95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners 4th gen pickups and 3rd gen 4Runners

Milkshake aftermath radiator problem,need help!!

Old Jan 16, 2011 | 08:59 AM
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Milkshake aftermath radiator problem,need help!!

Had the milkshake happen, put new radiator and tranny flush and cooling. Put 50 miles on and all the sudden antifreeze was steaming out of the radiator cap and resivor was bubbling(crazy).... on the side of the highway!!! I let it cool down and refilled with antifreeze and did the same thing a mile down the road.
For some reason the raditor is not cirrculating and steaming out......Could it be possible that there was still tranny fluid in the cooling system and clogged the radiator from flowing? What do you think???

Thanks
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Old Jan 16, 2011 | 09:18 AM
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Does the boiling over antifreeze look okay or is it pink and sludgy?
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Old Jan 16, 2011 | 09:23 AM
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Antifreeze looks fine...I flushed the entire cooling system till I had clear water running through and replaced with antifreeze.
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Old Jan 16, 2011 | 09:29 AM
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Since you put in a new radiator I doubt that it's clogged. Sounds more like your thermostat is not opening. Haven't heard of anyone having that problem after the milkshake though. Is the radiator cap new?
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Old Jan 16, 2011 | 09:38 AM
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New cap and radiator.....I unplugged the the resivor hose near the cap to relief the pressure and gimped it home. It would start to overheat and and I would pull over, it would steem out for a few minutes and let it cool down. Did that four or five times till I got home.
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Old Jan 16, 2011 | 09:43 AM
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head gasket leaking or timing cover seals are busted letting oil come in to the water pump, but my moneys on head gasket. Replace the head gasket and while your in there redo the timing cover seals. I had a similar issue except on mine the pressure from the combustion blew out my water pump seal and spilled all my radiator fluids.

Last edited by blackyota4x4; Jan 16, 2011 at 09:44 AM.
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Old Jan 16, 2011 | 09:48 AM
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on second thought i read that theres no water flow. this might be a thermostat not opening. I would get a pressure test done too just for gp
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Old Jan 16, 2011 | 09:54 AM
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wheww....I like your second thought better!!!
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Old Jan 16, 2011 | 09:55 AM
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When you had the milkshake originally did the engine overheat? A head gasket may be an issue or with the 4-5 times you've overheated it may well become an issue. I'm still thinking that either your new cap is not keeping pressure to reduce the boiling point or for whatever reason your thermostat is not opening.
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Old Jan 16, 2011 | 10:00 AM
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Yes it did overheat when the shake happened and was shut down asap. The four or five times i drove to get home the temp guage was in the middle and when it started to rise a bit I shut it down to cool. That was my concern not to overheat and do further damage...
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Old Jan 16, 2011 | 10:05 AM
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I am thinking here....the truck was running for 20 miles when it was steaming the first time.. can the thermostate just close all the sudden while operating?
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Old Jan 16, 2011 | 10:13 AM
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I've never heard of that type of failure. They always stick closed but I suppose it's possible.
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Old Jan 16, 2011 | 10:25 AM
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A stat is 14$ max at the dealer... I would start there, granting your current stat is questionable.

NOT saying it's even plausible.... but a buddy of mine got a brand new Radiator, same day as I did, same place..... and for some reason, it wouldn't flow. It was defective. However, since you said you had this overheating begin before you're new radiator.... I'd have to wonder if you've got water jacket/passages issues in the head or block...

Hoping it's just a stat, ....that would be GREAT, eh? lol.

Welcome to Yotatech, akar, .... I'll ask around and see if I can't find any info.
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Old Jan 16, 2011 | 10:31 AM
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Kball... Lakewood in the house, eh? SoCal FTW, lol. Anyway, I'm assuming you're meaning that you've never heard of them suddenly closing & sticking there, right? Cuz, I've had a few stick open, over the years(Of course, those were ALL aftermarket stats....Not the OEM ones I've had).
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Old Jan 16, 2011 | 10:35 AM
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Originally Posted by ChefYota4x4
Kball... Lakewood in the house, eh? SoCal FTW, lol. Anyway, I'm assuming you're meaning that you've never heard of them suddenly closing & sticking there, right? Cuz, I've had a few stick open, over the years(Of course, those were ALL aftermarket stats....Not the OEM ones I've had).
SoCal FTW! LOL, yes, I meant I've never heard of one closing suddenly while the engine is still at operating temp. Like you said they usually stick, either closed or open.
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Old Jan 16, 2011 | 10:38 AM
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Thank Chef! I was also thinking about the new radiator as defective also. The only reason the first time it overheated is when the milkshake mix affected the cooling system, which the shake was thick enough to fail the thermostate. After the flushing(75-100 gals of water) the thermostate seemed to be working fine untill now...I will put a new one in and see what happens!

**Is there a additive to clean the cooling sytstem that will take care of any tranny fluid that is still lingering in the cooling system?
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Old Jan 16, 2011 | 11:11 AM
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Originally Posted by akar

**Is there a additive to clean the cooling sytstem that will take care of any tranny fluid that is still lingering in the cooling system?
There are lots of coolant flush products out there.

How old (miles) is the water pump?
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Old Jan 18, 2011 | 05:34 AM
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New thermostate installed....is working great so far! Thanks for all the help guys....
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Old Jan 18, 2011 | 05:43 AM
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Glad you got it working. Still scratching my head about how that thermo failed...
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Old Jan 18, 2011 | 05:55 AM
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Originally Posted by akar
New thermostate installed....is working great so far! Thanks for all the help guys....
Congrats on getting it fixed for cheap. It's nice to see stuff get solved for cheap.
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