Lance

I have a small red oil leak out the front of the engine. It left two drip marks close to each other on the driveway. This is the first leak I have. I have 2 pics of where it's leaking, would someone host these for me temporarily?
So what would leak red oil from the front? It feels like transmission fluid, it's not as thick as gear oil. It's definitely oil, so coolant is out.

Thanks

rimpainter.com

If its red and it's oil, it's ATF.

Lance

But from the front of the engine? It's right below the drive belts.

rimpainter.com

Well you say it's oil, so that is what I have to go on. Normally a red liquid from the front of the motor would have water pump written all over it, but if you are positive it is thick (oil) then that is the only other thing it could be.

Can you pressure wash the engine and try to track down the source?

My99

...power steering fluid perhaps? THat'd be red.

rimpainter.com

Good point, maybe that's it.

Duec66

Yeah its probably power steering fluid. When I replaced the radiator in mine I took the hoses off the passenger side bottom, and the same red oil liquid came out. I figured it ran through the radiator to cool off .
You might want to check the hoses where they conect to the radiator for the leak. Or pressure wash the power steering pump and check that.

Lance

Thanks for all the help. I'll be checking on it tonight.

I have 2 pics, can someone posts these? These give a good view of where it's leaking.

rimpainter.com

Just sign up for Monty or another pic hosting site.

Lance

Now that didn't hurt.
It dripped down onto the white plastic.
This is viewing from the front laying on the ground.


A little far back view

Duec66

Never mind the radiator idea. That looks like its coming from under your water pump. No clue

rimpainter.com

I agree.

gohawks

hmmmmm I have the same problem, dripping red oily fluid under the passenger side front of engine. At first I thought it was only happening when I parked on an incline. Last night however I parked flat and there was a drip of the fluid about the size of a quarter.

I've found a couple of other posts referring to this. Did anyone come up with an answer??

1988 4Runner 3.0 Auto

YotaJunky

sounds like power steering fluid to me.

Troy

gohawks

isn't it on the wrong side to be power steering? mine drips on passenger side....really i have no idea lol.....anyone??

YotaJunky

my powersteering is on the passenger's side.

gohawks

yeah i'm pretty much an idiot, the power steering is on the left side....something (presumably the somthing to do with the power steering) is leaking red fluid. It is running down that bottom passenger side of that plate thingy under the front of the truck. I checked the power steering fluid and it appeared to be full....so who knows. I guess i'll just hope it stops lol