Is this something to worry about?

I just noticed this on my 2010 Taco Off Road with 15000 miles... It has been at the dealers for oil changes and a brake adjustment. Can't say I am pleased with the dealer tho'. So I figure I would ask you all...

 

did you just notice it? was it like this when you bought it?... do you know if they did a diff flush?

 

I'm sure its not a good thing... but i'm curious for an intelligent answer, I had that but alot worse on my 1990 pickup.

 

blowing out the breather?

 

Your pumpkin looks pretty wet and dirty.....ant off road puddles? drain and refill ...very cheap to do and easy.....look at fluid.... also should b under warranty

 

seems to be a common problem
but lucky for you you are under warranty
mine leaked but has since stopped or its out of fluid now

 

Yeah noticed it today, I bought the truck used in Aug '12 with 8500 miles on it. It has been to the dealer 2x, both times I had asked them to go over everything...
I'm sure the only thing that has been done to this is oil changes.
No off roading for me yet, but is has been raining..

 

I have a 2010 also.. and I am wanting to say mine did this but it was only after I did the diff flush.. but can't remember.. in A.M. ill take a look at mine.. worst case I would take it either to dealer or someone you trust and get them to check it.. and see if you have a true leak from bad seals or just a random seep that has stopped..

 

From your picture quality, it just appears to be seepage. If it were mine, I would not worry about it. You could maybe ask them to re torque the carrier, but I doubt they would replace the seal. You can have them notate it in the history so if it does happen to drip later in its life, then there is a record of it in the history under warranty. Also, like stated above, look up top at the breather to see if its wet. I kind of doubt the fluid would track that direction, but it's possible.

 

OK Thanks!!

Not a big fan of the local dealer... they left a nice scratch on my hood after I had asked them not to wash it... I didn't notice it right away, so didn't feel like having a fight on my hands about it. But I did get an extended warranty so if it is covered, I'll have them do it while I wait.....

 

Thanks for the info... I will do that! I'm sure it helps when I know what Im talking about, they will be less apt to give me a line of BS...

 

Lynn.. I am so so sorry I never responded w/ pics or follow-up comments.. I came down w/ contagious bacterial gastroenteritis that night and just got out of hospital not long ago...

 

Looks like seepage. Not good.
Does it go the whole way around?

 

Which dealer is it?

 

Most manufacturers consider that seepage, and not an actual "Leak". Depending on the shop, some places will not even touch it, stating that it is not a "leak".

 

Is it a leak ? or does the fluid have anywhere to go once the oil and gearing warms up ?
Was it overfilled ?
remove drain plug and let it drain down to bottom of plug .
Is the vent plugged with mud and cant exhaust any pressure ?

 

It may leak later, out of warranty. You could make a big deal out of it, and maybe get it fixed now. On the other hand, remember that fixing it will involve pulling most of the rear axle assembly apart. The guy who will be doing that will be getting paid a contracted warranty rate to do the job. He may do it well, or he may cut corners. If he cuts corners, problems may result way down the road, you will never be able to prove that the differential failure at 90K was due to a mechanic getting dirt into the diff at 15K.

If it was mine, I'd try to get it documented, incase it becomes an actual leak later.

 

Without leakage there wouldn't be seepage

 

I would have them replace the gasket if its seeping or leaking. Seeping may be normal to some, but its not designed to seep!

 

Clean the diff. Spray on a talc leak detector. You will see if it is a seep/leak, or something else.