transmission oil/fluid leak?

[ekim200]

Hi. This is my very first post. If you can kindly help me, I would be grateful.

I bought a 2003 996 TT several weeks ago and noticed that there are small amounts of leak coming underneath the car. It is almost black in color but does not appear to be engine oil (the smell is almost odorless). Here is the picture which I uploaded to this post.

With little knowledge I have, I believe this is automatic tramission oil or fluid which is leaking from the gasket area (I have Tiptronic). I took a look underneath the car and the areas nearby the gasket appear to be "wet". Therefore, it is also possible that the leak may be coming from the top of the transmission and not just from the gasket area.

My concern is that the leak may have been ongoing for awhile (and not a recent happening). I plan to take the car to a Porsche-trained mechanic to check it out, but the immediate question I have is whether there is any way for me to visually check whether there is adequate amount of ATF in the car. (My worry is that I may be driving with dangerously low level of transmission oil/fluid).

Assuming there is no way for me to visually check from the engine compartment, does a warning light in the dashboard go off if the transmission oil/fluid level go down to an acceptable level? Can you offer some insight?

[jpflip]

Take a look here: tip non repairable...But....

[ekim200]

Thanks for the post. I had the gasket replaced and it seems to have stopped the leak (for now).

[jpflip]

Good news. Thanks for the update.

Edited May 18, 2011 by jpflip