Help!!! -- Big oil leak

Hi,

I posted yesterday thought I have a power steering leak, but I think I finally found where the leak is. Please see the picture below. This line from the top of the radiator is all cracked and is leaking. It is a pinkish oily fluid, so it is definitely not coolant. I can see a much bigger rubber hose (coming out the bottom of the radiator) go to the thermometer and into the engine. This line comes from the top of the radiator. As you can see there is another similar line (I guess it is the return line) that comes out of the middle of the radiator.

I have a 2016 Tacoma Limited without the towing package, so I though I shouldn't have a transmission cooler. Or does all 3rd Gene Tacoma have a standard transmission cooler (integrated with the radiator)?

I really wish they still have the transmission dipstick so that I know exactly where my fluid level is. I should mention that there is a big puddle of this pinkish oil in the skid plate just overnight, so wherever it is; it will be empty very soon. So I am really worried about destroying my transmission.

Also, it seems easy enough to replace this line. Is there anything I need to be careful with? Can I just replace the line and re-fill the transmission fluid (I know I have to monitor the transmission temperature when re-fill it).

Please help!!! Thanks.

Hank

 

Yeah those are transmission lines...judging by the looks of yours the trucks been thru salt water. Mine is a 17 in the rust belt and yet they are still mint must be the fluid film doing its job.

 

Well, I live in upstate NY, so I think this is just from road salt in the long winter we have here. :< Darn it. I can see a couple of other lines have these type of corrosion as well. Do you have any tips of how to replace these lines?

Thank you so much!!!

 

Yes, its fairly standard for auto transmissions go through the radiator. If you are hemorrhaging fluid you can guesstimate the loss and add fluid. Do a proper fill and level check after you replace the hose.

 

Thank you so much!

Is it normal for road salt to corrode the lines like this, or has this truck gone through something worse (can't imagine what it would be)? I just bought this truck 3 months ago, I am worried about being cheated.

 

You guys also have snow and road salt. why do you think my truck is so much worse??? Do you think the previous owner drove in salt water constantly?

 

I believe this is the correct part number for that line but I would check with your local Toyota parts department to confirm.
As there is more than one

You can check your fluid level here (photo above) on level ground engine running transmission up to operating temperature...the fluid should just trickle out indicating full.

The photo below is where you fill the transmission passenger side towards the rear of the transmission up top.

 

From the picture its hard to tell what is actually leaking. Is the metal line cracked? Is the rubber hose cracked? Is the clamp tight? My inclination is road salt did not eat through that line in 4 years. Regardless, to be safe I would inspect all lines (e.g., brake, fuel).

 

Thank you so much!!!

 

Thank you for the recommendation -- as I said before, I do see other line having at least flaking paint. In any case, the whole bottom of the front part of the truck is in rough shape. I thought it was normal from road salt. Darn it! I guess I got robbed with this purchase.

Just for my own educational purposes, what could make this happen? Even if we think the worse of people, how does the previous owner make this happen -- park the truck in salt water all night every night?