Leaking pumpkin!

I read threw some other threads pn this topic but none were helping me so i decided to post my first thread on the site.
Basically i looked under my truck to check out my shocks and noticed a stain forming. After looking closer it seems my pumpkin is leaking fluid, and i cant tell where its leaking from, there might even be a hole from rust. I dont know much about cars but im freaking out over this! ive ha the truck no more than 5 months ! Ive been trying to read as much as i can about the subject but i figured id ask the TW experts for some advice on where to go from thais point. here are some pics




Any help is much appreciated thank you!

 

If it's leaking it's coming from the fill plug. Remove the fill plug and wrap it in teflon tape for a quick fix.

 

Should i refill i while its open?

 

X2. Looks like the fill plug is the origin of the mess...

 

The 'full' level would be when fluid starts coming out of the diff, the fluid you see there might just be from a recent change from the previous owner. Wipe it all off and drive 50 miles or so and see if there is any noticeable new fluid coming out.

 

Get a new plug and applicable washer if any. If no washer use the teflon as previously mentioned. Also, you can check if it's low and refill as necessary.

Clean the outside of the pumpkin thoroughly. You want to have a benchmark to refer to for when you check periodically until sure it's stopped leaking.

 

Thanks guys! Much appreciated

 

yea, as others have said, get a can of brake cleaner and clean it very well, then drive, look for where its leaking (99% sure from the plug) and put a new gasket on the plug or some tape on the threads. i would change out the plug for one of the magnetic ones

 

Yeah i cleaned it good and it looks like that plug is leaking. Where can i find a magnetic one?

 

Nvm i think i found some online.
For anyone who reads this afterwards the part numbers are:

90341-18021
Drain plug

$15 12157-10010 Toyota Oil Drain Plug Crushable Steel Gaskets Set of 10 OEM 12157-10010

12157-10010
Gasket

 

So i pu in a new plug And its still leaking...

 

Mine was leaking too one time. The gasket had gone bad. A local shop sealed it up for 40 bucks IIRC.

 

Got a new crush gasket and drain plug, wrapped it in teflon tape and it still seems to be leaking.

 

Your first picture looks to me like you're leaking from the top area.... maybe the vent?

If it leaked at the plug, there should be no oil above it, but there is.

.. that's how I see it, YMMV.

 

Mine started leaking from rusting through the back cover. I wire brushed it, found a pinhole, JBwelded it, then painted. Hasn't been leaking since (8 months) If it gets bad again I have my eye on this - http://www.barnes4wd.com/Small-Toyota-Heavy-Duty-Differential-Cover_p_228.html

 

That second photo shows what appears to be a small crack in the housing, just above the fill plug. Do you have a new photo of the housing all cleaned up?

 

I see a hell of alot of corrosion/rust, some mentioned seeing a crack as well , don't know how mech. you are but I'd start by getting some aerosol carb/choke cleaner or brake cleaner (reason for this is to strip any petroleum based shit (like diff/gear lube) off & around the filler hole area plus it dries quickly, then get ya some safety glasses & maybe a med./semi course wire wheel on a cordless drill & start knocking that shit off till you can at least see if theres holes/cracks in what seems to be an obvious corrosion area, does the rest of your under carriage look anything like that ??

 

HA! didn't see this....do what he did for starters

 

Its pretty bad under there in some spots, i live in a area where we get a gold amount of snow and its by the ocean. Ill clean it up and take a
New picture, but unfortunatley i dont know a thing about welding

 

JB weld FTW!