Can someone help me figure out what’s leaking?
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G_Raw
New member
No photos attached. If its watery it could be red coolant but shouldn't be near axle so not likely. If its oily like ATF fluid. ATF fluid runs from the trans to radiator and then back. Those lines are on passenger side of the block. Unfortunately power steering lines and reservoir are right above those at the front passenger side of the block...also uses ATF fluid. Last thought could be ATF from bell housing to block connection. With out photos hard to say but that should give you an idea of places to start searching. Good luck.
thennen
New member
One thing you can do: get a can of brake cleaner. Remove your skid plate if necessary, then spray the area where you see the fluid, plus a little bit above that. Spray a lot to get as much grease off as possible, then let it dry. It should LOOK dry when you're done. Then start the truck and observe the area you sprayed. When you start to see any liquid, it should point you in the direction of the leak.
thennen
New member
The pic shows a wet spot on the ground and a wet skid plate, hard to tell more from that. I still say removing the skid plate will help.
phattyduck
Elite Member
Keep the imgur album private and share photo here using the "img" tag link you can get within Imgur when you click on a photo in your own album. I will look like this (remove extra spaces):
[IMG ]https://i.imgur.com/mW12v9U.jpeg[/IMG ]
And show this:
That looks like a power steering leak at the rack, but remove that skid plate and check. You can drive around on the street with the rear skid plate removed, so clean the area, drive a bit and check where the leak is coming from.
-Charlie
[IMG ]https://i.imgur.com/mW12v9U.jpeg[/IMG ]
And show this:
That looks like a power steering leak at the rack, but remove that skid plate and check. You can drive around on the street with the rear skid plate removed, so clean the area, drive a bit and check where the leak is coming from.
-Charlie
gamefreakgc
Elite Member
Have you checked your fluid levels? That's a good clue too if it's been leaking a while.
I agree on a power steering rack leak as a possible cause as your boots are wet too.
I agree on a power steering rack leak as a possible cause as your boots are wet too.
FWIW, I had a wet spot in about the same place relative to the car and it ended up being a coolant leak from the water pump. Ran around the lip on the oil pan (I think) and then ended up flowing around back then off the skid plate. If it leaves a red residue behind when it dries, that's what mine looked like. Check coolant level in the reserve tank and see if there is liquid or deposit under the water pump.
As someone who just replaced their whole power steering rack, I’d say that it’s likely power steering fluid. Both the high and low pressure lines are rubber/steel, and the rubber, tends to crack and start weeping. Especially if you’ve had the trans run hot before. Lmk if you figure out where the leak is. It’s a tricky spot to work on unless you remove your front tire and some of the splash guards.
An easy way to check would be starting the truck and checking for bubbles in the power steering reservoir, almost always a sure sign of a leak somewhere.
An easy way to check would be starting the truck and checking for bubbles in the power steering reservoir, almost always a sure sign of a leak somewhere.
diverscale
Member
The thing is with toyota OEM coolant, this thing is reddish and pretty greassy.
I've had a few leaks on mine, and it'S very hard to tell if it's PS, transmission or coolant in small quantity. Coolant gives the same oily feel as the rest, when taken from the ground.
I would first check your coolant level, if it's below level, be pretty sure it's a hose leaking. Could be MANY things, as hoses are getting older on this. Had a few hoses leak over the years, for no apparent reasons.
Next, look at your transmission fluid, and if it's that on the ground, you can often ''smell'' the bad smell of it. You don't want to go low on coolant nor on transmission level. PS level going too low, at the worse, you'll lose power steering and use power arms to turn, and have to change a pump, much better than replacing a trans or an engine.
I've had a few leaks on mine, and it'S very hard to tell if it's PS, transmission or coolant in small quantity. Coolant gives the same oily feel as the rest, when taken from the ground.
I would first check your coolant level, if it's below level, be pretty sure it's a hose leaking. Could be MANY things, as hoses are getting older on this. Had a few hoses leak over the years, for no apparent reasons.
Next, look at your transmission fluid, and if it's that on the ground, you can often ''smell'' the bad smell of it. You don't want to go low on coolant nor on transmission level. PS level going too low, at the worse, you'll lose power steering and use power arms to turn, and have to change a pump, much better than replacing a trans or an engine.
