So I just vomited in my mouth...

[mybabydaddy]

OK... so got home, changed, and climbed under for better inspection. Very weird. It’s almost like the two drip (areas) are somehow not related; I’ll explain.

Firstly, I see ZERO leaking/wet rubber, etc. on the actual KDSS cylinder boot. Nothing. Nada. I also cannot see/find any leaking signs anywhere else above the said area (there seems to be nothing in the vicinity that could/would leak down onto the area I’m talking about). I realize, however, all sorts of weird shiote can happen when we’re talking about a leak somewhere in an engine bay; but years of working on cars and bikes has taught me how to spot some simple things.... and I don’t see anything that would indicate a leak from above.

As you can see in the pics, the “drips” are on BOTH sides of the KDSS sway bar attachment points (up front), right on the bottom areas of some rubber washer/bushing points. The “fluid” in question is definitely dark and what looks to be (heat) hardened; so not seemingly fresh in the last several days to a week perhaps.... again, this is all speculation on my behalf.

Then you look at the drip-area on the skid plate, and it almost seems like this isn’t from the KDSS above it... like it’s dried oil from the last oil change or something...? If it IS from whatever is dripping/dripped from the KDSS bushing, then why is it only on ONE side (driver), and not the other side of the skid plate EVEN THOUGH BOTH sides’ bushings show the same “dried” fluid?

I cleaned the skid plate (drip) area to monitor it over the next several days... And put down some cardboard on the garage floor under the area as well to monitor for leaking (tho I doubt I’ll see anything).

 

[1engineer]

I'm betting it's not the KDSS cylinder but if it is you win lowest mileage failure. Never mind you only make the 3rd guy so far here to have a problem with it. KDSS fluid should be almost clear honey color.

 

[mybabydaddy]

I think you need to chill out until you know how they are going to treat you... and hell, until you know this is even a problem. Getting mad in advance isn't going to help your ability to communicate clearly and pleasantly with the service manager.


If you are always looking for something wrong, you will find it. Life's too short to stress about nothing. Drive, park, repeat.

Again - referring to my earlier post... please don’t mistake my directness for anger. I make a living in the sales arena; you get more bees with honey every time. And 100% agree with your second point... I don’t even know if there’s an issue at this point, so I’m not jumping to anything yet at all.

But after 16+ years of my experiences & career, customer-related problem solving is all about getting the right decision maker involved.... and I have no problem getting the right people involved if this issue gets serious and they can’t seem to fix it correctly. But that is waaaaaay down the line at this point, and I’m not even remotely worried about that right now. Got give them the benefit of the doubt first.

 

[Fomer_FJ_owner805]

Again - referring to my earlier post... please don’t mistake my directness for anger. I make a living in the sales arena; you get more bees with honey every time. And 100% agree with your second point... I don’t even know if there’s an issue at this point, so I’m not jumping to anything yet at all.

But after 16+ years of my experiences & career, customer-related problem solving is all about getting the right decision maker involved.... and I have no problem getting the right people involved if this issue gets serious and they can’t seem to fix it correctly. But that is waaaaaay down the line at this point, and I’m not even remotely worried about that right now. Got give them the benefit of the doubt first.

But still please if they give you no hassle post it with failed parts and aftermarket lift pre/post fix in the same picture if you can I have a feeling any KDSS fix is going to cost them a lot and some dealerships will use any mod as a excuse. As for the MM not being a get out of jail free card once a dealer has agreed that the aftermarket part didnt cause the failure its evidence in the owners favor. Its on them to prove the aftermarket part was the direct result of a failure. So they more people with the same failure that get it fixed with the same mod the more burden of proof they have. just as in the FJC engine bay failure 100% denials turned into 90% fixes. Fixing a few in the know guys is cheaper compared to a class action lawsuit. Ask Tyler Durden.

 

[Engineer]

Didn't read all the replies as they seemed to get off topic but I don't think thats KDSS fluid, it looks more like used oil. Report back the dealers finding.

 

[wfo9]

That is not hydraulic fluid.

 

[Racehoss]

Just another example to avoid getting one with kdss. Who needs this worry on a Toyota? I buy Toyotas to avoid this.

 

[FrontRange4Runner]

Just another example to avoid getting one with kdss. Who needs this worry on a Toyota? I buy Toyotas to avoid this.

You might want to read the thread.

 

[mizzouxc]

And here I thought we were talking about naked Hillary.
----
Back on topic: whatever it is, it either ran out of fluid to leak or it's leftover from a fluid top off/change. Given the location of one of the photos, it looks like the oil change tech missed the fill spout and new oil ran down there. It looks dirty because it picked up all the grime off whatever it ran across on the way down.

