Leaking water! Should I be worried?

Sorry, for so many help threads -- I am a new Tacoma owner and has been working on my truck a lot lately due to a transmission fluid leak.

However, during this process, I also found that the passenger side frame has a hole that is leaking water right after I park the truck (seems to stop after a while and the water will be completely dry).


It is right at the front of the front passenger door:


I am pretty sure it is pure water, since I dipped my figure in the puddle yesterday and it is not oily at all. And now it has dried, there is no mark, except some white residue at the edge (I think those are from residue road salt):


Don't mind the small oil spots, those were there before when I did the transmission fluid work.

But from the water mark (with the white edge, it is very clear how big it was). It was quite a bit of water. Does anyone have any idea where it came from? I went under and try to see with a flashlight into the hole, I can't see anything. Could it be from the front tire splash up water on the road? It is highly unlikely from what i saw. Also, yesterday, it was really dry out, I don't remember going over any water, much less a big puddle.

Please help me! I am just wondering whether it indicates something serious? I want to prevent any catastrophic problem if at all. Thanks a lot!!

 

AC drain hose probably... also, clean that frame, if your still getting salt residue coming out your in for a rusty treat in a few years.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/rust-on-frame-with-a-c-drain-mod-fix.444138/

 

Great, thanks, everyone! Yeah, my truck is quite rusted -- the Transmission Cooler tube into the radiator was rusted through and leaking. I live in upstate NY. And I have thoroughly washed my truck (in my opinion anyway) using my garden hose (didn't do a commercial detail) after the last snow. The salt may also be on the garage floor -- since I never cleaned it and cars (before the truck) and the truck park there through the years.

 

Is there any preventative treatment I should/can do now? Again, I live in upstate NY, the snow is crazy and they put down infinitely amounts of salt.

 

fluid film after heavy cleaning brushing or mav coat steel

 

Thanks a lot, will try!

Definitely will spray my new transmission cooler tubes. Also, the power steering tube (I can't believe they don't sell just the metal tube, like they do with transmission cooler tubes; they only sell the whole assembly for >$400), so I will definitely keep spray it and hope that it won't rust through -- it has rusted up pretty good (only slightly better than the transmission cooler tubes that I replaced; I guess because it is a bit further away from the front of the truck and wheels).

Thank you!

 

Thank you, SIR! Will do. This is even cheaper.

 

You can have custom hoses made from your old fittings at most truck/trailer hydraulic shops.

Should be able to anyway.

 

Or just go to the dealer, and have it done for free, with a 12 year warranty.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2020/MC-10174912-9999.pdf

 

Looks more like where the water drains from the cowl.

 

Wow this is great -- has anyone did this with much hassle at the dealer yet, since this notice is just six months ago?

 

It going on now. The following thread shows the letter sent to owners.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2011-2017-frame-coverage-extension.666665/

 

Alright. I haven't received mine yet. Do I go now to the dealership (now that you saw the picture of my rusty frame) and ask them to rust-proof my truck? or do I need to wait until it is become a bigger problem? It seems to be only surface rust now.

 

You have about a 2 year period to decide. You can call the 1-800 number on the letter for more info.

But the longer you wait, the more rust will form, especially inside the frame. I already see internal rust in your pic of the frame where the water is leaking out.

 

Wow, look at that rust

 

I'm in Rochester and the local dealership inspected my 2015 frame last week. It passed inspection, but they recommended the CRC treatment.

The inspection was complementary and no vin or paperwork was required.

They did end up replacing the rust-seized rear differential breather valve, FYI.

 

Ok, that settles it. I am going to the dealer Tuesday. Thanks a lot, everyone!!!

 

Ahh, finally, a fellow upstate NY owner!

How is your frame looking? Similar to mine or much better? Your 2015 truck should be very comparable to my 2016. I just bought this truck 3 months ago -- I am baffled that the transmission cooler tubes already rusted through.

 

BTW, I bought the truck at Auburn, NY Toyota dealership, only 1 hr away from Rochester.