Common oil leak locations?

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wpsfan

10 Year
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Oct 20, 2015
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Hi all. I picked up an 01 LC a couple of days ago and noticed a decent sized oil spot the next morning following the 2 hour drive home. I haven't had a chance to get it in the air and check it out, but thought it would be a good idea to ask the experts since I know little to nothing about these things. The oil was changed 3 months ago and it's a 1/2 qt low. Not sure if it helps but there should be a picture below, it's more toward the drivers side. Any info is appreciated!


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Check to see if the oil filter is tightened and if there is a drip there. Seems unusual, but the filter is right above that place. You may also need to remove the skids to determine location/cause of leak.
 
I'm betting on an axle seal.
 
To be down 1/2 qt oil is indication it's an oil leak, assuming it was top-off and check properly. I agree ^^ with SmoothLC & r3run33.
 
My guess would be the steering rack, the CV's are grease filled and would spatter out while driving, not drip. As stated above, the oil filter is in that region as well. Color and odor of the fluid would help determine what it is as well.

I had a puddle under my 100 this summer. I did old finger in the puddle and sniff test... It turns out the cruiser was fine, but my 12 year old yellow lab had developed a leak.


Sent from my iPhone
 
Yes, shortly after I got my low mileage unit home after a 6 hour drive, I had a leak from the power steering rack and my valve cover gaskets...
 
Appreciate the replies. It dropped it off to get detailed this morning but as soon as I get it home I'll do the sniff and color test, I'll refrain from the taste test after reading elk's reply. :D

Power steering fluid may be a winner, first thing I saw was a bottle in the back floorboard and asked if it leaked, owned said something along the lines of "not really" but his mechanic said a cheap hose needed replaced and he added a little. Forgot about that.
 
wpsfan said:
Appreciate the replies. It dropped it off to get detailed this morning but as soon as I get it home I'll do the sniff and color test, I'll refrain from the taste test after reading elk's reply. :D

Power steering fluid may be a winner, first thing I saw was a bottle in the back floorboard and asked if it leaked, owned said something along the lines of "not really" but his mechanic said a cheap hose needed replaced and he added a little. Forgot about that.
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The 100 uses ATF fluid in the transmission & power steering, not power steering fluid. Using power steering fluid will cause problems.

Base line it is best practices for (any) newly acquired pre owned. That is; change all lubes, fluids and filter, as one has no idea what has been used/put in by PO. Inspect that all service required has been done for the mileage, and if any doubt do it.
 
2001LC said:
The 100 uses ATF fluid in the transmission & power steering, not power steering fluid. Using power steering fluid will cause problems.

Base line it is best practices for (any) newly acquired pre owned. That is; change all lubes, fluids and filter, as one has no idea what has been used/put in by PO. Inspect that all service required has been done for the mileage, and if any doubt do it.
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Well, that sucks. PS fluid is what the PO used and I even added a little yesterday as well. As for problems, pump failure or just leakage? I'll flush it and switch to ATF asap, thanks. I'm definitely base lining everything. The timing belt was replaced at 148k, it has 181k on it now. I guess it's good that it was done fairly recently, bad that it was done later than 120k.

Quick before and after over the last few days, cleaned up alright, still a ways to go.

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I changed the front & rear diff fluid, transfer case fluid, and oil / filter today(huge thanks to the awesome writeups in the FAQ) . Tons of old oil & grease buildup in the front end but it looked to me like the leak is coming from the steering rack. Should be a pic below, not sure if it helps? Thanks.


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2001LC said:
The 100 uses ATF fluid in the transmission & power steering, not power steering fluid. Using power steering fluid will cause problems.

Base line it is best practices for (any) newly acquired pre owned. That is; change all lubes, fluids and filter, as one has no idea what has been used/put in by PO. Inspect that all
service required has been done for the mileage, and if any doubt do it.
Click to expand...

Holy ATF batman... i noticed brake reservoir needed topping off and all I had was dot3. Glad I held off as I was confused on why it needed ATF.
 
bucfl said:
Holy ATF batman... i noticed brake reservoir needed topping off and all I had was dot3. Glad I held off as I was confused on why it needed ATF.
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Brake fluid should never need topping off. It"s normal for brake fluid level to drop lower as brake pads wear (thin), and comes back up when thick new pads are installed. Unless you have a brake fluid leak, which always must be repair ASAP. One more note; keep your factory brake fluid as long as it's clear. 100s made in Japan have the best brake fluid you can get, which bottle of are not allowed to be imported into USA (EPA). But I'd flush if any fluid has been used to top off, DOT 3 or some unknown fluid.
 
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wpsfan said:
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Bottle of steering fluid left by PO and pictures appearance strong clues. I'd first flush (and re-flush after ~200 miles) the power steering system with 1 or 2qt Mobil 1 synthetic ATF MV, 30 min job. Personally I use all synthetic lubes, which cleans out the gunk. Synthetics also have very good seal modifiers, which tighten (swell) the seals. Then using a degreaser power wash engine, front drive shaft (AKA CV) boots, wheels and drivetrain all the back to rear end out to wheels. Make it shin top to bottom. Then drive keeping eye out for leaks from end to end, inspecting daily with a very good flash light.

Oh and remember to grease those spider joints (universals) and slip joint of both propeller shafts (AKA drive shafts), 5 grease zerks IIRC.
Tip: I Flush my 2001 coolant system with a 50/50 mix of Toyota red 100% and demineralized water mixed in a bucket the poured in.
 
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wpsfan said:
Well, that sucks. PS fluid is what the PO used and I even added a little yesterday as well. As for problems, pump failure or just leakage? ****
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Hard to say, but I've seen leaking along with hard steering and nosy power steering pump which is most noticeable when cold. Hard to say because people top off power steering brake fluid reservoir when low, presumable from leaking.
 
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Really appreciate the help 01LC. I was quoted $160 for a PS flush by the dealer and even more by an independent Yota shop. I'll be doing this myself for that price. See any issue with using the turkey baster method instead of disconnecting the line? Not sure when I can make it back to the self-repair shop and I'd like to keep the mess to a minimum at my apartment.
 
I'm also going to have the undercarriage steam cleaned by a local shop, supposedly that does wonders.
 
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