Front Differential leak?

I noticed a spot on my garage floor the other day, about the size of a baseball. Took the skid plates off the front end and noticed this coming from the front differential drain plug:


I took it to my Toyota dealer who kept it for 2 days, insisting they couldn't find anything of concern (even after telling them exactly what to look for). The truck has 3200mi.

Its a slow leak, most likely doing this for most of my two months of ownership.

Eager to hear your thoughts on fixing or if this is some sort of thing that may be due to overfilling at the factory?

 

Do you have a torque wrench?



If so, you can tighten, wipe up any traces and reassess.

 

Yeah I can get a torque wrench. The dealer yesterday said they tightened everything up and cleaned it off. I backed it into my garage instead of pulling in so I could see if I can get any drips that will be easily noticeable.

 

That's for the fill plug. The drain plug is different. It's more. I forget how much more, but it's more.

 

Drain is 48 ft-lb on 3G. Plug looks exactly the same along with copper washer so I'd bet it's the same on 4g. The fill torque spec is the same too.

If plugs are indeed the same, you'll want to get the Lexus replacements. I just did this on my 3g last weekend.

 

Thanks. Sloppy me. OP here is the real number:

 

When I did my first oil change I noticed the front diff drain plug had some oil weeping out as well. It was very minimal. I’ll monitor it and probably buy those Lexus plugs posted above. Thanks @Smacky2020

 

Yeah mine is very minimal as well, more of a weeping that maybe drips here or there, I'd say that baseball sized spot on my floor was probably over the course of the whole 2 months I've had it.

 

I just bought the drain plug from https://209yota1.com/ for about $20 shipped and a diff gasket kit off Amazon.

 

Maybe update your profile to reflect the new wheels. I was thinking that an '18 with that low mileage would be pretty rare.

 

Good point haha. Done.

 

Would this work for the washer inside?

$14 GENUINE TOYOTA GASKET KIT FOR TRANSFER AND DIFFERENTIAL SERVICE

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017V4BAXI

 

If you are noticing it still don’t change it yourself take it to another dealer and have it repaired under warranty . It’s either the plug is bad or washer . Either way don’t do it on your dime u have a warranty put it to work . .

 

Yep

 

I used these for much cheaper and no leaks:

Rexka 12pcs Transfer &...

$6 Rexka 12pcs Transfer & Differential Service Gasket Kit Compatible with Toyota Lexus 4Runner Land Cruiser Tundra Tacoma FJ Cruiser Highlander RAV4 Sequoia Sienna 1215710010 9043024003 90430A0003

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CJHTDVV?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

The drain washer is the large copper one. There is no back/front with it.

I agree with letting your dealer fix it. The minute you touch it, it becomes your problem.

 

Any speculation as to why Toyota still uses the hex drain and filler plug? The Lexus plugs are really a no brainer and I can’t see this as being a cost cutting measure.

 

Maybe the bolt just wasn’t tight. When I bought my old 3rd gen I noticed the bottom of the transfer case was wet with gear oil, made no sense truck was brand new with 30 miles. I washed it off with brake cleaner and 6k miles it never “leaked” again. Was baffled by it honestly.

 

Trade that POS for a Canyon. I kid, seriously tho fully redesign Toyota and the hardware already needs to be replaced with better hardware from Lexus?

 

Looks like the copper washer wasn't fitted properly and caught on the lip on the housing. Yeah, that would cause a leak. That is from someone too much in a hurry to check his work.

 

Not backing in originally was ur first mistake