While changing the oil on my 2015 4Runner SR5, with 40k miles, I noticed a lot of fluid/grime on the bottom side of the Power Steering pump.
That was the only dirty area of the engine. I’m not great at identifying fluids, but it seems more like P/S fluid as opposed to motor oil. I couldn’t see any fluid or dirt on the top of the pump or elsewhere. Neither hose connected to the pump seemed to be leaking or covered with fluid at all.
The engine was warm for the oil change, and I noticed the PS fluid was about 3/16” below the min Hot line. I thought for sure this indicated the culprit, but when the engine cooled the PS fluid was right on the min Cool line in the reservoir.
I listened to the bearing/shaft with a stethoscope and it sounded fine.
Any ideas, recommendations or suggestions?