EMERGENCY-Diff Fluid Leaking

I rode some dirt trails today and am now noticing that my truck is making a low whining noise when the gears are engaged (not in N or P). I checked it out and noticed the transmission fluid is leaking from the differential area. It's been like this for a few hrs and I know my tranny fluid is low. I'm out of the house tho, and it's 10 miles home. Should I top of the fluid and drive? If so, where is the dipstick and fill hole? Or should I just tow it home? I don't wanna spend alot of $$$ on towing. I still gotta find a way to take it to the dealership. Also, is this covere under warranty?

 

I'm a little confused is it you're transmission that's leaking fluid, or your diff that's leaking oil?

anyways, the tranny is sealed and there's no way you can fill it at home.

 

Well it's bright red fluid, so I'm guessing Its tranny fluid. It's leaking from the bottom of the axle tho..

 

the only way you can get tranny fluid in is to take it to the dealer ship. they have a special tool to do it, you can do it with a sports bottle if you need to, takes a long time.

 

so should I tow it or drive it 10 miles (assuming fluid level is low)

 

it depends, i couldnt drive 3 miles once it started skipping, scared the shit out of me. at a gas station for 5hrs putting some fluid back in.

 

tow it. if its that bad

 

if its bright red, its ATF.

I wouldnt drive it, depending on how much fluid has leaked. I'd load it up on a flatbed and take it to the dealer, if it was me.

 

Same here

 

There is no fawking way ATF is leaking at the rear end. It have travel all the way down the driveline and would be all over the underbody.

If it is thick like syrup it is gear oil from the rear end, if it thinner it is ATF. look under your truck to see if there is a coating of it.

Look to see if you cracked the rear end housing.

depend on fluid loss get a roll back to take home.

 

x2. I shouldn't post somehting on TW when A female is distracting me, I failed to give a complete answer.

K.R.T. is correct, automatic transmission fluid is thin and as I previously stated, BRIGHT red.

Gear oil from the rear end is thick, similiar to the consistantency of warm maple syrup. The two have a very contrasting odor. I trained nose will be able to identify immediately.

 

If you can still type she isn't trying hard enough

 

I don't think you know the difference between a tranny and a diff.

What dealership are you taking it to?

 

Alright, just got home, thank god for my brother's AAA benefits, FREE TOWING!
Im super confused though . The fluid is leaking from the rear only but I'm convinced its tranny fluid (bright red, thin fluid), but I thought tranny fluid would only be leaking from the front.

I was planning on taking it to Toyota of Orange, unless anybody has a better place to go, Im DEFINITELY open to suggestions.

Here are some pics of my truck, currently.

 

I probably dont. Hate to sound like an idiot but auto mechanics, oil changes, its all new to me. Never really cared about any of it untill I got my taco, which I truly care for. Sorry for the confusion but I'm trying to learn it all as fast as possible.

 

thats the thing, its not thick at all, super thin like water with red color. However, my driveline is clean, its only leaking from the rear. I guess I'm just confusing stuff...?

 

Where are you in CA?

 

IM in orange county

 

Can you take a picture of where the drive shaft goes into the tranny?

One of the techs that I worked with just left to go work at Toyota of Orange....

 

Pics of Clean Driveline, Dirty Differential