wetness around axle

Hey guys, I'm looking at a 2012 Tacoma out of state that seems in good shape, frame seems immaculate, but the mobile mechanic noticed that "The underside has wetness on the axle areas. The engine should be pressure washed off and rechecked to verify source of the leak or all leaks." Photo shown. Anybody seen this or have a sense of what it means and what the solution is? Much obliged.

 

The frame looks like it was recently sprayed with undercoating hiding any rust you may have been able to see. The wetness could be anything from a leaking axle seal to oil dripping off the engine onto it from 20+ possible locations.

 

Does the oil drip off the pan in that direction? Could be a loose oil pan bolt, or just run-off from the last oil change. Of course, could also be your rear main seal...

 

Thanks - how big of a deal is a leak in terms of cost etc from the rear main seal?

 

Rear main seal is a big job. I have a stick shift, and my rear main is leaking, so I'm waiting til I need a new clutch to do the work. It will probably cost a couple grand. But depending on the size of the leak, it may not be a big deal. Just a few drops? Keep an eye on your oil level every week or two and carry on. Big puddles on the ground every day? Probably time to address the problem.

You can do it yourself, but you need to drop the transmission. The seal itself is just a few bucks. Most of the cost is in labor.

 

got it, thanks for that

 

You bet. Good luck. I would definitely see if you can eliminate other potential problems first. A lot of times it comes down to an oil change tech being super sloppy and letting the old oil get everywhere.

And if it's near the axle, definitely look into solutions there first.

 

perfect, that's really helpful

 

Your picture is of the front , not the rear. So are you referring to replacing a front Cv axle seal not the rear main?

 

I brought up the rear main. It can leak into the brush guard and make a mess on the axles. I know because it's doing that on my truck.

But yes, check the CV Axle seal first! Rear main is a big job.

 

From that one dark, slightly blurry picture it's hard to say - but looks like it could be grease from a torn CV boot that's been flung all over the place while driving.

 

thanks - supposedly the previous owner said he oiled the frame regularly - could this result in it looking like that?

 

I wouldn't think so, from the one picture it's hard to tell.

 

I have mine Krown (oil sprayed) once a year and it does look quite a bit like that.

 

ok, good to know, that's helpful

 

so the dealer replaced both front axles. While he had the truck up on the lift, he sent these photos. frame is oiled but these photos show what looks like major rust to me. am I wrong?

 

I’d tap it with a hammer. If rust and black paint flake off or if you find a hole then yes this might be a bad frame. Was the mechanic concerned? The dealer would know major from just surface rust. Replacement if there is a hole (I think 10mm or bigger is considered a major safety problem).

 

Someone JUST undercoated it before they put it up for sale. If it's the asphalt type, it'll just cause more rust to form under it anywhere water can penetrate.

To be fair to the seller, it actually does look like the frame is in pretty good shape and I'd bet it's a replacement, the tag on could be used to verify that.

 

got it. interesting how varying the opinions are on these things. the mechanic said no evidence of rust, and the dealer sent a video of him tapping which sounds fine to my untrained ear, but I can't tell if any flaking happens. the dealer says he's a tacoma enthusiast but who knows. the frame is coated with sprayed on oil by previous owner.

 

Good point on the sticker. That sticker wouldn’t have survived if the frame was trash.