Me...roduct_Count=2

http://www.go-part.com/9602-toyota-4...8-p-23842.html

 

Guys, when I got my Koyo from Go-Part it was actually cheaper buying it from them on EBAY then directly from their website. That was about 3-4 months ago, but it may be worth your time to check.

Also, not beating up on the OP by any means, but any of you guys riding around in a 100K plus 4runner be forewarned, you're living on borrowed time! I don't get comission from Koyo, but this is such a cheap and simple fix (compared to the alternative of a new tranny) why would you NOT do it now?

OP- I do hope you're right and the tranny wasn't damaged, keep us posted.

 

me too!

So what kind of tranny results are you guys getting after this happens? Do most get away with no issues to the tranny or are most losing their tranny's?

 

Seems to be going around lately. Mine went last Friday, '99 with 160k miles. Wish I had been keeping up to date on this forum. Still waiting on the radiator but I got it back together today. It made it around the block but I think I will flush another couple of gallons for good measure. Why does this stuff always happen when I have 100lbs of snow and ice packed underneath the truck? My wife said the pink snow looked kinda pretty. I wasn't amused.
Good luck with yours E30runner.

 

I second that motion

It's only going to get worse as our 3rd gen's gracefully age through the eras

 

That made me lol. Mostly because my wife usually says something equally annoying when something bad happens to a vehicle.


If it's any consolation to everyone that's had this happen: my truck had it happen over 30k miles ago, and I've had no issues with the transmission at all. When I had the pan off servicing it last summer, everything looked good....at that point I didn't even know it had happened. I learned the bad news just this month, doing a little research online of the previous owner.

 

Don't ya just love them
Try changing the radiator at the parking lot at work in 0-5 degree weather with -10 degree windchill with 100 lbs of snow underneath lol....

mine happen last week after having the cooling system flushed for an hr. ($140) there is still some Atf fluid in the overfill reservoir after 15 miles of driving home. Trans fluid looks red.. will check often and dropping the pan is next.

 

That's the same cooler I'm running and have been for 4 weeks.

 

Alright Toyota, three milkshakes in one week, and that's just on this forum. You know there is a problem. You recalled Taco's for rusted frames. Show us a little love.

 

New Koyo Radiator and external trans cooler are installed. Drained and drained and drained the trans and while I was at it put Amsoil all around. 4runner is shifting like new and will probably flush the transmission again in another 500 miles just for good measure. For all the rest be warned and change your radiator asap!

 

nice, never even knew about this. will check on mine later.

 

my 99 is at 290,000 miles on an original radiator and my 97 is at 172,000.... O_O might be time huh?