Request help in identifying leak

[JohnRgr2005]

Hello, 2005 Ranger XLT 4x4 4.0l
New to Rangers And 4x4, found leak and requesting help in understanding cause and what may be needed to fix. Posting some pix.
Thanks

 

[Uncle Gump]

The rule with oil leaks... they travel down and blow back. The one picture appears to show a leak above the trans pan (the picture appears upside down). I can see trans fluid on the case above the pan.

 

[Uncle Gump]

It alsoo appears that someone before you used some sort of RTV to "glue" the trans pan. I never use any kind of sealant on transmission pans. Just an FYI...

 

[JohnRgr2005]

all photos correct orientation, taken from below. Truck has 75K miles . May be a dump question, but is this the "transfer case" or the transmission?

 

[JohnRgr2005]

Crawled back underneath (like that there is enough clearance to do that)
took some additional pics. thinking maybe the front input seal?

 

[pjtoledo]

looks like the pinion seal in the front differential.
differential lube has a very unique smell, it's very pungent. what does this stuff smell like?

also has oil around the cover of the diff, so that's kind of contradictory.

clean it off with a solvent, then see where it comes back from.

 

[sgtsandman]

looks like the pinion seal in the front differential.
differential lube has a very unique smell, it's very pungent. what does this stuff smell like?

also has oil around the cover of the diff, so that's kind of contradictory.

clean it off with a solvent, then see where it comes back from.

I'm leaning toward a differential leak as well. Looking where the majority of the fluid is, does look to be a pinion seal leak like you guess. I agree the OP needs to clean everything off with brake cleaner and see where the fluid comes back first.

 

[JohnRgr2005]

Thanks guys. I have to ask if it is a bad leak or can I drive it ?

 

[pjtoledo]

gear oil is thick and ooses out slowly.
go by the puddle where you park it. just dots I'd drive it.
a puddle you need to walk around warrants checking fluid level.
it never hurts to check the level, add until it runs out the fill hole. you'll need a hose.

 

[JohnRgr2005]

Just noticed dots where I park at work. Thanks

 

[dvdswan]

Dots add up eventually. Check your levels accordingly. If you can't tell where the drip is coming from, get some degreaser cleaner like "gunk" spray the whole undercarriage and engine then clean it off. Take a small trip, 25 or so miles, then look again for where the drips are coming from. As @Uncle Gump said, "The rule with oil leaks... they travel down and blow back."

 

[JohnRgr2005]

Follow up
cleaned off with brake cleaner (worked great)
Topped off Front differential with 80-90Wt API Gl-5 Gear Oil
went for ride apx 40 miles photos attached.
From what I see the oil is coming from rear of differential
Looks like you guys were right and most likely pinion seal leaking