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Lubricant leak?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by crywolf, Sep 18, 2009.

  1. crywolf

    crywolf New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2009
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    Location:
    Utah
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I am apparently getting a very thick jet black oil leak by the left front tire and the right rear tire. It is slow and intermittent, just a few drops now and then. Any ideas on what could be leaking?
     
    #1 crywolf, Sep 18, 2009
  2. jim256

    jim256 Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Eastern NC
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Just an idea, but if it's almost new and getting hot from long runs, it could just be some undercoating material that has gotten hot and is dripping. Can you detect an odor? Consistency (watery, oily, sticky)?
     
    #2 jim256, Sep 18, 2009
  3. Bobsprius

    Bobsprius BobPrius

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2009
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    Location:
    Buffalo
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    The 2 locations you identified are on opposite sides of the car. The first thought that comes to mind, is the description of " THICK JET BLACK OIL", there is to the best of my knowledge no lubricant in the vehicle of that color OR description. As the additional poster commented, it sounds more descriptive of a Undercoat that when hot, still ran? You didn't mention if you undercoated your vehicle.
    Brake Fluid is not Thick Jet Black even under less than ideal conditions. Maybe they serviced your vehicle and some residual "grease" but I have not had mine in for service yet so am unsure what they grease on this vehicle, since it sounds related to wheel area.

    I don't think it's anything major at this point, but let us know mileage, and if you had undercoating done, or recent service or new delivery...
     
    #3 Bobsprius, Sep 18, 2009
  4. crywolf

    crywolf New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2009
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    Location:
    Utah
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I took it to the dealership. Yes, it was the undercoating done by the dealership that was leaking. This was a worthless addition already done by the dealer (cash4clunkers). I read somewhere on this site that it is not recommended by Toyota and you get a mess in your garage on top of that.
    Thanks for the replies.
     
    #4 crywolf, Sep 23, 2009
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