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Engine oil low??? Engine leak from front diff?!

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Old Jul 31, 2016 | 10:48 PM
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Default Engine oil low??? Engine leak from front diff?!

I have a AWD GS350 07, when i did my last oil change i noticed it was damp around this area... This is next to the Oil pan what I believe is leaking is the front diff....

Today strangely my car lit up on the dash display, was ENGINE OIL LOW. I freaked out and it disappeared after a while... I decided to go right under after coming home from lunch and inspect this area where i cleaned up. And guess what? it was leaking from here...
on the left side is where I believe is where the leak is... See where its still damp?

Does anyone have the same problem? is there a recall for this? I'm still missing a recall but am planning to do it soon! I've topped off the oil by adding 1/2 a quart. probably will change my oil soon! Any help guys???

CREDITS TO : OTHIC I was wondering what this part is and i think he's spot on!
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Old Aug 1, 2016 | 05:07 PM
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Isn't the engine suppose to connect to the transmission instead of the differential directly?
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Old Aug 1, 2016 | 05:30 PM
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I have exact same problem 06 GS 300,discovered it a week ago
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Old Aug 1, 2016 | 11:58 PM
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Originally Posted by jmack2688
I have exact same problem 06 GS 300,discovered it a week ago
have you got any information on it? This is kind of driving me nuts i've never noticed this till now!
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Old Aug 2, 2016 | 12:00 AM
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Originally Posted by Gs3500
Isn't the engine suppose to connect to the transmission instead of the differential directly?
I'm using rhino ramps so i couldnt get that great of look... but this is in between the engine oil pan, and a green looking revolving part which go towards the wheels so Othic thinks it's the diff and I'm thinking the same too... but i didn't check the other side to see if there's another one. pretty sure there isn't.
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Old Aug 2, 2016 | 03:31 AM
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That does look like a diff to me, but I can't be sure since it's a bit hard to place that part in the car from the pic, and my GS is RWD so I don't have anything at home to reference.

Since the front diff takes gear oil, it should be really easy to tell if it's leaking: get a bit of the fluid on your finger or a paper towel and smell it – if it smells like 5W-30, the diff isn't leaking; if it has a malodorous, sulfuric quality, you're smelling gear oil and the leak is from your diff.
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Old Aug 3, 2016 | 03:45 AM
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Originally Posted by xbladex00
have you got any information on it? This is kind of driving me nuts i've never noticed this till now!
No but it was independent shop that found it, might be a dealer issue.
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Old Aug 5, 2016 | 04:50 PM
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Did u find out exactly where it is leaking from?
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Old Aug 6, 2016 | 08:19 AM
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Based on what Lexus told me, that IS the front diff. Looks like a failed seal?
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Old Aug 9, 2016 | 12:34 AM
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Originally Posted by Sodium
That does look like a diff to me, but I can't be sure since it's a bit hard to place that part in the car from the pic, and my GS is RWD so I don't have anything at home to reference.

Since the front diff takes gear oil, it should be really easy to tell if it's leaking: get a bit of the fluid on your finger or a paper towel and smell it – if it smells like 5W-30, the diff isn't leaking; if it has a malodorous, sulfuric quality, you're smelling gear oil and the leak is from your diff.
I'll definitely try it out!
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Old Aug 9, 2016 | 12:37 AM
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Originally Posted by Gs3500
Did u find out exactly where it is leaking from?
haven't found out yet... My guess is in between the oil pan and the diff... I still have a recall on the GS for the fuel sensors? maybe it might be the engine gasket since the recall for the camshafts and they didn't torque it correctly...? But i don't see any leaks from the top... might check it out in the morning!
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Old Aug 9, 2016 | 12:38 AM
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Originally Posted by brucelee1
Based on what Lexus told me, that IS the front diff. Looks like a failed seal?
Yea figures it's the front diff... I'm not entirely sure yet but i do run the car hard about 30% of the time....
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Old Aug 11, 2016 | 10:51 AM
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Default It's a diff leak

Originally Posted by xbladex00
I'll definitely try it out!
So I smelt it today and I compared the smell to engine oil. It had a Sourish smell to it so I think it's diff fluid and it looks a lot lighter than engine oil.
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Old Aug 12, 2016 | 02:35 AM
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Originally Posted by xbladex00
So I smelt it today and I compared the smell to engine oil. It had a Sourish smell to it so I think it's diff fluid and it looks a lot lighter than engine oil.
Yep, that sounds like diff fluid – it's the only car fluid that really smells bad.

Did you change your diff fluid recently?
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Old Aug 13, 2016 | 12:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Sodium
Yep, that sounds like diff fluid – it's the only car fluid that really smells bad.

Did you change your diff fluid recently?
I haven't changed my tranny or diff fluids yet. I'm about to change them soon... Ganna get a shop to do it, since they had good ratings and quoted me about 500$ for tranny and rear diff... Might get them to check out the front diff too while they're at it...
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