red-ish/oil fluid leak - passenger rear

[jvangun]

I was really hoping that I'd never have to submit a post like this. On a roadtrip with the fam and notice a red-ish oily substance dripping down from the mud flap just behind the passenger REAR tire. I looked up behind the tire and see what appears to be a metal line with insulation. There is a 45 degree angle and that appears to be the source of the leak. I have it up at Dobb's right now waiting to be looked at this morn but also wanted to see what this group thought it might be. Really praying for an inexpensive line break or something

 

[ogsuv]

Looks like only things back there are rear a/c lines and a drain for rear gate or sunroof not sure. Water from drain could be reddish from rust but don't think a freon leak would be reddish. Neither are life or death but a/c could be expensive depending on how you fix. I just capped my rear lines off an no regrets.

 

[jvangun]

Thanks ogsuv. Any chance that it might be a leaky brake line? The leak is above the rear tire up against the body.

 

[ENGINE er]

I have seen blue brake fluid but never red. Even when it's dirty it's more brown.

Did the fluid feel greasy, watery, or dry like hydraulic fluid?

 

[jvangun]

Did the fluid feel greasy, watery, or dry like hydraulic fluid?[/QUOTE]

It seem's to be kind of "oily". Talked to them late this morning and they are having a hard time identifying any sort of leak anywhere. They think it was coming from the front wheel and then being thrown to the back where it is hitting the back wheel but can't figure out where it it coming from. I asked them to run a pressure test on the a/c and radiator system just to be safe. I'll hose it all down when it gets back and then keep an eye on the fluid levels.

 

[jvangun]

After a very thorough system check including pressurized tests for radiator and a/c they were unable to find any sort of leak of fluid anywhere. Best guess is that I might have drove through something just before pulling off the highway. While it sucks to be out the $100 I'm glad that I didn't have to deal with a major service while on vacation. Thanks to engine er and ogsuv for taking the time to provide some ideas on potential causes. Feel kind of stupid and hope that they were right and that I don't encounter any more unexpected issues.

 

[splacek007]

jvangun - funny enough, I had the same issue a month or so ago. The AC drain was somehow following this line back on the passenger side just behind the wheel. However, the water (from the AC) did not evap. on my garage floor and had an oily consistency (and actually kind of smelled like power steering fluid - the res. is near that area). The line was packed w/ grease around it...I took it apart, cleaned it, and no more problems.

I am thinking that when I had the wheel bearings repacked this past Fall/Winter, excess grease was thrown back there and packed itself in, and for some reason the drain followed that line and when the AC water and grease mixed it looked like a leak?

Very similar to your issue, if not identical. I didn't do anything but take apart the area and clean it.

 

[Tahomatom]

I will point out that when I had to replace my rediator that almost everyone I asked about what coolant to purchase told me "Toyota Red".

I was also told that there should be a line that runs to the back of the LC on the ones that have the rear AC. If I remember correctly there is something in the FAQ that shows how much coolant is needed for a single unit AC LC and one with the rear AC.

I would double check there.

 

[Brock]

are you sure it is not red coolant or power steering fluid finding its way back there during highway travel running down a line or the frame? Maybe it only comes out under pressure and at idle is not enough...

just want to make sure you check everything.