914 Transmission leak and screeching - HELP, please.

[toddmr]

I have a 1975 914 1.8 and am experiencing the following:

1. Transmission leaking fluid.

2. high-pitched screeching when the car is started.

The screeching doesn't seem to change with the engine speed. If I rev the engine to higher RPM, the screeching stays pretty much constant.

Looking under the car, it appears that tranny fluid wasn't just leaking, but spraying.

The last time I drove the car before getting the screeching sound, the clutch felt different. It's hard to explain, but it kind of had a "gritty" feel to it.

I'll get it into the shop as soon as I can, but would like some help/clues on diagnosis, so I can at least brace myself for what might be headed my way repair-wise. And I can start working on my wife so she won't freak out over the bill.

If additional information would be helpful, let me know and I'll post it. May be able to get some photos under the car as well if that would be helpful.

[Conrad W Peden]

The gritty feel could be the throw-out bearing going.

Where is it 'spraying' from?

I've broken a trans and sent the speedo drive out the ass end..that sparayed. Still had 2nd thru 5th though.

[toddmr]

Here are some pictures taken from under the passenger side.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Looks like it's mostly from the output flange. But it's on the right side, which intantly makes me suspect the breather! There's a fat-headed hex bolt sticking up above the case on the right side near the front by the bellhousing. There's a hole in that nut--that is the transmission breather. Make sure the hole is facing toward the right-front, about 45 degrees to the right of forward.

--DD

[toddmr]

If it is indeed the breather, would making sure the hole is facing the right way fix it? Obviously, I'd need to put more tranny fluid in there. But if that's it, will it fix that easily?

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

It couldn't hurt...

--DD

[Conrad W Peden]

Looks pretty dry on top. My guess is the flange seal or a buggered side cover.

The first thing I do when I see a leak is clean off all the crap so I can see where its really coming from.