Odd leak after 5k mile road trip.

Ive had plenty of gear oil on me in the past, i agree, stinks. None here. Im definitely stumped. We'll find out Wednesday. Meanwhile, ive checked all my fluids, all seems good.

 

PS fluid can really spread out. I had a PS leak on my 4Runner and the one area was really wet from it and I swear I never put fluid in it in 3 years. Do PS lines cross over that area? If not then it has to be motor oil assuming you know for sure it isn't coolant either as that also has a very distinct smell. You didn't spill any oil while filling it by chance?

 

Brake fluid ok too?

 

Sounds like you just had your oil changed?
Check on top of the the skid plate.
My first and only oil change I had done at the dealer, there was oil everywhere from the fill; especially on top of the skid plate.

 

Looks like a crack to me.

 

Its not a crack. Its where the diff mounts the the frame.

 

Are you sure Sancho wasnt parked in your spot while you were gone? Sancho is the guy going out the back door when you walk in the front door.

 

Yes, Sancho!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEYN5w4T_aM&ab_channel=SublimeVEVO

And yes Mark, I hope they find whatever is leaking or weeping. Curious what the dealership finds on Wednesday.

 

Just unsubscribed from my own thread.

 

Are you saying Sancho is tailgating his Tacoma?

 

Did you check the breather for the font diff? I had this issue on my 2nd gen. On a random 2 hour road trip I found that my front diff was coated in diff fluid when I got back(very hot day). I did the ECGS and axle seal 20k miles prior so everything was fairly new. I couldn't figure it out for over a week. Drove back and forth to work and no leak. Finally I checked my breather and found that it was stuck shut. Got a new breather and it has been fine ever since.

 

Well! After looking further, i saw the power steering fluid was low. Not a ton, but just enough to notice it.
So i added the lucas power steering stop a leak fluid. Leak went away.

Just got back from the dealership. I need a new steering rack. Manager told me, and actually showed me, they were doing a rack on a non modified 2021 that day, and had to do another one last week. 3 in a row, now mine.

Next week ill get my new rack covered under warranty AND they got me a car to drive, no charge. Ive never been treated so well by a dealership. Also, it DOES help when you're friendly with everyone, remember names, etc.

2021 TRD OFF-ROAD with 18k miles on it, needs a new rack. It was fine till i took it on a 5k mile trip. Got home, small leak. Im glad its going to be covered.

Sancho can eat a dick.

 

Good it was clear problem. Unfortunate the dealership has seen a few of them. Did you do anything on your trip that would have stressed the rack?

 

Nothing i could put a finger on. Last offroad day was like 200 plus miles offroad, but im.not hauling ass or even turning much.

With racks failing on stock trucks, you cant really blame one thing in particular, other than the part.

Manager said its not even something we could take apart and replace a seal.

 

Good to hear it’s just the power steering rack and not the dreaded timing chain cover leak. However disappointing to hear that not one but 3 racks in a row. Great that it's all covered under warranty tho. Thanks for the update.

Lol… yes fuck Sancho.

 

Is he THAT sexy?

 

It’s really good to hear that your troubles are being resolved and that the dealership is working with you and for you, that’s a breath of fresh air

 

I honestly was not hopeful, and was in the waiting room looking up parts online to buy and have my mechanic installed. You never know what a dealership will say. These seem to be some good people.

 

My leak iant in the usual place on the rack. The leak is coming from where the steering goes into the rack. Service manager called me to tell me where it was. Toyota said he has a lift, we wont cover it, all happened today. The service manager told them no way the lift could affect that area, so, its back to being covered. Pretty dopey, but awesome the dealer went to bat for me.

MAY get it back tomorrow. In the mean time im driving a 2022 highlander. Its not a bad vehicle.