HELP! Can you identify this leak?

[Theo85]

I am going on a short 5hr trip camping, and noticed this leak!! I think its tranny fluid but not sure, its kind of spread all over!

 

[gooserunner]

It looks too far forward to be tranny. It could be though. I'm having a hard time with the pictures. What color is it?

I would check the oil filter to make sure it didn't creep loose. It looks like those pics are from the driver side front below the engine.

 

[Rocket61]

Looks like coolant. Check your lines and rad for leaks.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Is the fluid watery or more oily? It appears to be ATF, possibly leaking from a transmission cooler line or the cooler unit itself. Toyota SLLC (Super Long Life Coolant) is pink and would appear lighter in colour than what is shown on the vehicle at the moment.

Another thought, what color is your power steering fluid?

 

[Theo85]

Thanks for the replies guys. It appears to be less oily, more watery. Its not red, more like a dark pink in color. I'll check my oil filter in the morning...I hope its not major...this trip has been in the works for a while lol

Edit/ not sure what color my steering fluid is...i think its clear. Another thing to check.

 

[hearno]

It appears to be ATF,

Agreed, possibly leaking from the pan drain plug based on that picture. Pull the skid plate and check.

 

[ebg18t]

Thanks for the replies guys. It appears to be less oily, more watery. Its not red, more like a dark pink in color.

Pink is the color of the coolant. Check the coolant resivior level too.

 

[Greydog]

That really looks like ATF, check the trans cooler lines at the connections to the Radiator (drivers side).

 

[jonesmw10]

That really looks like ATF, check the trans cooler lines at the connections to the Radiator (drivers side).

This. Maybe grab some brake parts cleaner and spray/wipe everything down. Best way to see where it may be coming from

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Pink is the color of the coolant. Check the coolant resivior level too.

The coolant looks far lighter than what you see on the vehicle right now, it will look closer to tinted water; where as this looks sort of like kool-aid and the napkin really shows the redness of the fluid.

I think he's got an issue with his transmission cooler or lines, because you can see the front skid plate is soaked from high up, which indicates the leak is around the radiator area.

 

[ebg18t]

The coolant looks far lighter than what you see on the vehicle right now, it will look closer to tinted water; where as this looks sort of like kool-aid and the napkin really shows the redness of the fluid.

I think he's got an issue with his transmission cooler or lines, because you can see the front skid plate is soaked from high up, which indicates the leak is around the radiator area.

I agree Tammy cooler lines are suspect, I can't tell the color in the picture though. But not knowing if the water-pump is puking its worth checking.

 

[preacher35]

Geez.... Just smell it and you'll know. The coolant smells like a dead animal and ATF smells petroleum based. Easy.

 

[gshadow325]

Geez.... Just smell it and you'll know. The coolant smells like a dead animal and ATF smells petroleum based. Easy.

what does it taste like? LOL

 

[having fun]

what does it taste like? LOL

It taste like Pink..,... Never mind.

 

[Theo85]

Back from my 350 mile trip, and had no issues. I checked my coolant level along the way and it was around the full mark. I also kept an eye on engine temps throughout the trip and it never really fluctuated. I have a feeling that, as some of you noted, it is coming from the area of the bottom of the rad because when it drips it usually pools closer to the driver side below the inner axle boot. I'll be taking it in to the shop this week... Hopefully i wont need a new rad! Thanks for all your input!

 

[Greydog]

Hey, I would check your Trans fluid ASAP, if its leaking continually you may have lost over a quart of hydraulic fluid, its under pressure while driving.

 

[Theo85]

Back from a 350 mile camping trip and the car held up, no issues. I believe, as some of you noted, that this may be coming from the bottom of the radiator near the cooler lines as it seems to drip towards the driver side, below the inner axle boot. Ill be taking it in on monday to have it serviced...hopefully wont need a new rad. Anyone know where i can find a diagram for said area?

 

[Flyingbread1]

Back from a 350 mile camping trip and the car held up, no issues. I believe, as some of you noted, that this may be coming from the bottom of the radiator near the cooler lines as it seems to drip towards the driver side, below the inner axle boot. Ill be taking it in on monday to have it serviced...hopefully wont need a new rad. Anyone know where i can find a diagram for said area?

I just discovered a very similar leak today. I am hoping it is the trans cooler lines. What ended up being your problem?

 

[Theo85]

Hey man, turned out to be the lines running to/from tranny to the radiator that were rusted out at the front and leaking. Toyota charged me 235$ to fix. Hope that helps.