2013 LTD Rear Differential Leak at drain plug
- Thread starter twoburgers
- Start date
at a later time the fluid will require changing , that could be a problem if you keep the vehicle .
Auntie Soshul
New member
????
I think the dye and lube should be drained out per spec and the diff refilled with proper lube only . The dye in not for long term use, its a chemical that effects other things in the oil. This will also confirm the repair was done correctly in reguards to future lube changes.
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using dye made for leak detection is used in many systems . engine oil /coolant/transmissions/air conditioning systems.
the thing is only small amounts are used which has no effect on the components . with gear oil that would probably take any type of leak detection dye and have no issues at all.
using a black light and if its a small leak it will show. not sure why they used dye in this diff leak seams to be obvious where it was leaking . now if it where an ac refrigerant leak I can see using it .
when I service ac systems I add these leak dyes , helps to see if there is a leak quickly rather than find out when it fails .
I totally get your points and agree , but here me out , it seems odd they would use dye at all and we have no idea how much was used because this is a uncommon use of it , If they used a dose for a engine oil leak or tech said more is better to help find the leak it could well be overdosed and that could lead to a problem . Also it is shop sop to remove contaminated dyed oil when leak is confirmed. Also this answers question of thread repair.
I can understand the average person using a whole bottle of dye to see if it leaks , but are toyota tech's that bad ? I hope not.
what's great about the UV dye 1 OZ is all you need for an engine oil leak. the black light reveals this with even the smallest of leaks like those ac refrigerant leaks .
diff gears are solid if the oil is clean . when the metal wear particles build up in the oil , then the teeth and bearings get worn . On my vehicles I replace these gear diff oils every 40K . never had gear failures in 40 plus years. use magnetic drain plugs .
No , I have no faith in dealer work. There work and words don't match the results . I question that. They put in dye and it had no leak but the plug is changed ? All suspect to me.
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I would be concerned if they filled it properly .
if its under filled it won't leak.
twoburgers
New member
It's not over 'til it's over...
I stopped by the dealer (McGeroge) today to have them see if the dye was visible. In speaking with the service manager that the leak had stopped (totally dry with my finger after four days), we came to what I feel is an agreeable next step. With the regional service rep present, the rear diff will be drained, the diff threads and bolt threads will be inspected, and the diff will be refilled (with dye) to see if it will leak yet once again.
I will update this post when I take the truck in again per the aforementioned.
What a PITA!
I stopped by the dealer (McGeroge) today to have them see if the dye was visible. In speaking with the service manager that the leak had stopped (totally dry with my finger after four days), we came to what I feel is an agreeable next step. With the regional service rep present, the rear diff will be drained, the diff threads and bolt threads will be inspected, and the diff will be refilled (with dye) to see if it will leak yet once again.
I will update this post when I take the truck in again per the aforementioned.
What a PITA!
I agree with toyota on handling this as you say now.
It would be bad if your on a trip , and the rear diff locks up due to a leak.
twoburgers
New member
could become a safety issue...
To your point, and as a teaching point to my 11 year old son, I shared with him that getting the diff fixed correctly is important because, if the diff began to leak (heavily) on a long trip when I was towing my boat (close to max weight), and the diff failed, it could become a safety issue real quick.
Anyway, I'll continue to watch it.
To your point, and as a teaching point to my 11 year old son, I shared with him that getting the diff fixed correctly is important because, if the diff began to leak (heavily) on a long trip when I was towing my boat (close to max weight), and the diff failed, it could become a safety issue real quick.
Anyway, I'll continue to watch it.
Marcocopuffs
New member
twoburgers
New member
Not able to find issue of leak...
As agreed, I took the truck back to the dealership (McGeorge) when the regional service rep could inspect the vehicle. The diff was not leaking and no dye showed upon inspection. Beyond inspection, the intent was to do a service cycle to see what would happen.
I requested: that the diff be drained, the male and female threads be inspected, the diff get re-filled, and they wanted to add more dye (they did).
The diff was not leaking when I took it in, and it is not currently leaking. So, I don't know why it began to leak, and I'm not sure why it stopped. I'll watch it and take it back in if/when it leaks again.
As I like to say, it is what it is.
Appreciate all the feedback - both constructive and not. :biggrin1:
lane:
As agreed, I took the truck back to the dealership (McGeorge) when the regional service rep could inspect the vehicle. The diff was not leaking and no dye showed upon inspection. Beyond inspection, the intent was to do a service cycle to see what would happen.
I requested: that the diff be drained, the male and female threads be inspected, the diff get re-filled, and they wanted to add more dye (they did).
The diff was not leaking when I took it in, and it is not currently leaking. So, I don't know why it began to leak, and I'm not sure why it stopped. I'll watch it and take it back in if/when it leaks again.
As I like to say, it is what it is.
Appreciate all the feedback - both constructive and not. :biggrin1:
lane:twoburgers
New member
Was the diff serviced? That's the fill plug I think... If anything, clean it up with brake clean and watch it. Regardless of what some have to say, they are not supposed to leak (obviously).
twoburgers
New member
the rear diff leak is back...
Happy summer friends!
I was out in the drive today and much to my surprise, noticed what appeared to be new oil drippings in the approximate area where I park the 4Runner. A quick peek confirmed the leak is back. By the volume on the drive, I would estimate it has been leaking about two weeks.
