Help with liquid leaking or dripping

[xwake4lifex]

Looking to get some assistance with identifying either the potential liquid or origination of said liquid. I have a 2004 SR5, about 163k on the clock.

Recently I've noticed my car having a little bit of a "hot" smell or like something on metal getting hot after I've driven it for a period of time. I've got some photos and a video I took. A few things to note: my oil level is fine according to my dipstick and my coolant level has decreased a bit (I suspect this may be coolant leaking). There are two locations which may or may not be related.

The first location here is up front on the vehicle (driver's side) just behind/below the radiator. Here are the photos. Is this a spot leaking on my radiator? It looks like it's got something dripping on it or leaking out since it looks pretty darn wet to me.

Here's the link to the first area.

The second area seems to affect the skid plate near the oil pan location. The bottom side of the skid plate looks wet and has some liquid on it, in addition to the top of the skid plate. There's a few photos of it and I have a video I'll link.

Here's a link to the second set of photos.
Here's a video.

Update #1: New link with photos after the skid plate has been removed.

Update 2/1/19, 1202 PST

This update is here in the OP and I will add as a reply in this thread.

I had my vehicle taken into a shop very near to my workplace yesterday. They diagnosed the fluid leak and (of course) came up with a plethora of items to replace/service. This topic has sort of evolved into my 'repair/maintenance' thread. Some of the suggested fixes are important to me and I would like to fix them ASAP. I use my 4R as my daily driver, travel forest roads with it, and do a little light off-roading (nothing crazy). Here's a list of what the shop wanted to fix, for what price, and what I am going to attempt myself. All prices are parts and labor included so people can get an idea of what a shop is charging. I did not pay for any of the listed services.

• Front right differential axle side cover seal leak, racked and found class 3 leak, needs to be replaced, would also like to service front differential when seal is replaced -- $168.33

• Front right wheel bearing and assembly replace, loose -- $545.26

• Rear brake pads unevenly worn, replace brake pads, rotors, and brake calipers -- $712.55

• Bad battery, failed load test, replace -- $203.41

• Dirty cabin air filter, replace -- $89.94

• K&N intake filter cleaning -- $64.79

• License plate bulbs/3rd brake light out, replace -- $28.88

• GRAND TOTAL = $1,899.06

I took my truck to O'Reilly's today and asked them to check my battery and alternator for me. Alternator is in great shape and everything passes, but my battery is definitely in the last 1/4 of its life. Okay, so the battery is "going." I wouldn't call it "bad" just yet.

Anyway just to be clear, I replaced the license plate bulbs and 3rd brake light this morning - for a grand total of $7 (and I still have an extra 3rd brake light bulb). I can take care of my cabin air filter and the K&N on my intake. I am going to get a new battery in a couple weeks when I get paid. Easy removal and install. I've watched some YouTube videos on how to replace the wheel bearing and hub assemblies and I am confident I can do that myself. I've got the tools, the time, the patience, and the beer. I'll check out my own brake pads at this point and confirm these issues, but I am also confident I can replace the brake parts as needed. It's not difficult.

The only job I'm unsure about is the differential axle seal leak. I feel like I'm a good part of the way there if I have my wheel off and stuff for the wheel bearing and hub assembly job. I also don't understand why I need the wheel bearing and hub assembly. Is it easier to just replace both parts? Should I replace both of my front wheel bearings and hub assemblies at the same time while I'm doing that? Someone suggested a Blue Pit bearing kit. Any other brands people might suggest?

I want to thank everyone who offered advice and suggestions in this thread. It helped a lot and I learned a lot more about the fluids potentially leaking from cars. And I'm going to tackle each of these things as long as they're needed mostly by myself, except maybe the seal leak.

TLDR; Took my truck to a shop. They found a lot to fix/maintain. It's a ridiculous amount of money. With some help from this forum and YouTube you can save yourself a hell of a lot of money if you do things yourself. And not everything is necessary immediately.

 

[TenTwelve]

Honestly, the pics and video aren't much help (to me at least), but I can tell you that coolant has a distinct smell. very sweet smelling.

 

[ZebRuaj]

Like the other member, can't really tell/see much.

You're 1st spot by the rad drain cock was me earlier this week. Radiator was leaking at that bottom corner. Just got done replacing it.

Your other spot, PS? Have you looked at that reservoir?

