Leak behind divers side wheel well?
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: NJ
Leak behind divers side wheel well?
I noticed that the passenger side wheel well on my 2012 ES350 has some fluid leaking on it. This is directly behind the tire by the passenger side front door.
I don’t think it’s motor oil as it seems pretty full and the reserve coolant tank is full as well. Could it be power steering fluid?
From the top I really can’t tell and I can’t really see underneath either.
I think I’ll bring to dealer next week. Any suggestions on what it might be?
Thanks
I don’t think it’s motor oil as it seems pretty full and the reserve coolant tank is full as well. Could it be power steering fluid?
From the top I really can’t tell and I can’t really see underneath either.
I think I’ll bring to dealer next week. Any suggestions on what it might be?
Thanks
Last edited by JoeYello; Oct 2, 2019 at 04:53 PM.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 5
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From: NJ
CL Community Team
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,150
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From: VA
It is most likely due to a clogged sunroof drain. This is common. Open the sunroof, in the front corners you should find the small holes that connect to the drain tubes. On the passenger side hole get some stiff Weed Wacker Cord and push it through the hole. You may encounter some resistance part way down as that is where it is clogged with debris. Work it back and forth to get it through until you see it come out under the car, or hear, or see water come out under the car. The exit point for the sunroof drain maybe hidden behind the wheel well liner. I have fixed this on a Honda and a Cadillac, but not a Lexus, but most vehicles are very similar in this design area. Good Luck.
There are youtube videos on clearing sunroof drains.
There are youtube videos on clearing sunroof drains.
CL Community Team
Joined: May 2005
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From: VA
There is no engine oil or power steering fluid or transmission fluid that could enter the passenger compartment.
Only engine coolant enters the passenger compartment as part of the heating system.
The leak is most likely just water from a clogged sunroof drain. This is more likely since the OP said the coolant reservoir tank was full.
Only engine coolant enters the passenger compartment as part of the heating system.
The leak is most likely just water from a clogged sunroof drain. This is more likely since the OP said the coolant reservoir tank was full.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2019
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From: Alberta
The other possibility is that the a/c drain, which comes down behind the dash and through a tube to a hole in the floorboard by the passenger left foot firewall/kick area and under the carpet, has come adrift and is dumping condensate into the cabin instead of out under the vehicle. Pull the carpet up in that area and take a look.
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CL Community Team
Joined: May 2005
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From: VA
Tootsall is correct. I woke up thinking about that possibility. It is easy to check. When the A/C is on, if there is no water under the car, then the line is clogged. You can clear it from below by pushing weed wacker line through the hose. Or take it to any repair shop and they will blow it out with compressed air and check the system.
You need to dry out your carpets to prevent mold from growing under and on the pad.
You need to dry out your carpets to prevent mold from growing under and on the pad.
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CL Community Team
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From: VA
You probably need a new steering rack, sorry about the confusion with an internal water leak.
If lucky it is just a hose, but usually it is the rack. I think yours is the rack since you located fluid in the wheel well and the rack bolts to the firewall at the back of the engine bay.
The dealer will be more expensive than an independent shop. This is still an expensive repair but very common and any decent shop can diagnose and replace it. Rebuilt racks are cheaper than new ones.
Remember this part is exactly the same as on the Camry, so if you like going to the dealer, at least call the Toyota dealer too and price shop.
If lucky it is just a hose, but usually it is the rack. I think yours is the rack since you located fluid in the wheel well and the rack bolts to the firewall at the back of the engine bay.
The dealer will be more expensive than an independent shop. This is still an expensive repair but very common and any decent shop can diagnose and replace it. Rebuilt racks are cheaper than new ones.
Remember this part is exactly the same as on the Camry, so if you like going to the dealer, at least call the Toyota dealer too and price shop.
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