Help found a leak!

Well, sure, and that's OK... but it would be a hell of a lot easier to get it to the dealer if you could add a quart or 2 if you had a leak and drive it as opposed to having to get it towed. For some reason I have to keep reminding people that all problems do not occur when you are at home and have your tools, a fluid pump and a warm dry place to work.

 

Most people would check a transmission dipstick as the same way as checking the engine oil dipstick..with the engine not running. So, doesn't matter if it's a sealed trans or not lmao

 

OP, looks like you triggered the dipstick crowd, lol. I, too, wish they hadn't deleted it, but I have come to terms with the loss.

That leak doesn't look terrible. As long as it is just occasionally dripping, you should be fine for a while. Might want to check your center support bearing and make sure the rubber hasn't deteriorated and do that when you do the seal - otherwise, if the shaft is wobbling a bit, it might mess up the new seal.

 

Not all autos with dipsticks are checked under the same conditions, like my old Ford (hot while idling in park). It all depends on how the mfg designed and calibrated the dipstick. You have to read the manual or the dipstick to see how it is supposed to be done.

If I were ever to put one on my Tacoma I'd do the old fill plug method and then see where that puts me on the dipstick, both warm and cold. In any case I am not so concerned about it being a perfect level check more than a leak go-no go test and to have a place to add fluid easily if I ever get another leak.

 

The question is, do we add fluid as needed or fix the problem.

One of those option will require the use of a dipstick frequently.

My leak and your leak might be defined differently.

#AllLeaksAreNotCreatedEqual

 

Does this look like a problem?

 

No, it mostly looks like grease slung from the u-joint which is normal. Although there may be some oil. Could have been from a recent change or a leak. I can't tell from the pic where it might have come from.

 

Just looks like new grease (red) plus some old grease (black) that got pushed out when the u-joint was re-greased. Should be fine.