My wife texted me these pictures of my T4R while I'm traveling for work... crap
- Thread starter twalk
- Start date
drdolittlerwc
New member
I have to stay out of town until tomorrowI'll update as soon as I figure it out, or if I've got any more details or questions.
Cool! Just curious...
4Runner4TW
New member
You could have your wife push on the brake pedal, if it goes to the floor then that would give away a brake fluid issue. I think..?
twalk
New member
I did have her do that. She actually pulled the truck out onto the street so she could soak up the fluid in the garage. She said the pedal felt normal (responsive) and she said the brake fluid reservoir (in front of the driver's side firewall) is full...
JWaldz
Moderator
There's no possible way it's brake fluid then with the amount on the ground and all over the area the reservoir would be bone dry. I'm guessing either front diff fluid or someone messed up and didn't put the oil filter all the way on. I suppose it could be new motor oil but for the fact of how thin it looks i just have a hard time believing it is. With the amount of dirt and stuff on your truck could it be antifreeze and we just think it looks like oil of some sort? I mean, your wife really hasn't driven it far or long enough to see it over heat by just moving it to the street.
DeadMoney44
New member
Does not look like oil, but have her check the oil level. Does it continue to leak? How did the clean up go? What I mean is, did things clean up and dry up or is the concrete stained?
I would call the service provider and ask for a complete description of all that was done.
I would call the service provider and ask for a complete description of all that was done.
drdolittlerwc
New member
One other thing I just though of. Even though the power steering pump is on the other side, could it possibly be power steering fluid from the R&P? You could check the level in the pump, just remember that it will look low when it's cold...
zgensler31
Senior Member
Also have her check the oil fill cap. Could be loose, cracked or missing cagsing a mess. Doubt it but sonething worth checking and simple enough for your wife to do
Brian757
New member
I bet 3 Pringles and a marble that its power steering fluid. And your rack & pinion are crying. I am having a leak on my drivers side from my rack and pinion. About to replace the whole thing but it looks relative.
\
I already did my r&p bushings in 2012 and my rack is only getting worse. I'm about to just bite the bullet and get a re-man.
\
I already did my r&p bushings in 2012 and my rack is only getting worse. I'm about to just bite the bullet and get a re-man.
Last edited:
kernel.panik
New member
Don't get a re-man!
I read a post yesterday (can't find it now) a guy called Safari-Ltd who sells the famous "better than factory" rack for $540. In the post he said that he was talking to them and the guy from SL said they had them made by Atlantic Engineering. Just so happens that Rock Auto sells a "better than factory" NEW rack for $275ish and it's labeled as an Atlantic Auto rack... might be a different company, but for $243 & being a new rack and includes ITRs.... they'll be getting my $$$...
Brian757
New member
Holy crap! Thanks for the insight! I just bookmarked this.
For $243 for a new rack, thats great. I will +1 your rep for that one..
The Extractor
New member
My friend changed his oil once and the old oil filter gasket stuck to the block and of course didnt seal when he put the new filter on, almost lost his eng.
Chandler_Ross
New member
I'm with Brian on this one. Looks just like mine when my seals finally gave. If it is, use a battery baster and do a DIY flush of the power steering, and run about 15-20% Dextron III and 80% Lucas Oil Rack and Pinion stop leak. I would never tell anyone to ever put Lucas oil products in anything. Except for this. Almost like a miracle in a bottle. Brought my leak (couldn't hold fluid for more than a day) down to 2 drops every few days from the bellows boot. Hope this helps!
twalk
New member
I've got a brief update.
I was able to crawl under the truck tonight and poke around.
I'm leaning toward it being an oil filter leak (for a few reasons).
- Brakes feel good- brake fluid booster/reservoir is full
- Garage floor is stained & water beads on it (sure looks/behaves like oil). When I put enough water down to puddle, there was a thin layer of pearlescent/rainbow oily fluid on top
- Power steering feels good (very light) and fluid level is normal.
- Turning the wheels full-stop produced no fluid under the truck near the bars or boot
- Didn't see any fluid leaking from the R&P
- I'm not ruling out the diff, but there is fluid well above the diff on the left side of the eng. block (below the oil filter)
Here's a video I took while under the truck: The Leak - YouTube
(Video is still processing so give it a minute if you're viewing shortly after post)
I've attached some stills from the video as well.
I'll pull the skid plate off tomorrow and do an oil & filter change. I should know pretty definitively during the filter change if that was the culprit.
Thanks to everyone for the input. I'll update again after a filter change and some light driving.
P.S- How bad does that rust look? I've only had the truck for about a month, and it's my first 4Runner, so I'm not sure how much rust is "acceptable". It appears to be surface rust, but I'd like to know if I should be worried...
I was able to crawl under the truck tonight and poke around.
I'm leaning toward it being an oil filter leak (for a few reasons).
- Brakes feel good- brake fluid booster/reservoir is full
- Garage floor is stained & water beads on it (sure looks/behaves like oil). When I put enough water down to puddle, there was a thin layer of pearlescent/rainbow oily fluid on top
- Power steering feels good (very light) and fluid level is normal.
- Turning the wheels full-stop produced no fluid under the truck near the bars or boot
- Didn't see any fluid leaking from the R&P
- I'm not ruling out the diff, but there is fluid well above the diff on the left side of the eng. block (below the oil filter)
Here's a video I took while under the truck: The Leak - YouTube
(Video is still processing so give it a minute if you're viewing shortly after post)
I've attached some stills from the video as well.
I'll pull the skid plate off tomorrow and do an oil & filter change. I should know pretty definitively during the filter change if that was the culprit.
Thanks to everyone for the input. I'll update again after a filter change and some light driving.
P.S- How bad does that rust look? I've only had the truck for about a month, and it's my first 4Runner, so I'm not sure how much rust is "acceptable". It appears to be surface rust, but I'd like to know if I should be worried...
Attachments
afg10000
New member
Very interesting point. I just talked to SL yesterday and had looked at the Rock Auto one. Put 2 and 2 together after reading your post. I think they'll be getting some cash from as well.
To the OP - What a mess. Better than CV axle money shots. Hope your filter fixes it. The rust looks a little worse than my '96. Don't want to be a Debby Downer but have you checked the inside of the frame on the rear passenger side where the muffler is? Please tell me there's not a rust hole there.
drdolittlerwc
New member
Ya, lookin like a filter issue!!
twalk
New member
I've got my fingers crossed.... Off to snag a new filter and a jug of oil!
be sure to check the block for an extra gasket.