 

[Soneill]

Pull the front skids and get better pics. From below and on top. Is it dripping on the ground? If so put some paper towels down or white cardboard so you can see what color the fluid is.

 

[xwake4lifex]

Honestly, the pics and video aren't much help (to me at least), but I can tell you that coolant has a distinct smell. very sweet smelling.

Like the other member, can't really tell/see much.

You're 1st spot by the rad drain cock was me earlier this week. Radiator was leaking at that bottom corner. Just got done replacing it.

Your other spot, PS? Have you looked at that reservoir?

Pull the front skids and get better pics. From below and on top. Is it dripping on the ground? If so put some paper towels down or white cardboard so you can see what color the fluid is.

First off, I appreciate you each trying to help. I pulled the skid plate and there is a lot more liquid pooling on top of the skid plate than what can be seen from below. As soon as I dropped the plate I could smell an unpleasant smell also.

Here's a new photo link.

 

[ZebRuaj]

Front diff? .. but you need to identify the source/top of the leak. The bottom just shows the routing of the drippage.

Gear oil has a distinct smell. Once you smell it, you never forget it.

 

[xwake4lifex]

Front diff? .. but you need to identify the source/top of the leak. The bottom just shows the routing of the drippage.

Gear oil has a distinct smell. Once you smell it, you never forget it.

I'll get back under and see if I can trace some more. Difficult to get a good angle and photos. Would it help to clean up the bottom all around there and leave it to see where it leaks down from too?

Is there a best method to clean it off? I have tons of shop rags...

 

[Soneill]

I'll get back under and see if I can trace some more. Difficult to get a good angle and photos. Would it help to clean up the bottom all around there and leave it to see where it leaks down from too?

Is there a best method to clean it off? I have tons of shop rags...

My money is on that axle seal leaking. Get some brake clean hose it all off wipe it down drive for a day a check. Keep doing that until you see fresh fluid. But that one drop definitely looks like gear oil. I would think if the diff case was leaking it would be more to the bottom and not all around that CV shaft.

 

[xwake4lifex]

Front diff? .. but you need to identify the source/top of the leak. The bottom just shows the routing of the drippage.

Gear oil has a distinct smell. Once you smell it, you never forget it.

While I was under the car a little fluid dripped onto the cardboard I have laid down. It's dark in color and smells nasty.

I tried to see the highest point that I saw a "wet" look and where grease had collected. Pretty easy to see since the entire underside of the car is really clean and dry, except for this spot. It appears to go no higher than this arm in the photos I'm posting. Either it's leaking from there and trickling down onto everything else or it's dripping down from there and my differential is leaking. Either way I hope it's something I can fix myself.

New photos.

Edit: I could see a drip forming on the arm piece in these latest photos.

 

[Soneill]

While I was under the car a little fluid dripped onto the cardboard I have laid down. It's dark in color and smells nasty.

I tried to see the highest point that I saw a "wet" look and where grease had collected. Pretty easy to see since the entire underside of the car is really clean and dry, except for this spot. It appears to go no higher than this arm in the photos I'm posting. Either it's leaking from there and trickling down onto everything else or it's dripping down from there and my differential is leaking. Either way I hope it's something I can fix myself.

New photos.

Edit: I could see a drip forming on the arm piece in these latest photos.

If its coming from the spot in the last pictures then it going to be the steering rack that is leaking. Check the level of the power steering fluid, bet its low. Depending how mechanically inclined you are it wouldn't be too bad to do.

 

[Soneill]

Alldata says 2.6hr book time. If that helps.

 

[xwake4lifex]

If its coming from the spot in the last pictures then it going to be the steering rack that is leaking. Check the level of the power steering fluid, bet its low. Depending how mechanically inclined you are it wouldn't be too bad to do.

Power steering is still between high and low marks so it seems to be okay for the time being. The last photos are definitely the highest up that I can find anything wet looking and that's right above the area that's all wet. Seems like a lot of fluid though.

 

[ZebRuaj]

Unless it's shooting gear oil as the axle rotates?

You say it smells so I keep going back to gear oil.

Power steering should be Dex3 ATF and watery compared to thicker gear oil.

 

[jcaino]

Smells nasty sounds like gear oil to me.

 

[xwake4lifex]

Smells nasty sounds like gear oil to me.

Unless it's shooting gear oil as the axle rotates?

You say it smells so I keep going back to gear oil.

