96 Stratus Oil Leak-Engine or Transmission

My 96 Stratus(2.0, 5spd, 85K miles) sprung a leak yesterday. I come home
from work, leave around an hour later and notice a black puddle about a foot
in diameter under the engine, more on the transmission side. The oil was
thick and black. I just changed the motor oil in the past week and that is
still light in color. So I think I probably have a transmission leak due to
the color. I checked the other fluids(Brake and Power Steering) and they
were OK.

So I take it to my trusty mechanic(really I trust this guy) and he says he's
never seen one of these transmissions leak. He mentioned the rear engine
seal.

Any thoughts, experiences with such leaks would be appreciated.

If he's right and it is the rear engine seal, what's a reasonable cost to
replace?

 

If it is engine oil it could be running down from the top and making it look
like its the rear engine oil seal. The cam sensor o-ring or the head gasket
may be the problem, Has the head gasket been updated with the new
Multi-Layer Steel one yet?

I would ask the technician to do an oil dye test to be 100% sure its the
rear seal.

Glenn Beasley
Chrysler Tech

 

When the headgasket started to leak on my 1998 Stratus with the 2.4L,
that was where it began. It was the left-rear corner. The MLS gasket
was used as the replacment.

-Kirk Matheson

 

I already took care of the headgasket--under warranty thank you very much
Chrysler.