Odd leak after 5k mile road trip.

Truck has about 18k miles on it now. Its a 2021, got it in January 2021.

So, i got home last Saturday. And i. The AM had a tiny spot under the truck, not from the AC water drain. Looks like the seal on the driver side front diff/axel. So i opened the diff fill to add fluid, well, the diff was full, diff fluid actually came out of the fill hole. Plugged back up, and looked further, maybe its the steering? Steering fluid is full. Engine oil is full. No leaks till i got home. Last day i drive 900 miles, all highway. I have an appointment at the dealer this week. But its driving me nuts i cant find the issue. I have photos, but i cant imagine they would help.

This post will be annoying for most you read. My answer to me would be, go to a mechanic.

I do have the driver side ecgs bushing, but its been in w my suspension for like a year.

Puzzle.

 

I suppose the obvious question would be how sure are you that the fluid was from your truck and not whoever parked in that spot before you?

 

That’s very interesting. I have a 2021 SR5 that I bought just a few weeks before you purchased your truck. I have 17,200 miles on it as of this morning.

Yesterday after driving it around town for a bit running errands, I noticed liquid dripping from the frame area on the passenger side (basically just behind the front passenger tire). It was a small amount and stopped after a bit. Looked like clear liquid.

 

Air conditioning drain.

 

Thanks! I figured that may have been it. I’m not the most mechanically inclined so I appreciate the info.

 

Because im home in my driveway, and its always clean free of leaking vehicles.

Underneath, crap. But cant fine it.

 

What color is the fluid if you dab it with a white paper towel? Does it have a sulfur smell?

 

No smell. Clear. But the diff and surrounding areas are filthy from it.

 

Looks like an engine oil leak to me.

 

Maybe the dreaded "timing cover."
My mechanic uses oil that has blacklight dye in it. Ill have to find me a blacklight.

 

Put large sheets of “witness” cardboard under the truck.

 

Still under warranty so... let us know what they do to fix it

 

Well, the cover is super clean.

I hate now knowing the issue before bringing it in for work, get less hosed that way. Guess we'll just wait and see.

 

It's under warranty, hard to get hosed if you arent on the hook for it

 

The 3.5L V6 had major timing cover leak issues specially in the earlier years, and it's a big job because the 1-piece timing cover has to come out and no gasket.

 

I think what he’s trying to say is it’s harder to hold the dealer accountable if they say “can’t find a problem” and you don’t actually know what the problem is.

 

Is the second photo showing a crack?

 

In this case it's so egregious I think it's safe to bring in without looking into it too much other than curiosity

 

Ah, gotcha. From your post I thought you might have been on the road somewhere when you first discovered the fluid. Good luck at the dealership!

 

Yeah, that's not a "weep". Do not mention the ECGS bearing although gear oil has a very strong, distinct smell and you said it didn't smell. Is it wet on top of the dif? If not, then I don't see how it can be anything other that the dif axle seal.

And I feel the same way about knowing what the problem is before going to the dealership.