Can you help me identify this leak?

Hi Gang,

Just bought an 04 Taco Quad Cab TRD. Got it from a used car dealer. They are a good bunch of guys. Truck is in good shape, and I am happy so far.

Crawled under the truck to have a look around, and spoted this:





What is the cause of this leak?

What needs to be done?

Is it serious?

Thanks for any advice!

David

 

Looks to be the power steering rack area?

 

Could be the rack or maybe a leak from back of engine (valve covers)

Hopefully not a main seal, I've got a simliar dribble & traced it back to rear valve cover on pass side, as with all leaks they need to be tended to, maybe not an emergency but don't let it go too long...

 

First, determine what type fluid? Looks to be power steering fluid and it looks to be coming from the rack and pinion. $300 and replace. Either way in that botoom pic the the rack bushing doesnt look good so id be replacing that also. You can get a set of polyurethane ones from energy suspension or wheelers.

 

Looks like power steering fluid from the rack unit.
Keep an eye on the PS fluid level, if it's not leaving drips where you park, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

It looks like it could be your ps rack leaking. I'd pull the belly pan off and see if you can locate the source of the leak. It looks like the pan could just be catching the leak and draining it under your power steering rack.

Like others have said, see if you can determine the type of fluid. Our trucks use atf for the ps steering, btw. Other than that, get that belly pan off and see if you can figure out if the leak is just coming from the ps rack or elsewhere.

 

Or could b run off when you changed your oil filter?

 

Oil run off wouldnt be spread all over the top of the rack, i changed my oil for years at quick lube places and never had anything like that. Few drips for a day or so but thats it. The truck looks to be from up north somewhere and a lot of times corrosion will eat the rack up behind that big bushing.

 

Ya that's a ps leak. Take that skid plate off and look around taco to has a good point

 

definitely on both, you can see from the pic very slight fluid spreadage on top part of rack, but basically gushing at bottom side....bushings are toast for sure, you can see the splay is real bad in pic....fluid levels in PS pump have to be getting critical....

rack replacement, new bushings, as long as you are at it, inner and outer tie rods, I am sure they probably need replacing too, may as well, you are going to have to disturb them for the repair...

 

OP, did you get that skid plate off and see if you could find the source of the leak?

 

OP discovered how much the rack is , sold truck.........


Dont listen to me I'm full of shit, but those racks aren't cheap tho' & kinda pain in the ass to R&R I'm told

 

Guys,

I just dropped off the truck at the garage where I bought it. They are going to take a look at it and tell me what they think.

I have a 6 month warranty.

On another note, the "Check Engine" light came on a couple of weeks ago so the garage re-set it. They said to make sure to tighten the gas cap when filling up. I know that, and am pretty sure I had been doing that. They re-set it, and it came on again at the next fill up. Then just this morning as I was taking the truck to the garage, the light went off. The weather is much cooler here today. Not sure if that has anything to do with it. Thoughts?

Thanks guys,

David

 

See all above for leak, but i would get the codes for what the ecu is sending.
Dont let them bs u about the gas cap. Find out what is causing the error code.
Let us know how u make out. Good luck.

 

Ya know what guys ?? I thought the gas cap throwing a code was bullshit too but turns out I had to change mine & hasn't thrown a lean code since

 

This. I had the same thing happen and it's been a year since the last code. The one that was on it when I bought the truck was missing a valve or something so the fuel system pressure integrity was compromised.

 

Hi Gang,

The garage told me that it is a leak in the rack. They are going to fix it.

A previous poster said that the bushings and tie rods looked shot as well.

Can they fix this leak without replacing the bushings and tie rods? I wonder if I should offer to pay for the tie rods if they are going to be able to do this job and not replace them. Thoughts?

Meanwhile, the "Check Engine" light is still off. I tend to think it is weather related. It has cooled off here in New England and there is less expansion of the gas tank? Just a guess.

Thanks guys,

David

 

You will have to order the bushings from wheelers or ES. Toyota only sales the big bushing under the clamp. I wouldnt reinstall it without new bushings. Tie rods can be done later at anytime. I would guess the are gonna pull the rack to fix it, may as well do inner and outer tie rods and bushings while it is out if they are indeed worn.

 

Bushings are shot, if you don't replace them when the rack is repaired/replaced, then you will have mucho play in the steering, it will not track right....the tie rods can be done at a later date, however, once the rack is repaired, the very least would be a toe adjustment and center steering wheel sequence...

Tacos eat up tie rods for lunch, even more so if you wheel....may as well, that way when it is all done you can worry/upgrade other things...

 

dont get a short rack, get a napa with tie rod ends too that way you save yourself time