Oil Splatter

I have a 2013 Tacoma and I took it to my friends ranch to mess around and by the end of it I had realized there was some oil dripping out the bottom and we took a look under the hood and there had seemed to be oil of some sort splattered everywhere. It’s not motor oil we checked the dip stick and it was clearly full and the color of the liquid was different as the oil splattered looks older where as the motor oil looks yellow and clean. The only other fluid I could think of would be the front diff fluid but the oil splattered up to the point where it hit the hood so not sure. The photos make it seem red like it may be transmission fluid but in person it didn’t seem to look that read. Any help, tips, or anything would be appreciated thank you!

 

Gonna guess power steering fluid since your serpentine belt is shredded.

 

Maybe would the power steering be of that color though?

 

Yes

 

I would say that's coolant.

I'd have to see it in person, Dylan.

Let us know.

 

Looks red and like transmission fluid.
The power steering fluid in my truck wasn't "red" like that when I got the truck.
But it is now, as I used Dex-III

You also have a transmission cooler that is mounted up front in front of the radiator.
It's the small "radiator" looking thing on the drivers side.
You might have a look at the lines going to and out of the cooler all the way to the transmission.

 

Alright thank you!

 

Problem 1, the belt is shredded. Which probably caused problem 2, a leak. LOOKS like an oil of some sort.

Sometimes when a belt goes, it has pieces still holding on acting like a whip. It can cut through all sorts of things. Stand on the side by the fender, look at the belt and pulleys, straight line of sight, then look for what got damaged.

 

Bad luck. Needs to be washed and inspected.

Is the power steering fluid level ok?

 

This makes a lot of sense. Had to leave it at the ranch for now but will definitely be using this info once I get it back thanks a lot.

 

There was someone here that had a belt shred like that and it wrapped around the crankshaft, which ruined the crankshaft seal and caused a huge oil leak.

That does however appear to be transmission fluid or power steering fluid.

 

Agree. Check all fluid levels, especially PS fluid.

It looks like a huge leak, but a small amount of oil can look like a big problem.

 

Looks like been leaking awhle as far as looking at engine..Crank pully rubber looks oil soaked and deteriorating. Maybe crank seal was leaking a while ? red fluid might be a new leak .

 

After looking more closely, I concur with Jimmy. He'll never steer you wrong

You're a good man, buddy!

Thank you for your service, BTW!!

Ya'all be safe out there

 

One of the pullys is out of alignment?

 

Clean and re evaluate.
Watch it so you see any live leaks.

different fluids have different characteristics.
Check various fluid levels to see if any are low.

verify the belt did not shred and get jammed into a seal damaging it causing a leak.

the pan looks red. There’s only two red fluids. P/S ATF and ATF. The P/S system is right there and can leak.

while the ATF system is not really in that area except maybe a hose or two running to radiator for cooling, if it’s an auto trans truck and not manual.

there could be old residual leak residue from something else making this new leak harder to determine.

front diff has 1.5qt yellow sulfur smelling gear oil and should still be inside the front diff unless something major broke.

 

Its a manual so that would mean it has to be power steering then correct?

 

You're correct, sir. If it's "oily" between your fingers, power steering fluid.

I wish you luck, Dylan. Power steering pump & new belt are in order.

Hope it's just the pump, not the rack.

It's not the end of the world, peace buddy

 

yes that would mean the only red ATF you have is in the steering.

also the lines to the reservoir can leak when they dry and stop sealing requiring either replacement or remove and re install them to renew the seal grip.

I’d be more concerned with why the belt looks so messed up, where the rest of it went, and if that damaged anything.

that is definitely a problem I’ve seen happen to German cars when people don’t change the belt or fluids leak on it and damage it. Never heard of anything else cause it like siezing. Then the shredded belt gets sucked into the crank front and at minimum takes out the seal dumping oil which can cause engine damage. Or worse getting sucked into the actual crank area.

belts and riding surfaces must be clean to work so you’ve at least got that to address.

note that reservoir P/S level will change hot and cold. And ATF is thin enough where even a little can leave red film without a huge amount gone from the reservoir.