Leaking fluid, ID help

[prpickett]

I'm getting the MH ready for the season and noticed what appears to be an oil stain underneath the rear end. Upon inspection, it appears that the source was from a threaded hole just forward of the oil pan. I have a 99 Dutchstar with Spartan chassis. I don't know if there should be a plug in this hole but it does seem to be threaded. It is centerline, just before the oil pan, on a large "rounded" area. Any help identifying this would be appreciated. I am a little concerned about driving it to CW without knowing exactly what it is and whether I should plug the hole and add (where?) whatever fluid is leaking. It really looks like old motor oil (black). Thanks,
Phil

[a k]

Take a picture and upload it if you can.

[prpickett]

the "square" item on the right is the oil pan. Photos were taken from driver side just rear of area. Thanks.

[KIX]

It looks like the rounded thing yo mentioned is the bellhousing. It's where the torque converter is. There would also be an engine main crankshaft seal behind the torque converter. My GUESS is the main seal is weeping some oil. IF and I say IF I am correct you can drive it to a service center providing your engine oil is indicating full on the dipstick.

[Norm4015]

That threaded hole should not have a plug in it. It is normal to be open, but there should be no leak.

[Happycarz]

Before you get to carried away with the hole or main seal, take a look by the starter, both behind it and above it. The oil gravitated to the lowest point, the bellhousing. From looking at the picture, I see the starter side of the engine is a lot wetter than the other side. If the leak were coming out of the bellhousing hole, more than likely the oil mess would be about the same on both sides, which it is not. Crawl around with a flashlight and mirror to see between the starter and engine block. Or use your camera to take pictures of the hidden areas. See if it is wet there, or maybe above there. If it is too cruddy, use a couple of cans of BrakeKleen, clean it up real nicely, and take it for a 10 mile ride. After it cools, take another look. You should be able to diagnose this one yourself.

[CharlieM]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happycarz Before you get to carried away with the hole or main seal, take a look by the starter, both behind it and above it. The oil gravitated to the lowest point, the bellhousing. From looking at the picture, I see the starter side of the engine is a lot wetter than the other side. If the leak were coming out of the bellhousing hole, more than likely the oil mess would be about the same on both sides, which it is not. Crawl around with a flashlight and mirror to see between the starter and engine block. Or use your camera to take pictures of the hidden areas. See if it is wet there, or maybe above there. If it is too cruddy, use a couple of cans of BrakeKleen, clean it up real nicely, and take it for a 10 mile ride. After it cools, take another look. You should be able to diagnose this one yourself.

I agree with the above. The "weep hole" seems to be dry on the interior. The leak is most likely above on the housing and seeping down to the low point where the weep hole is.