Transmission leak?

[coleshooter]

Had a slow leak for a little bit (not too long, and it doesn't seem to be a big leak, but on my first day off where it wasn't raining, snowing, or massively windy, I decided to change my oil, replace the timing chain tensioner, and track down where the dripping was coming from. Much to my chagrin, it's dripping off the transmission.

http://i.imgur.com/UAU2O.jpg

It drips off the lowest point of the circled black plastic piece underneath the trans. Already ordered a new filter (filtran, of course), gasket, etc., and it'll go to the transmission shop next week. Anybody know what I may be looking at here?

Also, I had quite a bear of a time cleaning off the underside sheathing because there's been some sort of leak (perhaps power steering fluid.) Here's a pic from near the driver's side underside.
http://i.imgur.com/KwXVol.jpg
Not sure why that bolt is wetter than everything else. Just more to work on, I guess.

[KGB7]

Looks like baked on engine oil. ATF bakes on a difirent shade of color.

Clean eveything first. Then check for leacks daily till you find a source.

[coleshooter]

The trans leak area had been wiped off at that point. It feels like there's more underneath that black plastic piece, as some comes out if you press on it.

[KGB7]

Could be one of two things but you need to remove the black rubber cover and look inside.

1 crank o-ring is leaking.
2 transsmission o-ring seal.

Smell the fresh fluid that comes out and it should give you better idea what kind of fluid your leaking.

Engine oil has plesent smell.
ATF smells kind of bad. Kind of eggy or trash smell.

Sorry for typos im on my cell phone.

Another thing.

Get as.much of the fluid on your hands once you remove the rubber cover then wipe it off on to a white paper towel. Color of fluid on papwr towel will give a good indication what type.of fluid it is.

Compare smells to fresh fluid. Your nose is your best tool when it comes to identifing fluids.

.

[coleshooter]

We were smelling the fluid earlier, and didn't get much scent off of it at all. Of those two, which is worse, or are they both at the same level of hell?

[KGB7]

Engine oil even burnt has nice smell.

Get a can of each fluid. Rub it between your fingers then smell it. ATF smell is sharper. Think brake fluid.

Frsh ATF smells bad to begin with. Fresh oil is smoother and doesnt hit your nose sences as hard.

When i said smell the fluid. I meant get it way up to your nose senses.

Closing your eyes helps if your nose is not trained to identifying fluids.

Not trying to be funny.

[Edwin NL]

Take the cover off and see what color it has, good chance if it leaks from there the crankshaft seal is leaking, if it's minimal dont worry about it

[coleshooter]

Ooh, and that would mean dropping the trans to fix it if it has to be done?

[Edwin NL]

Yes but again if it's not leaking hard leave it! they can get old like this

[motion]

Take the cover off and see what color it has, good chance if it leaks from there the crankshaft seal is leaking, if it's minimal dont worry about it

+1 on what Edwin said. I'd monitor the leak and determine if it's oil or fluid. When you're ready or feel the need to fix the leaks/s replace the rear engine seal, rear water jacket cover gasket, reseal the transmission, replace the Giubo, centering sleeve, center bearing and repack the drive shaft CV. Just my .02

Let me add I'd proceed with draining, changing the filter and refilling the transmission only. Try to be there when he drains and pulls the pan and see for yourself why we like changing the fluid. Insure he use ESSO LT71141 compatible fluid.