2016 TRDOR Power Steering Pump leak?

Have 59,500 miles on truck, been problem free. Noticed my power steering fluid reservoir level dropped from “hot full” to “hot min”. I look at all fluids at least every month and do my own maintenance (oil, grease, trans fluid, diffs). I noticed a fluid leak on one of power steering hoses at a fitting connection. Also noticed leakage on front of engine towards the engine center. My engine oil level is not dropping. I assume power steering fluid that leaks will be sprayed on engine by fan air flow. Anyone had this issue? Is it likely the power steering pump seals or just a hose fitting? I have the Platinum extended warranty good until March 2023 and 100,000 miles. The non-covered items seem to be wear items like brakes and belts. Have appt at purchase dealer Monday at 730. Hope easy fix without getting into engine. Pics below. I just ran thru some water which shows on lower part of engine in pic with hose in view. So that’s not power steering fluid. You can see the seepage of fluid on hose at fitting.

 

at best they will have to order part, that's if they don't try and say is not covered. keep us advised.

 

Thanks. The Platinum Service agreement excludes wear items and interior stuff. It also excludes heater hoses and tubes and vacuum hoses and tubes. All other factory supplied components related to function appear to be covered. I’ll find out tomorrow. I was given the Service Agreement by Toyota for complaining that my front differential was low on fluid by about 40% (less than a full quart with 1.5 quart capacity). I checked all the diffs and transmission after hearing about the transmissions with tow package being under filled from factory. I’ll respond here after my service visit tomorrow.

 

Do Gen 3 Tacoma’s have a history of valve cover gasket leakage? I have some residue on front of engine on passenger side adjacent to power steering pump but toward engine center. I’m hoping this is just power steering fluid that leaked or got blown by fan to this area then covered with dirt/grime. It looks like it will clean up easily with engine cleaner but I won’t clean it until this power steering leak is resolved first. I don’t think there could be more than 3 ounces of fluid between the “hot full” and “ hot min” levels. I assume the pressure from pump is very high going to the rack. If so the leakage is likely to be a mist but it can’t be a large leak and I know I caught it early because I check my fluids monthly. Seems unlikely but am wondering IF could possibly have a power steering fluid leak and a valve cover gasket leak. My oil level is fine and my truck doesn’t use any oil when I change it. I capture and measure each oil change.

 

More likely a timing cover engine oil leak you're seeing.

The P/S fluid is likely in your steering rack boots. Check each boot to see if they are wet and full of oil.

Both are a bear to do, technically you remove the rack to do the timing cover.

 

Good to know. My power steering pump is covered in grime as if some fluid got on it then covered with dirt. I also see fluid leaking down the hose right at the word YOKOHAMA (hose brand). It is visible in bottom pic above. I’m hoping the leak is near the pump and not from rack. Isn’t the rack on the bottom? There is nothing dripping from engine on garage floor but with small leak it has the deposit on every surface it runs across before it would drip

 

The rack boots hold the oil in. They are supposed to be dry.

 

I just did a search on timing chain cover leaks for 3rd Gen Tacomas. Sounds like the repair is 12 hours or more and upwards of $3000. A lot of 2016 (mine) and 2017 models. Has this issue been fixed on the later 2018-2023 models? This sounds like a major issue. Perhaps a design error of incorrectly applied seals and adhesive?

 

It’s present in current model years as well. There are instances, in same cases, that it will return after repaired. Anything and everything can fail. Some things just last longer than others.

Keep an eye on it. Understand that a weep / seep can be concerning, but it is not a leak. Most techs are instructed (at the dealer) to monitor, document them. If there are actual leaks, they get addressed. If your TC is to blame, you can and will most likely see it all over the PS pump. It’s possible you are indeed having two separate issues, sadly.

The good news? You caught it sooner than later.

