I was just under my car trying to figure out some issues with the alternator, when I came across this!

It appears the plastic (pop in?) shield on the front of the tranny is missing. I don't know what this thing does, but I am pretty sure there was something there before. I am pretty sure it was my indie who took a look at my tranny a couple months ago. Who took it off and never put it back. He also left my tranny fluid dipstick out and I found it loose under the hood.

What kind of damage could have been done thus far, and should I stop driving it until I get a new cover?

Thanks

PS I know, I am leaking a lot of tranny fluid from the seal.

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The oval hole is an inspection hole for the torque converter. The plastic oval dust cover is about $3.00 the last time I bought one from the dealership.

The fuild leak appears to be transmission fluid and is from your front pump seal.

Just pick one up the next time you visit the dealer. A quick search of Mercedesshop didn't turn one up on-line.

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84 300DT Puke Yellow. Totalled after 438,000
84 300DT Orient Red. 169,000 (actual mileage may vary)
2002 Explorer EB (wife's)

So I take it that it isn't a big deal to drive a couple more days until I get around to getting the lid?

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just keeps crud out of there

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~shell
As of 2/2010:
2001 CLK55 0o\=*=/o0
13.6 @ 106mph
10K mi
1984 300SD
260K mi and going and going...
97 S600
46K miles
1991 Sentra SE-R (extremely dorked with)
www.se-r.net