Unknown Issues... Anyone got an idea?

New to Toyota. Always been a Ford gal.

My '16 TRD Sport Tacoma runs great, but I noticed that when I drive up steep hills and get in higher elevation, my truck begins to smoke a little. It comes from the passenger side and out by my wheel well. When I check under my hood, I'll place my hand over the left side of the engine bay and it's a little heated. Anyone got an idea on what it may be?

Also, my truck's LSD will randomly go on randomly. Anyone got any idea how this shit works and how to fix it?

 

Check the oil level first and keep an eye on it .

 

Do you notice any smell that accompanies the heat?

 

Could possibly be your timing cover chain leaking. Do a quick search here in the forums to see what I'm talking about.

With regard to the LSD coming on, not sure what that could be. The forum search is your friend (obviously), but it could be a few things. Might just need a calibration at the stealership or could need new sensors.

Good place to start might be to see if you have any trouble codes pending in the ECU

 

uphill could possibly be oil in your intake from one of the PCV valves... or an oil drip landing on the exhaust. I asuggest hosing down your trucks engine bat with soapy water, or even better a degreaser.. and I mean get everywhere... rinse it off, let it dry. look underneath, adn on top for anything that could be a leak, take a picture if you see anything suspicious.. then go for a spirited drive up as many hills as you can.. park it.. let it cool (hot exhaust burns suck!), then get underneath, and check for leaks, burn spots on the exhaust, forming drips etc.. with a clean engine it will be fairly noticeable, but you will need a flashlight, and probably pull the engine cover..

 

Left side on hills seems like the oil filler tube might be leaking. Check the base of the oil cap, the bottom where the plastic tube connects is leaking. Remove it and put your oil cap directly on the hole. It fits without the extension. Good luck

 

It kind of smells like between rubber or plastic

 

The next day I changed my engine oil and filter and cleaned my entire engine bay. How do I check my transmission oil levels?

 

How steep are we taking? These trucks, like Jeeps, smoke on inclines.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/smoking-while-on-a-incline.511373/

 

If it coolant, check here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3-5l-rear-water-bypass-joint-leak.651341/

 

Remember the days of having a dipstick? Well, they're simply a memory.

Thankfully, this post here is pretty thorough. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-automatic-transmission-fluid-level-check-diy.547455/

Although, some guys just jam their finger in the fill hole to check. Close enough.

 

6,200 ft. above sea level

 

How hot is your front passenger wheel. Could be red herring but LSD is brake related and you could have a messed up passenger caliper that is sticking. That'll get hot, smell, and smoke.

 

There is no dip stick to check transmission fluid. You need to get the engine up to a certain temperature and then remove a specific bolt/plug under the truck (transmission fluid reservoir) to check the proper level. You can search TW for the exact procedures.

 

Interesting. Mine won't smoke from the exhaust just in the front passenger side and out the wheel well.

 

OK I didn’t understand. I thought you were talking about the truck being on a steep hill.

 

3rd gen Tacomas don't go uphill very well.

 

Could be totally unrelated. Just good to be aware of the incline issue if that’s helpful.


Are you sure your auto-LSD isnt being triggered by actual wheel spin, or is it happening randomly when you have lots of traction?

 

Yeah it's very weird. I'll be at a stop light and once it turns green and its raining, my truck will spin out a little bit and the LSD light will flash and then once the truck jerks the light turns off and the ride is smooth. Is this shit normal? haha. Its kind of irritating smh