Pinhole leak in rear differential

Hello! I am buying a 2004 Tacoma in good condition. The mechanic said there's a pinhole leak in the rear differential but didn't mention cost of repair, or how soon something like that would need to be fixed. Any idea what this means and what the cost of something like this would be? Also, how soon would a repair like this need to be done? The car has been well cared for, single owner, used as a second vehicle for the most part. I'm planning on using the truck for odds and ends as a second vehicle, and it would get moderate use. Thanks!

 

If the proper steps are taken to prepare the metal, it'll be a simple fix by having someone weld it shut.

A concern here is the condition of the frame?

For a vehicle to get as bad as developing a hole in the rear diff tells me the rest of the vehicle could be in just as bad of a shape, if not worse.

Pictures of the frame? Specifically the rear (overlooking the rear wheel) and mounting points for the leaf pack?

If the frame checks out, and it truly will be a second vehicle and if you're getting a good deal on it then sure.

 

As far as I know, it's never been in an accident but I will check. There is no major damage. Here's a pic. Any thoughts?

 

If I can take a look at the frame myself, what should I look for? I'm very new at this!

 

Another pic...

 

It may be worth paying a local shop $150 +/- to put it up on a lift and check it out for you.

 

Will do! Thanks so much. Open to any other thoughts on this vehicle.

 

look for severe rust issues
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/1st-gen-tacoma-buyers-guide.156943/

 

Just read what I posted; I'm literally telling you what to look at.

 

Did he mean a pinhole leak in the 3rd member to the housing and not through the actual metal. If its a pinhole in the metal that is extremely odd

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tacoma-1st-gen-problems.673546/page-2

 

Probably rusted thoroughly and just starting to leak in that spot. Until we see pics of the underside (frame) my money is on this having a great deal of rust issues...

if it's not rusty and there's somehow a pinhole leak in the metal then that would be weird

@pomme post pics of the frame underneath if you can, we can't tell anything about the underside with the pictures posted. And the 3rd member where the leak is

 

He said there may be a pinhole in the line somewhere in the rear differential, and showed the owner a tiny bit of foaming or bubbling. This was told to the owner of the vehicle. I should have been more clear about the leak location, just learning about this stuff.

 

So what line is leaking do you know?

 

Thanks. I contacted a repair shop to request a look-over, but if they can't get to it in the next few days, I'll get a picture of the underside to post here.

 

I don't know which line has the leak.

 

Need pictures of the leak. I don’t know of “the line somewhere in the rear diff”. Does it have a locker? Did the mechanic say a leak in a line “near” the rear diff? That could be a brake line, although I don’t understand why they did not just say “the brake line is leaking”.

Reguardless post a picture of the leak.

 

Ok so sounds like a line leak then and not a leak in the actual axle/3rd member, that's good news.

Pics she posted above show a 5 lug so no locker

 

@rnish The mechanic may have said a line near the rear differential, but I don't know as I wasn't there. Unfortunately, this is all the information I have right now. I'll try get a pic if I can't get it into a shop in the next few days. I can also ask the owner if they know of any rust on the frame.

 

Where's the truck located, in the rust belt or state where they salt roads in winter?

if it's a west coast truck or southwest state then rust likely isn't an issue. Always good to check no matter what though.