Hello all I am new to the forum and not the most mechanically inclined person, but I am learning more about vehicles each day I spend on this earth. Here's my quandary. My '99 yota 4Runner recently decided that it no longer wanted to go into gear. After having it towed to my mechanic, I was informed that the radiator has leaked into the transmission fluid.. I now am faced with the decision to do the following. 1) replace the radiator and flush the tranny to see if the tranny is shot ~$800 estimate or 2) bypass the radiator and flush the tranny to see if the tranny is shot... ~$200. The vehicle has 160K and is in fairly good shape, needs a bit of body work by the rocker panels. I would greatly appreciate any and all feedback if people have experience or opinions about the likelihood that the transmission is shot.

Thanks Aaron

 

You need to search "toyota 4runner strawberry milkshake."
This is a very common issue.
Have the radiator replaced. Use a high quality aftermarket transmission cooler separate from the radiator. Have trans flushed. Keep on trucking.

 

or 3) replace the radiator and add a tranny cooler. This was my solution before the dreaded milkshake hit.

 

Dont waste money on the flush. Look for a transmission.

None survive the milkshake for long.

Your trans is a goner. either now...or very soon. Its got the aids now.

 

What kind of money are we talking about for a new Tranny & radiator? I'd say that I'm probably not going to spend over $1000 on fixing this thing.

 

Sorry I was the one to tell you reality. Find a local used one and install it.
Only way to stay under 1000.

Dont give up on your runner for $1000. Unless its a turd already.

That trans temp guage would of come on during this catastrophe....and you drove it with it on. Didnt you.....?

 

How does your solution differ from mine any?

 

No my check engine light is on from an o2 sensor. There was no transmission heat sensor light that came on. This whole thing began in the frigid cold up here in Maine. The symptoms began with the right rear wheel being locked/ not turning in 4WD. This occurred and then finally started driving after a little way ( I was driving on snow covered road and the truck was moving sideways until it reengaged). Yesterday AM the same thing seemed to occur and then there was a significant pause before the truck would shift into/engage in drive. Then the vehicle would no longer drive in reverse. Reverse eventually engaged. My mechanic ended having to tow it down to his shop bc it wasn't driving.