Leak Cause Opinions

I have a 2019 SR5 with front and rear lockers. The truck has not been driven in a while (long story) and has apparently developed some kind of leak.

does anyone have any guesses based on color and location(front passenger side)? I don’t think it’s coming from the axle itself based on the color and the fact the top of the axle appears damp as well.

 

windshield cleaner?
do you have the correct pink coolant in?

 

Yeah I have pink coolant. That was my first thought as well. I checked the windshield too and it’s a blueish fluid (the one in the picture is more green in person)so it’s not that either.

the power steering fluid looks a smidge low but it doesn’t seem to justify the amount of liquid dripping.

 

Is it brake fluid?
Looks yellowish like brake fluid to me?

 

What does it taste like….

 

Perhaps Freon leak?

 

I kind of think power steering fluid, does any of it make it to the ground or is it what I’d call it seeping

 

This.

If it were gear oil, it'd smell.

If it were coolant (wrong kind) it'd smell and taste sweet.

If it were power steering, well it'd be the wrong kind cause doesn't this truck use ATF like all other Toyotas so it'd be reddish.

 

I forgot to check the brake fluid so I do need to do that. It doesn’t smell as obnoxious as I remember brake fluid smelling though. I’ll check that tomorrow.

 

There’s a good bit on a piece of cardboard. It’s been sitting at a family members for a while and he put a piece of cardboard down underneath. The power steering does look a touch low. It just doesn’t seem to be enough to justify the amount of liquid. It had pretty thoroughly gotten on my skid plate before the cardboard was placed.

 

Go ahead and flush that power steering. You can pull the return hose off the side of the reservoir and stick it in a gatorade bottle. 3/8" vacuum cap to cap it off. Then have someone pour fresh fluid into the reservoir while the steering wheel is turned fully left and fully right. Obviously have the front end on jack stands so the wheels are off the ground. 3 quarts should be enough for a full flush.

 

Update: I checked the brake fluid. No dice. It’s orangish.

I crawled back under the truck and pulled this side to side several times. A large drop of fluid came out that smelled… “smelly”… maybe kind of a burnt/bitter smell. I don’t see anything above it that could be leaking especially considering there was fresh drippage today.

maybe the seal between the transfer case and cv axle?

 

If it stinks, it likely Front differential fluid.
There is a seal, is not too hard to change.

 

Refer to post #8.