What is this and why is it leaking?

GVL

New member
I'm so bummed, I happened to notice some fluid right here last weekend so wiped it down and checked it again after driving this weekend and there was more fluid all over this. I'm working on my mechanical skills, but don't know what this is (looks like it goes towards master cylinder - brake related?). It is located in the rear passenger side of the engine compartment.

Anyway, can someone tell me what this is and what might be causing this to leak? I already checked and the 5 ports seem to be secure, but it is not exactly clear where it is leaking from. Any input appreciated..


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That is your abs pump and distribution manifold or block. The fluid leak is brake fluid. You need a flare wrench to tighten the brake lines going in and out of it. You probably can use just a regular open end wrench carefully, it is not the right tool for the job and it could ruin the lines.
 
I'm so bummed, I happened to notice some fluid right here last weekend so wiped it down and checked it again after driving this weekend and there was more fluid all over this. I'm working on my mechanical skills, but don't know what this is (looks like it goes towards master cylinder - brake related?). It is located in the rear passenger side of the engine compartment.

Anyway, can someone tell me what this is and what might be causing this to leak? I already checked and the 5 ports seem to be secure, but it is not exactly clear where it is leaking from. Any input appreciated..


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It's your abs pump. The only thing that can be leaking on top are the lines they are probably 10 mm head get an end wrench and just make sure they are tight but don't strip the head off
 
Ok, thanks for the quick replies. I will check those again with a fitted wrench instead of the bulky pliers I had with me. They seemed tight but couldn't get a very good bite - I'll be careful with the torque. So those hoses look normal? Seems like the should have a little clamp or something. Thanks again.
 
When you say "hoses" do you mean the steel brake lines?
The lines and the protective covering looks normal to me.
 
When you say "hoses" do you mean the steel brake lines?
The lines and the protective covering looks normal to me.

Ahh, I got ya. Thanks! the Runner is at the cabin so I'm just looking at the picture. I was thinking those were hose lines not just the protective covering on the steel.
 
Just by looking at the picture it looks to be leaking from the closest line in the pic, looks like there is fluid on top of the fitting itself and everything else looks to be dry. If the fitting is good and tight check a little higher up on the line for signs of a leak, or the flare in the line could also possibly be leaking.
 
It looks like the line is leaking a little higher up. The wires that are laying across the top of it look wet. I would CAREFULLY cut the protective cover back that is over the line to thoroughly inspect it. Of course, make sure its not just the fitting first.
 
Do you have an air locker by any chance? At the top right in both pictures there's a black solenoid very similar to my ARB ones, and they're known to release some oil/mist when disengaging the air locker, usually a sign of a leak in the locker system.
 
Is that an ARB compressor that's right next to it??

Very possible, if it is, that it is moisture from the compressor getting onto the ABS pump.
 
Is that an ARB compressor that's right next to it??

Very possible, if it is, that it is moisture from the compressor getting onto the ABS pump.

Do you have an air locker by any chance? At the top right in both pictures there's a black solenoid very similar to my ARB ones, and they're known to release some oil/mist when disengaging the air locker, usually a sign of a leak in the locker system.

Yes, I do have an ARB compressor right next to ABS pump. I just found another picture I had showing a wider angle and the fluid appears to be in that area as well - I did use the lockers last weekend in the snow and both were working.

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99% chance its oil misting out of the solenoid when you disengage the lockers. If you are dual locked as well, my bet is its the solenoid controlling the front one. Now oil coming out doesn't mean the locker itself is not working or that it's broken, but it does mean that oil is getting into the supply line and when you turn the supply off the oil leaves with the air. Have a friend engage/disengage your locker while you watch under the hood, and see if that's whats happening.
 
Its most likely misting from the solenoid, if your ABS system was leaking you'd notice it more as the pressure would not create a seep as much as a slow/progressive leak that would lead to issues later down the line.

Also in my experience I haven't seen a factory installed flare fail unless someone tried to reinstall it improperly. :)
 
I'm pretty sure you guys are right and it's the compressor solenoid spraying the ABS pump, sorry guys I should have posted that pic in the first place. I will check the ABS as well though.

