Is this something to worry about?

Hey, don't shoot the messenger. I am just passing on information that most manufacturers pass down to their dealerships. TECHNICALLY a leak is considered where a seal has failed, and fluid forms a drip. Seepage is where fluid "wicks" through a paper/soft seal and causes dampness, but does not form a drip.

Hell I agree that if there is ANY fluid, it needs to be addressed, but when I was working at dealerships, you would not get paid for "seepage" repairs.

 

It's going into Big Two Toyota tomorrow... we will see what they say. My neighbor is a mechanic if they pull some crap I'll let him check it out. He and his wife just had a baby so I don't really want to bother him...

When I was talking to the service man at the dealership telling him what you all said I'm thinking that they wont try to rip me off this time...

It is wet 3/4 of the way around... everywhere except the bottom.. never noticed a spot on my floor ..

The truck sat for a while before I bought it, I dont know if that had something to do with it.

 

Hey Jeff, I forgive you!

Glad your ok!!! I know that can really take a toll on you!

 

haha thanks... I really haven't moved being so sick... i'm just now getting back to normal..

 

^X2

 

My 2010 Off Road, with 47,000 miles on it has no leak or look like that... The diff fluid has been changed twice now, and the stock 'pressure relief vent' (it's not a breather) was replaced with a true breather, and re-located up high, at the end of a tube, to prevent contamination during water crossings.

Hope yours is okay!

 

yeah. worry only if:

you see it starting to get wetter, and maybe a drip form

you check the level with your finger and find it is actually low


no worries on tiny weeps and seeps. My 4runner transfer case has a weep
but never a drip, it's it sticky on the outside from gear oil...the level is at the top and has been for years....
but the weep remains. I just check it once in a while and it might have lost 2cc of fluid over the entire life...nothing of any concern


if you are into projects, go ahead a pop the prop and reseal the pumpkin... 'cuz...technically there is a seepage that is not desirable

 

I know how you feel! I spent a week in the hospital with acute diverticulosis. It was NOT fun.

 

oh!!! probably some more "seepage"?

feel better!

 

To add , make sure they check the differential vent / breather .
I have seen the vents plugged solid and cause seepage as shown in the picture . If it isnt seeping from the diff cover , your axle seals may start to leak .
Everyone is doing the breather mod on these trucks by moving the breather to a higher location .
Keep in mind that everything expands as it gets hot . The additional air needs to go somewhere . If the vent is plugged , the air will find a way out .

 

This has happened to me, excellent point!

 

but the nurses were sexy!!! or could have been the pain meds.. but whew.. they finally got mad at me cause I would push nurse button but only ask for this certain one..lol..they don't like u to use that as a telephone either

 

Snap snap.... back on the subject.... LMAO


Back from the dealer... seepage is normal, vibration is normal... taking 3 phone calls to find out whats going on normal, really crappy customer service NORMAL. Last time for me at that dealer Normal.... Done!

I took more pictures and have in writing.. The service advisor didn't know if they checked the torque or the breather... he will let me know... Ya no call back....

I'm going to clean it off this weekend and keep an eye on it... See what comes of it..

Thanks for all your input, I really appreciate it.

 

This is nothing dude. Just keep an eye on it, and if it's not dripping onto the ground, it's nothing to worry about at all.

My pinion seal leaks enough when the diff is overfilled to fling onto the undercarriage, gas tank, exhaust etc...it's still just a few drops per several hundred miles. It would take years of average mileage to run the diff dry. I look at it as the truck self-rustproofing.

I just check the level every oil change or so and make sure it's good. I have never had to top off between diff fluid changes.

Diffs, trannies, input/output shafts, etc. just seep sometimes. It's the cost of having complicated but convenient machines.

 

Dudette!

LOL

Thanks I will watch it...

 

Hey Just an update... A Toyota field rep looked at my truck, developed a thunk and the rear diff seepage thing... He is replacing the driveshaft, some known issue with the driveshafts that only the field rep can approve ?! Anyone know about that? Truck only has 17+k. Did I get a lemon? :/

 

Am I the only one who thought that sounded funny? lol

 

The gasket is a thin paper type it is porous to some extent worry if you like but it's not an issue.