Need help with leak

I think it’s transmission fluid but I’m not the best with auto mechanics. Can anyone help me out or point me in the right direction. Thanks!!

 

After I drive it and stop it does not drip.

 

2017 trd sport 4x4

 

Looks like it might be the front output seal on the transfer case.
2017... is it still under warranty? If so, tell the dealer to fix it.
If you want to diagnose it yourself, you'll first need to clean it really well, then drive it and see where it leaks from.

 

Good advice above.

Before you clean, wipe the wettest area with white paper towel. What color? What does it smell like?

 

Unfortunately it’s not under warranty anymore. I just hit 66k (work truck). I put a lot of miles on. The color is yellow. I just wiped it clean so I’ll get back ASAP with an update on leak location.

 

Yellow ? What does it smell like?

 

Being on the transfer case, it CAN ONLY be from the transmission or the transfer case.
If its an automatic, the transmission will have red fluid. If its a manual, then the transmission and transfer case have the same yellow/gold-ish stuff in them (gear oil).

Its pretty clear from pictures 1 and 2 that it is definitely NOT automatic transmission fluid. Its for sure from transfer case or MANUAL transmission (if so equipped).

 

The transmission is Automatic. Attached is a picture of color and where I believe it’s leaking from. Still may be to soon to tell. I’m also still working so when I get off I can get it cleaner for a better diagnosis/I may have originally cleaned the wrong spot.

 

Indeed not ATF. Not engine oil. TC most likely as stated.

On my phone cannot get full glory of pictures so I am at a bit of a disadvantage.

 

That is definitely not clean enough to help. Looks like all you did is wipe off the bottom of the skid plate. You need to get in there with engine degreaser and a scrub brush, and finish it off with soap and water, and COMPLETELY CLEAN **all** of it. Also do yourself a favor and remove that little skid plate from it -- don't worry, none of the bolts on it have oil on the other side.

 

All of that seems to be centered around the transfer case drain plug. I'd give that a turn of a wrench to verify torque. If it's a little loose, that may be the source of the leak, in which case I'd do a drain and refill with a new crush washer.

 

After cleaning the above would be the first thing I’d do.

 

I'm about 60% confident that it is NOT leaking from the drain bolt. Reason is that it is obviously wet with oil both above, beside, and ahead of the drain bolt. If the drain bolt itself was the source of the leak, it would drip down from there and off the truck. OP also mentions that it doesn't drip when sitting still, which is not consistent with a drain bolt (would persist).

Remember that there are two things that are going to force the oil to move around from the source;
1) gravity,
2) wind.

Gravity will pull the oil down.
Wind will pull the oil BACK (not towards front, unless he drives really really really fast in reverse).

If the drain bolt was leaking, it would just drip straight down to the ground.

 

This would be 100% accurate if the truck wasn't moving and heat wasn't a factor. Heat makes the oil thin and the surface tension between the cast aluminum parts and oil makes it seep in different directions including forward and up. I recently replaced a transmission oil pan gasket on a BMW that was pinched at the rear driver's side and oil was seeping all along the gasket to the front of the pan and even a little on the opposite corner from the origin of the leak. Driving wind (which you addressed) then moved the oil down the opposite side of the pan. My point being that the oil will walk a bit and not always clearly indicate it's source.

I could be wrong though and the oil could be coming from elsewhere, that was just my educated guess since I have some experience in the matter.