Power steering should be Dex3 ATF and watery compared to thicker gear oil.

So I left the skid plates off through the night and drove to work today. I inspected my power steering reservoir more closely and it does appear to be a little low. The smell that I was describing seems like it was probably burned fluid from being so cramped up, stuck on the skid plates.

Anywho the fluid doesn't have a terrible smell fresh off of what ever it came from. The highest point I could trace it to was in the last series of photos, which now makes me think it is power steering fluid. It's not a real thick fluid.

Is having to replace the power steering rack and pinion something common for these 4Rs? I do have an appointment on Monday to get it looked at, but I think I feel better hoping that it's only power steering fluid. I'm going to clean the bottom really well with a degreaser and then raise the front of my car, turn it on, and put some pressure on the power steering system for a bit to see if I can make it drip more.

 

[ScooterMD]

The smell that I was describing seems like it was probably burned fluid from being so cramped up, stuck on the skid plates.

Is having to replace the power steering rack and pinion something common for these 4Rs? I do have an appointment on Monday to get it looked at, but I think I feel better hoping that it's only power steering fluid. I'm going to clean the bottom really well with a degreaser and then raise the front of my car, turn it on, and put some pressure on the power steering system for a bit to see if I can make it drip more.

Burnt power steering fluid in my experience smells bad. And the pics look like PS fluid to me, or maybe antifreeze. Before having it looked, why not throw in some PS fluid Stop Leak and see if it fixes the problem?

Power Steering Stop Leak

You can get that or similar stuff for 10 bucks at any parts store. You may as well add some radiator stop leak as well just to cover all bases. Worst case it doesn't fix it and you have someone look at it in a few weeks.

 

[xwake4lifex]

Burnt power steering fluid in my experience smells bad. And the pics look like PS fluid to me, or maybe antifreeze. Before having it looked, why not throw in some PS fluid Stop Leak and see if it fixes the problem?

Power Steering Stop Leak

You can get that or similar stuff for 10 bucks at any parts store. You may as well add some radiator stop leak as well just to cover all bases. Worst case it doesn't fix it and you have someone look at it in a few weeks.

It's probably burned or hot from coming in contact with exposed metal parts as it drips. I don't have any power steering whining issues.

I've read some positive things about these "leak stop" products and frankly I'm hesitant to put something like that into my car. Once it's in, there is no going back. I've heard horror stories of it blocking cooling ports of radiators and stuff.

The radiator leak seems really slow. I'm fairly confident I will be able to replace it if needed in the near future.

 

[ScooterMD]

It's probably burned or hot from coming in contact with exposed metal parts as it drips. I don't have any power steering whining issues.

I've read some positive things about these "leak stop" products and frankly I'm hesitant to put something like that into my car. Once it's in, there is no going back. I've heard horror stories of it blocking cooling ports of radiators and stuff.

I don't think you would notice PS symptoms until the fluid level is very low.

I've used various stop leak products (usually Lucas) on many different times on several difference vehicles; never had a problem. as long as you check compatibility beforehand, you should be fine.

If the folks who look at it tomorrow confirm is a PS leak and recommend replacing the R&P or PS pump, it may be worth a try before moving forward with replacements. If the stop leak doesn't work or damages the parts, you just replace it as they recommended.

 

[xwake4lifex]

Update: 1/27/19

Spent some more time poking around above and below my truck today. I took a few more photos and I'm nearly 100% positive this little arm is where the leaking is coming from. My power steering fluid was just slightly above the "cold minimum" mark. You can see where the previous level was and it's definitely gone down. Unfortunately I don't know what part this is or what part exactly might need to be replaced.

I'm potentially up for attempting it myself if this is something that I can do at home. I don't know what that little silver colored cylinder with the two lines coming out of it is either. Any help would be appreciated. The good news it doesn't seem to be anything else besides that.

Here's the link.

 

[WOLVERINE]

Those look like the high pressure feed lines connected to the steering rack - google 4runner steering rack and you can see a pic of it out of the 4runner - don't think those lines are leaking though, it's probably a seal by the shaft that connects the rack to the steering link. The entire rack is $300+ with a core, OEM is probably double.

ALSO, if yours is like mine, it is ATF fluid, which also stinks, not as bad as gear oil....may be mixed with power steering fluid if previous owners flushed/topped off with PS fluid rather than ATF.