 

Just left dealer service. Their head Tech said it was timing chain cover leak. He attributes power steering level drop , between min and max levels to winter temps but said they would check rack boots. The leakage on the power steering hose is oil he said. They need to get approval for repair from the Toyota Service agreement people. I think it is different time zone than me (East) as they are not open yet. The most troubling aspect of this first visit is the Tech said my truck isn’t the first one (known issue) and their procedures call for removing the engine! That sounds excessive to me and almost guarantees problems from being that intrusive. I can’t believe they really will remove the engine but I can believe they charge labor for claiming it. There is a former Toyota Tech on Utube that described the repair and he said it was labor intensive but removing items in front of engine like radiator. I’ll update as I hear more. Obviously I am leaving the truck at dealer. I am very disappointed with this quality issue. My 1999 Tacoma went 18 years without a problem (just maintenance) and I gave it to my son who is still driving it.

 

The Dealer contacted Toyota Financial (Platinum Service Agreement issuer). The culprit is the timing chain cover seal leaking. The repair was authorized after a complete list of parts and labor was provided. I’ll probably get the truck back Thursday. They say the engine will be lifted. I guess that means the hood will be removed ? Anyway, parts included new oil and filter cartridge which makes sense if the oil pan is removed. I almost dread inspecting it when I pick it up. Seems like a lot of things could be messed up? Glad it will be covered by the warranty however. They said nothing appears abnormal with power steering fluid flow path. I guess if still at “min” marks that is possible. I am almost positive that reservoir is rock solid at the “hot max mark” every time I check while running. I’ll have to keep an eye on it after this repair. I’m not gonna top it off so I will know if it keeps dropping.

 

Some shops remove the engine, some don't.

I leave it in and remove the front diff and steering gear.

It's an awful job, but I'm glad your warranty paid off. It's always a gamble.

 

truck back that soon, you lucked out.

 

Thanks. I thought the fact that my Platinum Service Agreement had “Toyota Financial” on it and it was obtained through Toyota Customer service that it was like a factory warranty. It is not like the original factory warranty. Until they submit the costs and approved it is still uncertain. The Service Agreement phone is not on East Coast time (my time zone) so I didn’t know if it was covered until all that got worked out.

 

It will be fine
They usually make the more experienced techs do it. Believe it or not lots of people just v6 clean the area and drive it that way and monitor it . It’s a very slow weep or leak usually It’s really not an earth shattering thing . It’s a lot of work but they way things come apart today if the person working on it is good it should be no issue . People freak about removing an engine but actually that’s the best way to fix it properly because the area will be right in front of you. It’s important to clean the area well and

 

Being told today by dealer service that they are swamped and it may now be Friday or Saturday to get truck. I think they are hesitant to commit a Technician to such a long job

 

I have a slight weep that has covered my p/s pump. Speaking with my master tech of 20 years at Toyota (I am an employee at a Toyota dealer), he said that he has seen the pressed in ball bearing in the head start to weep a little right above the p/s pump, and he has seen leaking at the 't joint' where the timing cover meets the block and v/c. Either way it is a pain in the butt to fix. Best option is clean the engine thoroughly, add some dye, and just watch where it comes from. I will probably clean it up and just RTV or JBweld over the ball bearing and pray to the oil leak gods that it is not the timing cover because nobody has time for that mess.

 

some here say the leak is so slight they just wipe it off every now and then and roll with it. if your warranty covers it then maybe consider fixing it. need to ask the dealer how many they have done, you don't want to be the first.

 

We haven't done but maybe two because of the amount of labor it takes to make the proper repair. No TSB's exist yet for this particular oil leak situation and it's not bad enough for me to care...yet

 

Dealer service now saying my truck won’t be complete any earlier than Monday, 1 week from dropping off. Hood off, engine out, parts everywhere. For you guys that are familiar with this level of tear down (remove engine), is it likely the truck will be reassembled like it was when I brought it in? No loose engine Mounts, no funny noises in driveline, no leaks (other than timing cover ). I have meticulously maintained this truck. A positive , although minor, all the coolant and oil is being replaced.