New Tundra owner question on leak

Hello everyone!

New Tundra owner here. Picked up a one-owner 07' with the 5.7L. Only has a mere 53K on the clock.

Anyhow, I was cleaning it yesterday and noticed a drop on the ground, appears to be a slow transmission fluid leak? What do you guys think is going on here?

Thanks in advance.

 

haven't seen this one before, clean it off real good and keep watch for new liquid

 

Looks like that may be coolant

 

Welcome from LA (Lower Alabama)! I agree with @Cg13055. That will also give you a clue about the leak rate.

 

Like @frichco228 said, looks like coolant
Get a drop on your finger and taste it.
If it sweet, it's coolant

 

Thanks fellas for the responses.

I’ll give it a taste next time I check on this.

From what I just tried to research real quick, there is no way to check ATF fluid level without taking it to someone?

 

Welcome from So Cal

 

Coolant valley leak from the top of the engine? Happened to me.

 

Yes, there is a procedure to check the ATF level where you jumper some pins no the OBD harness to put the truck into a special diagnostic mode (and lock open the transmission fluid thermostat) and certain lights will flash on the dash when the transmission is up to temp, then you can open the overflow underneath to see if any fluid comes out. You would expect almost nothing to come out of a properly filled truck, but if none comes out then you would need to repeat the test after the tranny has cooled down a bit with the fill plug pulled so you can add fluid when the temp indication flashes and see how much it takes to get some to dribble out.

99% that is coolant you're seeing though.

 

What was the solution? I looked a little harder and does seem to be coming from further up than I suspected…

 

Mine was still under warranty so the dealer removed the coolant valley cover, placed a new gasket seal (the old seal was very thin on the rear of the valley), then bolted everything back up. I could have easily done it myself but I had to take advantage of the warranty.

 

I would expect the trans fluid to be much darker from an internal leak.

 

Welcome from Ohio

 

Thanks for the welcomes!

I wiped it down and it did return, not immediately after driving but after it sits for couple hours or overnight. It does appear to be coming from a little further up...

Taking it in to my local import shop on Wednesday for an all around inspection and for them to take a look. All the digging I've done makes me think it could be the water pump? Not sure but will find out and let you all know!

 

ATF will not crust over, coolant will when it dries.

 

Its coolant, it crystallizes like that.. you can ask me how I know... my water pump exploded at 25k and my whole engine bay was caked with crystalized pink stuff....

 

You can check it but it won't do much good, even taking it to someone all they will do is take the cap off and see if there is anything there lol

 

Update:

Shop said it is originating from the water pump.

quote is as follows:

pump $171, coolant $71, labor $304 (3.5 hrs)

Total is just shy of $550.

I said let's do it! From my records from previous owner the coolant has never been changed anyhow so all will get done with this repair.

They did an inspection on the rest and said all looks good but advised to do diff fluids and ATF fluid...

 

DO NOT FLUSH YOUR TRANS, sorry for screaming just don't want you to fall for something that many others had bad issues with, just my opinion based on my research. just drain the fluid and replace a trans flush has given many members transmission issues it's just not a good idea on these trucks unless you want some specifically annoying issues. But repairs are always good treat your truck well and it will treat you well. I did my trans stuff in my driveway if you're into that, the fluid is expensive as it's specific to toyotas but you can to it with a $13 autozone pump and some patience

 

Did the shop do a pressure test on the coolant system. My guess it's might be a small, very small leak in the plastic part of the radiator.

 

Coolant leak. My 4.7L 4Runner looked just like that about 2 months ago. Plastic radiator...

 

Belated welcome from NY.