I have a 1997 Land Cruiser. Started smelling 90 weight oil so I popped my head under the truck and discovered a leak. Took a look at the offending part and broke out the Haynes and Chilton manuals. Couldn’t find a dang thing that looked or sounded like it was the correct part. I did my best to search the archives here, but conducting an accurate search relies, in part, to knowing what the heck a part is called!

So I thought I’d snap a cpl pictures, post them here, and see if one of you can help me out.


The part that’s being pointed to by the red arrow in one of the pics is loose. It seems to be seated with RTV. The part can rotate about ¼ turn instead of being solidly in place. It appears as if this is where the oil is coming from.

Hopefully someone can ID the part for me. If so, is this all just a matter of cleaning and reseating the part with new RTV or is a replacement part in order?

Thanks,
Paul

 

Ok Paul...it looks like its attached to the transmission/ transfer case....not the rear or front axle...Originally I thought of the axles because of the comment of 90w oil smell....if its what I think it is, maybe the speedometer sensor or reverse sending unit? Where its placed makes me think more towards the speed sensor.

-Ted

 

Thanks Ted. I suppose I should have taken a pic from farther away so everyone could get a better referance of where the part is located!

I attached a new pic. It was taken from the driver's side rear tire. Arrow points to the leaking part.

Since the speed sensor is loose does that mean it needs to be replaced or would new RTV hold it in place?

I may be travelling across the country with this rig and want to ensure I fix this problem before I leave!

 

I would have to agree that its a speed sensor. If there is already red RTV there then some body previously messed with and likely didn't fix it properly. I'd look into it more than just cleaning and putting more RTV on it. Fix it right.