This is going to sound stupid, but I'll do my best to describe the problem. While hunting down an oil leak on my 2000 Catera, I was underneath and discovered some sort of dust cap on what I think is the transmission. On the transmission-looking thing, there is a round rubber plug that is easily removed by hand; this isn't the one I'm asking about, though. On that same transmission-looking part, on the side facing the front of the car right by the oil filter, there is/was a rounded-rectangular plug/cap that literally disinigrated on contact. What is this, and how important is it to plug this hole up? It obviously hasn't been sealed on this car for quite a while. Thanks in advanced for any thoughts.

Joe

When I got mine two years ago, i think the same dust cap got disintegrated while I was checking the underneat the car. It's been open eversince.

On the service manual it's named as an access hole in order to remove the transmission.

Your car will live without it. You can order one at a dealer for a few $. The two holes are used to access the flywheel-to-converter bolts and turn the converter by hand when removing and installing the tranny.

Top notch guys - thanks for the peace of mind.

Joe

:)