Questions Regarding Manual Transmission and Transfer Case

I'm taking the Tacoma to the dealership soon to have them diagnose and fix a leak problem as show in the picture below circling in red





I have very limited understanding of what I'm looking, please bear with me if I don't describe correctly.

From what I can see, there are 3 parts of the huge drive train that I used 3 different colors of arrows.

What is the green arrow pointing at? It looks pretty clean to me.

What is the orange arrow pointing at? The area next to the yellow arrow pointed has some signs of leaking.

What is the yellow arrow pointing at? it looks like it has the most of the leaking happening, probably not where the leak originates due to gravity.


So far the truck drives normal, 4WD system can engage properly.
Does the yellow component share the fluid with the orange component?
If I only use 2WD, not putting into 4H or 4L, can I still safely drive the truck until my repair appointment?

Thanks in advance. I'd like to learn to describe the problem well so that when I do talk to the service advisor I don't sound like I have no clue. Much appreciated!

 

Green is the bell housing and clutch.

Orange is the manual transmission.

Yellow is the transfer case.

The MT and T case do not share the same fluid. The MT has MT fluid and the T case has one liter of specific fluid for the 3rd Gens.


You should have no problem driving it if it is a weep. If there is a puddle of fluid on the ground, then no.

 

I’m on my phone but not seeing a leak?

Edit: or is all you wanted help with a parts ID?

 

It looks like a weep to me.

Toyota tossed out the attached weep versus TSB.

 

You the man Tony, I haven’t seen that thx for posting.

A “weep” or “seep” gets documented and a leak repaired. Good luck to you OP! Definitely get the dealer involved and the process started.

 

Thanks!


It would have been helpful back in the rear diff weep days. Haha!

 

Thanks, I'll then tell the dealership that I saw fluid forming weeps near the MT and T-case

 

Sounds good!

Good luck!

 

Mine whole underside has always been so coated with FF I'd never notice until it started howling lol

 

here is a close up



looks like a droplet size leak

 

Oh yeah lol there it is, definitely

Looks a little more than a weep but you are fine to drive I'd wager

 

At least it looks sparkly clean.

I have a bit of howl, but it is really subtle.

One thing is a that there is a newer howling TSB. Toyota said that they traced it to a harmonic resonance in the suspension.

 

Good pic, but be prepared for them to call that a weep / seep.

 

Anything else I should know about that's wrong with my damn truck!?

 

That's not right.

Reminds me of Subaru saying it's OK for their engines to burn anything under x amount of oil per x amount of miles - and it was A LOT. To me any fluid bypass on machines surfaces is a defect and with today's tolerances, materials, and sealers isn't ever OK on a new vehicle.

That said, you're probably right but at least it's documented if it progresses.

 

Hahahaha!

When on TW:!

 

Does that change how they treat and proceed with the repair whether they call it's a weep, seep, leak?
I only just want it to be dry and clean and stay dry and clean for a long time

 

I hear you there. I would consider that a failure also, but the dealers can be a bit too picky.

From my recollection 1qt every 3k is acceptable. I am so thankful that our XT doesn't use any oil, but oil contamination for the recommended 7,500mi OCI has ruined two VVT sensors, taking the ECU with it.

 

Like @Natetroknot said from looking at the TSB, weeps and seeps are documented, but not repaired. Leaks, per the pics in the TSB, are defined as valid repairs.

Just being honest, but these examples look like yours:



Versus:



You never really know though. Just arming you with info.

 

I believe you are correct. And what was their recommended OCI? How many Outback owners are perfectly fine keeping quarts of oil around to check and add 2-3 times between oil changes?

That was an awful way to treat their owners and it went on for years in several models since they have such a common platform.

I hate to see Toyota toeing the same sort of customer service line.