A quick email to the service manager at McGeorge and I got a prompt reply saying they would need to engage Toyota.
So, I guess they will bring the vehicle in, confirm the leak and see where the leak is coming from (given they put dye in the last lube change). With the issue confirmed, my expectation is that the rear diff housing (the whole rear diff unit) will be replaced.
Besides this headache, I really like the truck.
I'll keep the post updated.
Chris in Richmond, VA
Happy summer friends!
I was out in the drive today and much to my surprise, noticed what appeared to be new oil drippings in the approximate area where I park the 4Runner. A quick peek confirmed the leak is back. By the volume on the drive, I would estimate it has been leaking about two weeks.
A quick email to the service manager at McGeorge and I got a prompt reply saying they would need to engage Toyota.
So, I guess they will bring the vehicle in, confirm the leak and see where the leak is coming from (given they put dye in the last lube change). With the issue confirmed, my expectation is that the rear diff housing (the whole rear diff unit) will be replaced.
Besides this headache, I really like the truck.
I'll keep the post updated.
Chris in Richmond, VA
twoburgers
New member
leak was weeping drain plug weld
The regional service rep from Toyota inspected the truck yesterday, and the verdict was the rear differential drain plug weld was clearly weeping gear lube (confirmed with dye). Toyota will be paying to replace the rear differential housing with a new part.
It is worth noting this problem has been intermittent, but is now leaking a silver dollar size oil spot overnight and has been doing so for almost two months, and appears to be getting worse.
The part has been ordered, and I was told the part switch out should take a few hours.
As an aside, I found it interesting that some that commented on the post would have lived with the leak, or felt I was worrying about nothing. IMO people pay a premium for Toyota quality (certainly with the 4Runner), and expecting anything less shows how lackadaisical we have become as a society, or at a least is just part of being an off-road bada$$. Either way, I don't associate with the aforementioned.
lane:
The regional service rep from Toyota inspected the truck yesterday, and the verdict was the rear differential drain plug weld was clearly weeping gear lube (confirmed with dye). Toyota will be paying to replace the rear differential housing with a new part.
It is worth noting this problem has been intermittent, but is now leaking a silver dollar size oil spot overnight and has been doing so for almost two months, and appears to be getting worse.
The part has been ordered, and I was told the part switch out should take a few hours.
As an aside, I found it interesting that some that commented on the post would have lived with the leak, or felt I was worrying about nothing. IMO people pay a premium for Toyota quality (certainly with the 4Runner), and expecting anything less shows how lackadaisical we have become as a society, or at a least is just part of being an off-road bada$$. Either way, I don't associate with the aforementioned.
lane:
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twoburgers
New member
Could this be the end...???
I received the 4R back today after it spent two days at McGeorge Toyota in Richmond, VA.
The good:
- they had ordered and received the rear differential housing before my appointment.
- I was provided a Camry rental at no charge
- I was not charged for the repair (which was under warranty)
The bad:
- I had to return to the dealer eight times to get this issue resolved
- I had to open two cases with Toyota corporate
- I had to push back very hard with the dealer to not accept a non-OEM repair
- I was told the repair would take a day - it took two
- I took the 4R in spotless, and it was returned with grease on the seat and body, and they had "washed" it, which really means spraying it off and letting it spot terribly.
- I asked that they not put the service reminder sticker on the glass windshield, but they did
- when I got in the truck to head home the stereo had been adjusted to a ridiculous level by the gorilla that "washed" it I suppose
I mention all the bad (not all terribly significant to the original repair) because if the repair was completed with the same competence used to follow my other service requests, I doubt the swapping out of differential parts will last. Note that while in the service bay, I had the engine oil/filter changed and the state inspection completed. Based on my overall experience and of those of another family member, I will only return to McGeorge if I have to. Since the included/free oil changes are over, I'll be completing the next services.
A note to the limp wristed wussies that think I should just be happy with half a$$, I only hold people accountable to the extent that I hold myself.
I'll only follow up if it leaks or fails. So, hoping this is the end of this thread!
Chris
I received the 4R back today after it spent two days at McGeorge Toyota in Richmond, VA.
The good:
- they had ordered and received the rear differential housing before my appointment.
- I was provided a Camry rental at no charge
- I was not charged for the repair (which was under warranty)
The bad:
- I had to return to the dealer eight times to get this issue resolved
- I had to open two cases with Toyota corporate
- I had to push back very hard with the dealer to not accept a non-OEM repair
- I was told the repair would take a day - it took two
- I took the 4R in spotless, and it was returned with grease on the seat and body, and they had "washed" it, which really means spraying it off and letting it spot terribly.
- I asked that they not put the service reminder sticker on the glass windshield, but they did
- when I got in the truck to head home the stereo had been adjusted to a ridiculous level by the gorilla that "washed" it I suppose
I mention all the bad (not all terribly significant to the original repair) because if the repair was completed with the same competence used to follow my other service requests, I doubt the swapping out of differential parts will last. Note that while in the service bay, I had the engine oil/filter changed and the state inspection completed. Based on my overall experience and of those of another family member, I will only return to McGeorge if I have to. Since the included/free oil changes are over, I'll be completing the next services.
A note to the limp wristed wussies that think I should just be happy with half a$$, I only hold people accountable to the extent that I hold myself.
I'll only follow up if it leaks or fails. So, hoping this is the end of this thread!
Chris
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