This weekend I'd all the wheels off and wheel arch trim to give everything a good clean. While I was cleaning the rear passenger side ( UK Car ;-) ) I'd a good look around the engine. The photo shows what I found, now it could be totally normal but looked odd to me.
The circle on the bottom right, looks like it should have a cover over that hole ??? And what is that in the top circle???? Both cases look as if you can see into the gear box.
As you nice people that side of the pond run more tips, I thought you might have a better idea.
Oh.... also have you ever had your box lockup momentarily? I happened to me last week, it seemed to lockup between 2nd and 3rd. CEL blinked and then all was fine.... ??
Thanks, Andrew.