I just change my own oil. Generally speaking, the skilled and trained techs aren't on the oil change line. It's sad that I trust the dealer to do real repairs, but when it comes to routine maintenance, I really don't trust anywhere except a local garage back in Missouri run by friends of the family.

 

[e60ral]

I'll let ya know what happens.

I went to Firestone (lifetime alignment) to have them make sure the LCA's were tight etc and they pointed out the steering rack was loose which is another reason Im taking it in... I seriously had ZERO problems with my other 4runners but man, this one is really making me question the build quality at Toyota now a days.

i feel like if you wedge 2.5" of polyurethane into your suspension, you maybe can't complain too much about suspension build quality or engineering

 

[Yukon4Runner]

I really don't trust anywhere except a local garage back in Missouri run by friends of the family.

I hear banjos. Paddle faster.


.

 

[jwkilgore]

I hear banjos. Paddle faster.

That was Georgia :moon:

 

[flyrv9]

Just an FYI - some hydraulic fluid changes color when exposed to air. For example Skydrol is a light purple color; but turns yellow rather quickly after a spill or leak. 5606 is a reddish color and turns a darker red when spilled or leaking. Both of these fluids are used in the aircraft industry. I don't know what is in the KDSS system, but it might exhibit similar results.

 

[tral]

i feel like if you wedge 2.5" of polyurethane into your suspension, you maybe can't complain too much about suspension build quality or engineering

What's this in reference to? My 2.5" bilstein 5100 lift? If so check your facts first pal..... no poly in front.

 

[WI4Runnin]

It all does not really matter. If your suspension is altered in any way its going to be a fight to get fixed under warranty. 5100's , Poly spacers , full out coil packs…… anything other than stock will be a fight..

 

[Racehoss]

Ha ha. Kdssers getting on the defensive. There's a reason KDSS came to mind on this oil spot.

 

[61hawk]

I seriously had ZERO problems with my other 4runners but man, this one is really making me question the build quality at Toyota now a days.

I'd skip the dealership and take it down the nearest Dodge dealership to trade for whatever they'd give me for it.

 

[mizzouxc]

I'd skip the dealership and take it down the nearest Dodge dealership to trade for whatever they'd give me for it.

I hear those eco diesels are 25,000 mile motors, major rebuilds at about 10,000 to 15,000. If only Toyotas were that reliable.

64 pages of blown motors and counting. http://www.ram1500diesel.com/forum/...nical/8564-eco-diesel-engine-failures-64.html

At least here we just hear about crappy ebay parts causing problems.

 

[1engineer]

Just an FYI - some hydraulic fluid changes color when exposed to air. For example Skydrol is a light purple color; but turns yellow rather quickly after a spill or leak. 5606 is a reddish color and turns a darker red when spilled or leaking. Both of these fluids are used in the aircraft industry. I don't know what is in the KDSS system, but it might exhibit similar results.

The airline industry basically uses Kerosene with a little bit of oil thrown in lol. Because of three things:
1) The expense of using a full synthetic
2) The temperature extremes and viscosity changes caused by them
3) Simplicity of functions mean simplicity of components and "thin" fluids with not much lubricity will work.

A fluid like Skydrol does not change color when exposed to air. You only think it does. It is basically a transparent fluid with a little bit of tint. When you see it in a bucket, can or barrel you are seeing through the fluid and picking up the background. When it spills on the ground you are seeing through it and picking up a different background. I have designed many applications using Skydrol and similar. Here http://skydrol-ld4.com/properties_skydrol_ld-4.html it is and phosphate esters require a different mindset when designing the circuit. So do polyol-esters. What WILL change the color of any hydraulic fluid is long usage. It won't degrade the fluids much but a high cycle count at higher temps will turn the additives in the fluid (anti foam, anti wear) a darker color.

 

[TejasRunner]

Again - referring to my earlier post... please don’t mistake my directness for anger. I make a living in the sales arena; you get more bees with honey every time. And 100% agree with your second point... I don’t even know if there’s an issue at this point, so I’m not jumping to anything yet at all.

But after 16+ years of my experiences & career, customer-related problem solving is all about getting the right decision maker involved.... and I have no problem getting the right people involved if this issue gets serious and they can’t seem to fix it correctly. But that is waaaaaay down the line at this point, and I’m not even remotely worried about that right now. Got give them the benefit of the doubt first.

Did you get your 4Runner into the shop last week or are you doing it this week? Just curious to see how Grapevine handles it.