So I'm guessing it's not the solenoid that is the problem, sounds like that is just the spot where the problem appears? So is this something that needs to be addressed immediately or maybe an easy fix by chance?

Assuming this is something that would be covered by warranty......

Here's the GOOD news: The ARB locker system was just installed 6 months ago at 4WHEEL PARTS and he did pay $300 for their Extreme Plus 3/36 Warranty.

And the BAD news: i just bought the truck 2 mo. ago and I believe they have a "non-transferable" clause in the Warranty, but I would hope they would honor it being that it was done so recent?

Can anyone that has had this issue tell me what it took to resolve?

I absolutely love this vehicle and plan on continuing the build and keeping it until one of us dies, so I would like to fix it before it becomes a bigger issue.

Thanks again for everyone's input.

Oh, BlackWorks - I didn't touch the fender flares so someone else must gave got creative on the install - LOL. I can only claim credit for the freshly PlastiDipped grill and hood scoop at this point, but will start adding my own touches soon starting with a new bumper and winch :)
 
Warranty may be applicable, but it's not necessarily something they could have done wrong. Only way to really see if they did something incorrectly is to remove the locker and check the seals. Before that needs to be done though, there are some checks you should try first, or have them look into.

If it's the rear, check the rear diff breather and see if its plugged. If it is, replace that (and maybe consider relocating it, few threads around about it). Next you'll want to disconnect both sides of the air line (at the compressor/solenoid and also at the housing), then clean it to remove any oil inside it. I use brake clean and a little compressed air. After you're sure it's clean and dry, re-attach and then test it out. See if the problem still persists. If it does, you're looking at removing the diff and checking/changing the seals. I'd also verify the slider collar is able to slide back/forth freely with no interference when engaged/disengaged. It's also worth checking your rear axle seals for leaks as the pressure inside the diff will typically go through one of those if it can't go through the breather.

For the front, you're probably looking at the problem I believe I have. When the locker is engaged, you can potentially have positive air pressure in the diff. This depends on the condition of your seals for the sliding collar, and the connections/fittings for the air line. If you have said pressure, it needs to go somewhere, and like the rear diff, the front has a breather. Unlike the rear however, this breather is remotely located to the LHS fender. The problem lies in the routing. Generally, you want no horizontal spots in the path of travel. The stock routing has a couple of flat spots, and what I believe happens is oil gets trapped in these spots, essentially blocking the breather. So the oil needs to go somewhere else now with the pressure forcing it. Next is the axle seals. If those are bad, you'll leak out those (mine did, and I have replaced them but still have the problem). So the last place is through the seals when the positive air is released via the solenoid. I am in the process of relocating my front diff breather to eliminate the horizontal routing, but haven't had time to get around to it as the fitting for the breather hose on the front diff is unreachable (for me) with it installed. I'm hoping I can loosen the rear mount, remove the fronts and pry downwards (essentially rotating the diff even more) enough to reach my hand into the spot and remove said hose and attach my own.

If anyone else has insight on this problem I'm all ears, but this is where I am at currently.
 
Xinirgi - you da man! Thank you very much for taking the time...

I will try the easy checks you recommended first and hopefully it can be resolved with a quick fix. I'm bringing it down the hill this weekend to do a few other things and I take a closer look in a well lit garage.

Much appreciated, I will post an update when I can with hopefully a easy fix story.
 
Ok, I had a chance to clean and examine the leak and it looks like the front locker solenoid is where the leaking is happening. I want to check out the front diff breather (at least what portion is accessible) to see if it might be something obvious, but have no idea where the top of the breather is located.

Can someone point me in the right direction where it is located in the engine compartment? Thanks.

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Breather is on the RHS of the picture you posted. It's on the fender about 1/2 way down with another one (so two breathers, side by side).
 
I'm guessing this is it - but just one? I thought there was a tranny breather supposed to be next to it? Is there any method to determine if the line is clogged or not?

Sorry to be a PITA, but I'm definitely learning something new every day and my 4R is the first vehicle I have taken a real interest in understanding the mechanics of it and thanks to this community I have already learned a ton.

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