Pics Attached! 2000 LX470 Leaking Fluid under pass side suspension. Pink Red Fluid, any ideas?

[TLCJC]

I also had a cracked reservoir (due to a wreck though). Pretty straightforward replacement, and can be had for cheap: Power steering reservoir interchange

I wish I had the time to go junk yard hunting and DIY for this! I go through Dealer and OTRAMM to do it right with OEM and ASE.

It's going to be my kids car soon so I need the mental security the repairs were done right. It's a decent paper trail too if I need to sell.

I can do antenna, wiper blades, washer fluid, battery change etc but other stuff I just pay to get it done as long as they give me a loaner car if longer than one day is needed.

 

[mallard75]

What fluid are you using that’s yellow?

Looks yellow to me. What am I missing?

Unless the PO flushed it with the wrong fluid.

 

[mallard75]

My coolant leak originated here:

Coolant ran down the under side of the hose and terminated where yours is. Took me forever to figure out the source.

 

[2001LC]

The fluid will darken pretty fast. It may look yellow, brown or black as it ages. But if any doubt of what is in the system or it's condition, flush it. It's easy! Again here's a link Steering Flush & Cleaning

The OP location of red fluid does point to leak at or around PS reservoir. A PS pump leak will travel back along parts like the suction hose so that also need consideration, but usually not so high it's seen on upper end of brake line. Toyota red coolant is also red, but OP stated oily and it looks oily, which also point to ATF. There is also transmission cooler lines in area but they ride lower, but could spray up I suppose. As bad as his leak is, it should be easy to find. Something is low!

Again ATF fluid starts out red. Cap on Power Steering reservoir states Dexron ATF

This happens to be a flush of a 200 series. Notice red color of the fresh M1 ATF.

One thing that can really be misleading is how level looks on side of reservoir. I've often seen the reservoir so dirty or stained internally they look as if level is dead on when actually low.
Here's clean and correct level in a 100 series power steering reservoir.

 

[2001LC]

It appears to be coming from this hose

That "hose" is brake line. Brake fluid starts out clear and darkens yellow to brown. Where it is possible for leak at this point, it's not likely what your looking for today or it is in addition to the red leak. After the red leak is corrected and all fluids cleaned off the area, reinspect.

Here's brake fluid.
Fresh

Old

 

[iwashmycar]

Looks yellow to me. What am I missing?

Unless the PO flushed it with the wrong fluid.

That is likely a good guess. Should be very red ATF.

 

[2001LC]

My coolant leak originated here:

View attachment 1848791

Coolant ran down the under side of the hose and terminated where yours is. Took me forever to figure out the source.

That's a fairly common leak. Causes can be; bad hose, pitting on inlet housing goose neck, aftermarket hose. Often someone will put on aftermarket (screw clamp) clamp to try and stop leak.

 

[mallard75]

That is likely a good guess. Should be very red ATF.

Awesome. Glad y’all caught that. That’s frustrating. Hope that whatever is in there doesn’t create addition issues down the road

 

[flashes23]

Im thinking its the coolant that was leaking and running down the brake hose. When I dropped it off at the dealership, i noticed the temperature gauge would rise fairly quickly every time I pressed the gas pedal. I also knew the leaking fluid was pink.

I recently changed all fluids which included, suspension , transmission, diff, etc..

 

[Rockabilly Nick]

Here’s a good stealership story for you all.
So I already know my steering rack is bad on my 03 LX470. It’s just got a slow leak although I never see a level change in the power steering reservoir (very strange but common?). Either way, I bring it to the Toyota dealership for an oil change and ask them to give me a quote on the steering rack. They come into the lobby partway through and tell me I have a transmission leak, there’s red fluid, and they want me to pay $150 for them to track down the source of the leak. I’m like, well I bring it here with a bad leaky steering rack and it uses the same atf, how are you gonna tell me I have a transmission leak?
Uh, well we don’t know for sure but the only way for us to find out is if you have us do the $150 diagnosis.
I suppose I could have leaks at both, but jeez what a joke.