Fluid From Front Differential Breathers?

[Howard70]

Hello:

Our '04 Tacoma Doublecab has two breathers attached to the driver's side fender well about 1' behind the battery. After tracing them down below the engine, and looking at some posts on TTORA, I'm assuming one is the breather vent for the front differential and the other is for the ADD mechanism.

Recently there is a fair amount of fluid (smells like differential fluid) that has run down the hoses from the vents and coated part of the frame and the skid plate. Not enough to drip, but enough to be noticeable.

Any ideas what would cause this? Truck has 25K miles, is new to us but was well maintained by the previous owner. I'm not certain, but I think the fluid became apparent about two weeks ago. I had been working on the front suspension (installing Tundra springs) and the axles were frequently moved through their whole vertical range. Truck hasn't been in 4 wheel drive for more than 1/4 mile in a month or so.

Thanks for any ideas.

Howard L. Snell

 

[flyingwil]

Truck hasn't been in 4 wheel drive for more than 1/4 mile in a month or so.

There is your problem right there. (the owners manual says ___ miles per month!) Sweeet!

They are both breathers, like you said. I would assume you are correct with your asumption and would not worry about it unless it persists.

 

[Howard70]

Thanks

Hello Will:

Thanks for the comments. You're absolutely correct about the lack of 4 wheel drive miles being a problem! We had truck #1 just about completed and ready for our anticipate field work in November. Then a drunk driver totaled that one and we started over.... So truck #2 is coming along well, but misssing those "real" miles.

Howard

 

[flyingwil]

Hello Will:

Thanks for the comments. You're absolutely correct about the lack of 4 wheel drive miles being a problem! We had truck #1 just about completed and ready for our anticipate field work in November. Then a drunk driver totaled that one and we started over.... So truck #2 is coming along well, but misssing those "real" miles.

Howard

Howard-

I was just Joking... with that remark. Sarcasm is hard to see in words.

However, on a serious note, it is in my owner's manual that it is recommended to drive XXX Miles (I think 10?) in 4WD each month. I read that and thought that it was interesting, and gives me an excuse to go out on my days off.

I would just wipe the breathers down and see if the overflow persists. My guess is that while working you got bubbles in the lines and they are just popping out as you start to drive and produce heat. With the added heat the gasses must escape and therefore in my theory pushing the bubbles out. Take a small "test" drive and see if it persists. If it does, I am at a loss other than replacing the fluid.

I think I remember a post about the misfortune with truck #1 a while back.

 

[Grim Reaper]

My concern would be if they had water in them. Did the PO wheel?

Pull the fill plugs and see if it is overfilled. Have a catch ready. A little over fill is no big deal but if it is pouring out like it has an extra quart I would drain them and check for water contamination.

 

[Howard70]

Thanks again

Hey Guys:

Thanks for the additional ideas. I'm going to check for excess fluid. I hadn't done that before since I thought the problem developed after we received the truck and I hadn't added fluid. But it may be that I just overlooked the leakage in my initial checks. I also hadn't though about water getting in - that would certainly raise the level!

The previous owner didn't wheel much in the Tacoma - he had a great CJ that was his offroad toy. The Tacoma's skid plates didn't even have any scratches and the truck lacks "pin striping". But water could be the culprit if he crossed a flooded highway or underpass without getting offroad.

Thanks again,

Howard

 

[Ursidae69]

Howard, I have a pretty oily residue on my two breathers. I plan to take a closer look when I am doing the gears this week. I'll let you know if I notice anything. Let's get together after the New Year, I'm wanting to see the new truck and the old one too if you are parting it out.

Chuck...

 

[Howard70]

Hey Chuck

Hey Chuck:

Getting together after New Years sounds great. Heidi and I have the front & rear suspension, the new rear bumper, and the ARE shell done on truck #2. I'm fiddling with the TJM bumper and M8000 and hopefully getting the wheels and 255/85/16 tires remounted and balanced (a couple of them had the bead seals broke from the rims and the weights torn off in the wreck of truck #1) this week, so we might even be able make a day trip locally.

I'm slowly scavanging stuff from truck #1. The next project is removing it's differentials (with the 4.88s and the front ARB) over to truck #2. The final transfer will be the manual hubs and the ORS high angle axle that wasn't destroyed. Once we get all that over to the new truck (and replace the one axle) we'll back where we were in October!

Have a great Christmas and New Years. Good luck with the regearing - I think you'll really like the 4.88s.

Howard