Any unique age related issues in 3rd Gen 4Runners?

[wp2145]

Hi! I'm a long time lurker and this is my first post.

I am thinking about acquiring an early 3rd Gen 4Runner. I live in the heart of the Midwest (KC) and I expect that any 4Runner I find in my price range will have 150K + miles. I am also making the assumption that what I find will mostly be standard models, not too tricked out, and probably rarely, if ever, used off-road.

I'm sure many parts are approaching the end of their useful life but I am curious if there are any unique age related issues in 3rd Gen 4Runners that I should be aware of?

This forum is a wonder.

Thanks,

Bill

 

[joneseyyy]

Search for "pink milkshake". And also check out the 3rd gen 4runner section of T4r.org. Lots of useful info there.

 

[argonaut]

I have been considering a 4runner of the same vintage. The radiator "milkshake" issue and knowing when the timing belt was replaced were the two big things I came across.

 

[wp2145]

Thanks, that's exactly the type information I was looking for. Thanks for the T4r link as well.

Bill

 

[Martinjmpr]

Even the timing belt is not a biggie since the 3.4 is a non-interference engine.

 

[FLYFISHEXPERT]

The 'milkshake' only applies to Auto transmission...so get a 5-speed!!!

 

[ttora4runner]

I believe Beau is right on the pink milkshake being replated to the auto transmissions.

Also, watch for the ball joints and depending on the year there is TSB out on the fuel sending unit and or the fuel gauge on the cluster going bad.

Yotatech is also another good source for information.

 

[sseaman]

If the basic maint. was kept up the 3rd gens will run for a long time. I would expect if being one with that amount of miles and age to be going through and changing all the fluids, along with plugs, wires and belts. For a couple hundred bucks it will make your chances even better at rolling past 200k and on to 300k miles

 

[Martinjmpr]

I've never heard about a sending unit going bad but I can tell you one of the most common gripes with the 3rd gen 4runner is that the fuel gauge is notoriously inaccurate. Most of them err on the cautious side (i.e. they show you as being out of gas when you still have 1/8 tank) but I have heard of it going the other way, too, i.e. gas gauge showing 1/4 tank but truck runs out of gas.

Best bet is to drive it enough to establish a baseline on fuel consumption or use something like a Scangauge or Ultra-Gauge that measures fuel consumption and can give you a more accurate DTE (Distance To Empty.)

 

[4RunAmok]

Yup, I had the Fuel Gauge go out on the cluster, and this truly SHOULD be a recall item.

The dealer I went to tried to tell me my fuel gauge going to E (below actually) and the Low Fuel Warning light FLASHING was caused by a dent in my fuel tank (I dented it offroading long before this problem showed up) and wanted to charge me $900 to replace it. I went to the local junk yard and picked up a tank that looked brand new for $60 and replaced it, and the fuel sending unit inside the tank at the same time. It didn't fix it.

The circuit board needs to be replaced, incidentally, that PC board also holds the memory for the odometer, and needs to be programmed with your mileage, and the part has to be ordered from Japan, so you have this couple day wait while all the pieces come together, without your 4runner.

Anyway, because I was so upset the dealer tried to get me to spend 900 on something that wouldn't even solve the problem, the service manager did the fix for free for me, in such a way I wasn't without my vehicle. The first guy should have known about the TSB without me telling him about it, it's not MY job to do his troubleshooting.

NOT ALL 4Runner's have this problem, it is definitely linked to specific VIN numbers.

 

[Applejack]

Search for "pink milkshake". And also check out the 3rd gen 4runner section of T4r.org. Lots of useful info there.

Not to hijack this thread, actually it may be relevant, but my question is how many have actually had the "pink milkshake" happen to them? Is it also an issue with Taco's?
The only reason I ask is that I've spoken with tons of people who've had 3rd gens and Taco's and asked what issues if any have they had. A few things come up but no one ever mentions that one.

 

[sseaman]

I have had a dozen friends with 3rd gens, all auto trannys and none of them have had the "milshake" issue

 

[4RunAmok]

I've never heard of it, and I've put 159,000 miles on my 4Runner. (almost 220,000 now)

 

[Martinjmpr]

IIRC the "pink milkshake" phenomenon is pretty much restricted to vehicles that have either been used very hard (i.e. a lot of towing) or hard 'wheeling that damaged the radiator. As I understand it, the stock AT cooler is integrated into the radiator and when the vehicle gets used very hard, or when the radiator is damaged, it can cause engine coolant to get into the tranny and destroy it. The usually recommended solution is an aftermarket AT cooler that is completely separate from the radiator. It's a $59 part that costs (at most) $200 to install, so basically it's a $250 (max) prophylactic to prevent a ~$2500 (at least) failure. Well worth it IMO.

 

[wp2145]

Thanks for the terrific feedback.

I'd prefer to get a 5 speed manual transmission; however, as far as I can tell from the various threads I've read, 5 speeds are not very common. I haven't seen any lately on the local CL.

Bill