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Stain on differential case...bad?

Discussion in 'Technical Chat' started by hdxfiddler, Jul 25, 2013.

  1. Jul 25, 2013 at 9:38 PM
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    hdxfiddler

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    hdxfiddler [OP] Member

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    I drive a 2010 Tacoma 2.7L access cab 5-lug with about 71,000 miles, and noticed something as I was cleaning my tires. The differential case appears to have a stain around where the bolts are, so I'm wondering if that is a bad thing? I've seen plenty of differentials on other vehicles with stains like this, so I'm assuming it is normal. I just want to make sure so I don't have any issues in the future.

    P9120029_zps72daf224_0781b170045e8bb566c16a992bc4cad1d9ce8e2e.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jul 25, 2013
    hdxfiddler, Jul 25, 2013
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  2. Jul 25, 2013 at 9:47 PM
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    tostidos

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    tostidos Well-Known Member

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    welcome to TW. Have you checked your oil level?
     
    tostidos, Jul 25, 2013
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  3. Jul 25, 2013 at 9:50 PM
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    Fluffymonkey

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    Fluffymonkey Token

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    Is there any leakage?
     
    Fluffymonkey, Jul 25, 2013
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  4. Jul 25, 2013 at 9:55 PM
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    hdxfiddler

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    hdxfiddler [OP] Member

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    Not yet, but I'll do it as soon as I can. I already bought some new Valvoline
    $29 75w-90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)
    75w-90 at Napa, but haven't gotten around to changing it. I've only had my truck since December 2012, so it had nearly 66,000 miles when I got it. I do really like my truck, so I don't want to let anything go by the wayside.
     
    Last edited: Jul 25, 2013
    hdxfiddler, Jul 25, 2013
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  5. Jul 25, 2013 at 10:00 PM
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    TrdSurgie

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    Easy fix. Drain the diff, pull 3rd, clean surfaces and reseal with rtv.

    Thats if you're worried about it. Otherwise, just open the fill plug and stick your finger in there. If you can feel the oil level, you're fine.
     
    TrdSurgie, Jul 25, 2013
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  6. Jul 25, 2013 at 10:17 PM
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    hdxfiddler

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    hdxfiddler [OP] Member

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    Thanks for the info! I will check the oil level and see where it's at. I really have no idea if the oil has been changed since the truck was new, so it must be overdo at this point.

    My dad has nearly 80K on his '07 Pre-Runner diff oil with no issues whatsoever. I'm trying to convince him to change it, but we'll see...
     
    hdxfiddler, Jul 25, 2013
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  7. Jul 26, 2013 at 1:41 AM
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    92LandCruiser

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    92LandCruiser Well-Known Member

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    looks like it's seeping, check to see if all the nuts are tight, then clean off all the oil and check to see where it's coming from.
     
    92LandCruiser, Jul 26, 2013
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  8. Jul 26, 2013 at 1:54 AM
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    4OYOTER

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    4OYOTER Well-Known Member

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    I had this on my first gen and it wasn't long until it started massively leaking diff fluid onto the drive way... Then I had it on my second gen - I kept an eye on it and it never got worse. Sprayed it with the garden hose and can't even see the stain anymore.

    Just keep an eye on it and make sure your fluid is at correct level. If it gets to the point where it's visibly leaking and you're actually loosing a measurable amount of fluid then it definitely needs to be fixed.
     
    4OYOTER, Jul 26, 2013
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  9. Jul 26, 2013 at 2:22 AM
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    BMOC

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    BMOC Well-Known Member

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    i torque those nuts every oil change
     
    BMOC, Jul 26, 2013
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  10. Jul 26, 2013 at 11:32 AM
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    hdxfiddler

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    hdxfiddler [OP] Member

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    I just checked the oil level in my differential, and the level was just below the fill plug. It also looked remarkably clean on my finger, at least. That stuff does smell like rotten eggs, for sure! I drove a FWD car before I got this truck, so I'm getting used to having a solid rear axle.
     
    hdxfiddler, Jul 26, 2013
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  11. Jul 26, 2013 at 11:49 AM
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    Lumpskie

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    Lumpskie Independent Thinker

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    ^If the oil is pretty clean, that stain can just be oil from the last change if the previous owner was sloppy. Like mentioned before, I'd clean, torque the nuts and keep an eye on it.
     
    Lumpskie, Jul 26, 2013
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  12. Jul 28, 2013 at 12:53 PM
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    hdxfiddler

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    hdxfiddler [OP] Member

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    Does anyone know the torque spec for these bolts? I'm sure I can look it up, too.
     
    hdxfiddler, Jul 28, 2013
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  13. Jul 28, 2013 at 1:06 PM
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    Janster

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    Janster Old & Forgetful

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    Nothing to be alarmed about. Any vehicle that gets older with a lot of miles will develop 'sweating'.

    When you start noticing 'drips' - then you can start to worry a little more and check the fluid levels more regularly.
     
    Janster, Jul 28, 2013
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Mobil 1 104361 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)
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