91 164S leaking on cold starts

medioman · #1 (**permalink**) 12-20-2004, 01:26 PM

Thought I'd throw this issue out there (an easy one for most Alfisti I'm sure). Lately, we've had cold weather (for Columbia, SC at least). It's been in the 20's and 30s the last few mornings. I always let the car idle for several minutes to warm up. The last few mornings I've noticed a small amount of oil leaking from (maybe) slightly behind the oil pan. I get a slight burning oil smell. It only happens in the a.m. on a cold start. It won't do it the rest of the day.

I'm thinking it may (or must) be a gasket someplace. Someone said valve cover gasket, but I'd think I'd see more evidence topside.

That's #1; #2 is, is it anyone else's experience that the shifter is very notchy when cold? My 86 spider was too, but not to this degree. On that topic, I cannot find the freaking dipstick for the tranny fluid either.

Any random thoughts or advice are, as always, appreciated. ....

**Alfisto Steve** · #2 (**permalink**) 12-21-2004, 06:20 AM

Oil leak onto exhaust is probably rear main seal or cigarette seals for rear main cap. Live with it unless it becomes unbearable. Check pan bolts for tightness but don't over torque. Mine does leak on exhaust once in a while but always seems to go away for months at a time.

Dip stick for 5-speed located in top of differential case between where two axles meet case. Look directly back and under air flow meter and below slighly to cars left side of where shifter attaches to gearbox. If you have a long arm with out a Pop Eye forearm you can reach it.

medioman · #3 (**permalink**) 12-21-2004, 07:23 AM

Thanks Steve. Always glad to be advised to live with it, because it does not require me to do anything! I'm thinking maybe this is an oil pan gasket now, and I will check the tightness of the bolts soon. Since the problem seems minor and it's very dependent on cold weather, I'll just watch it for now.

Thanks also for the pic of the transmission fluid dipstick. I'll have another look. BTW, if it is low, where do I add fluid? (Hopefully, Santa will bring me the Cardisk this year). Thanks and Merry Christmas.

**papajam** · #4 (**permalink**) 12-21-2004, 10:15 AM

Add the fluid thru the dipstick hole with a looooong funnel.

BlackAlfa · #5 (**permalink**) 12-21-2004, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by medioman

#2 is, is it anyone else's experience that the shifter is very notchy when cold?

**Alfisto Steve** · #6 (**permalink**) 12-21-2004, 08:40 PM

There is a "fill plug" in front of bell housing at clutch release arm pivot point. I use it. It is either a hex head plug with gasket or pipe thread plug that takes a allen wrench to remove. I have seen both types. You still need a long A/T tranny type funnel or small tube but easier and faster than using dip stick hole.

medioman · #7 (**permalink**) 12-22-2004, 06:56 AM

Steve - what is that large square hole on the topside of the bell-housing for?

alfar0meo · #8 (**permalink**) 12-22-2004, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by medioman

#2 is, is it anyone else's experience that the shifter is very notchy when cold?

**Alfisto Steve** · #9 (**permalink**) 12-22-2004, 08:08 PM

Square hole over flywheel is alternate location for engine timing marks but mostly was a Euro Spec thing. I use timing mark/pointer on front pulley/front cover.

medioman · #10 (**permalink**) 01-14-2005, 07:58 PM

Finally was able to get to the tranny dipstick. If my arms were any bigger I would not have been able to get it out (my lack of exercise finally pays off). It does look low to me. I believe the current oil is synthetic but not sure.. is it OK to add a little Dexron III / Mercon if it has been changed to a synthetic previously?

Also, I do see what looks like a fill hole on the front of the bellhousing (front-side of the car). It looks like a screw in plug that you could remove with a decent sized Al. wrench.

PS what is the capacity for tran fluid? Thanks!

**Alfisto Steve** · #11 (**permalink**) 01-14-2005, 08:12 PM

Transaxle capacity is about 2 quarts. I am sure you can top off with Dextron but if you get a chance you probably should drain and refill with one type. I just filled mine through hole near clutch arm. I have allen plug and I believe size was 8 or 10 mm.

medioman · #12 (**permalink**) 01-14-2005, 08:49 PM

Thanks Steve. The operation shall begin immediately....

medioman · #13 (**permalink**) 01-17-2005, 11:55 AM

As it turned out I did not have the proper allen wrench, so I went through the dipstick hole with a very long funnel. Not easy, but it worked. To anyone looking for the dipstick in the future let me emphasize that it is much farther back toward the firewall then it would seem to be. Go to the firewall at about the middle of the windshield and look straight down. Thank you to Steve & everyone else that weighed in on this!