Mysterious Leak - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Strum · 07-21-2009, 06:11 PM

I noticed a spot on the garage floor and put some newspaper down to get an idea of where it is dripping from. The point of where it is hitting the ground is almost directly under the shaft from the fan. However, there is a tray or protective shield that sits below that, so it could be dripping from anywhere along the shield.

The fluid is oily, but very clean, about the color of new motor oil right out of the bottle. I changed the oil two weeks ago, but did not drip any onto the engine and this just seems to have started no earlier than this past weekend. Checked oil level and appears to be no loss of oil. I also had the radiator replaced, but this is not radiator fluid.

I charged the A/C and was wondering if there is a leak, would it discha rge an oily substance. Since it is so clean, that is the only thing I can think of.

I wiped down the underside of the shield to make sure it is fresh drops and ran the car to full operating temp. I'm waiting now to see if it is still leaking. Also, , there the upper part of the shield (side facing the fan) is wet.

Retrospekt · 07-21-2009, 06:15 PM

Does it have a red tint? If so, it's power steering. I just had a bad power steering leak in my car. The pump and main valve are located by the passenger side front wheel, but there are 2 hoses that go to the front of the car (by the radiator) and the other goes behind the block. I'm guessing the hose that goes in the direction of the radiator is cracked.

Find the power steering fluid enclosure (left side of engine) and follow the hose. Just ride your finger or a piece of paper over it and see if you hit a wet spot.

Strum · 07-21-2009, 06:49 PM

I think I located it. It may be coming from the hydraulic motor or one of teh two connecting hoses. The tray is wet in about a 1 foot area below the motor housing, it is oily on the underside of the housing.

Now, I will have to take a closer look to see if I can tell where it is actually leaking (housing or hose connection).

Would this possibly been damaged when the radiator was replaced?

Strum · 07-23-2009, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retrospekt

Does it have a red tint? If so, it's power steering. I just had a bad power steering leak in my car. The pump and main valve are located by the passenger side front wheel, but there are 2 hoses that go to the front of the car (by the radiator) and the other goes behind the block. I'm guessing the hose that goes in the direction of the radiator is cracked.

I believe you are correct. The hoses on my 93 V6 go towards the firewall, but I found that one goes around the engine and then back up to the front and it appears to be the hose that connects to the hydraulic motor. The color of the reservoir fluid matched the fluid I was able to dab from the bottom of the hydraulic motor. I was checking the fluid as it dropped from the guard and I think enough dirt got into the fluid to change color and make me think it wasn't the p/s fluid.

Unfortunately, I cannot find any leak in the hose, so it is most likely the hydraulic motor.

Retrospekt · 07-23-2009, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strum

I believe you are correct. The hoses on my 93 V6 go towards the firewall, but I found that one goes around the engine and then back up to the front and it appears to be the hose that connects to the hydraulic motor. The color of the reservoir fluid matched the fluid I was able to dab from the bottom of the hydraulic motor. I was checking the fluid as it dropped from the guard and I think enough dirt got into the fluid to change color and make me think it wasn't the p/s fluid.

Unfortunately, I cannot find any leak in the hose, so it is most likely the hydraulic motor.

Check the clamps also. I had a leak from the clamp as well as from a very small crack in my hose.

Strum · 07-25-2009, 08:26 AM

I found the source of the leak (actually someone else did). From the front of the car there are two connections on the top of the housing, one coming from the reservoir that is routed around the engine and to the housing (right side connection) the other is on the left of the housing and leads to a filter.

The connection on the right has a bad seal or a seal that isn't seated properly.

My Haynes does not give a diagram of the right side connection and any detail showing the seal placement.

A few questions:

1) Despite my poor description, does anyone know where I might find a diagram of the connection (link)

2) I have Toyota ATF IV left over from my 2004 Highlander, do you think that would be ok to use when refilling the reservoir?

3) Where would I find the part number for the seal if it needs to be replaced. I assume this isn't a common part since this set-up was only used 1992 - 1994 on 6 cyl Camry's.