94 2.5L stick shift, dumb question

This might be a very dumb question, but...

Today, when I was checking the oil in my 94 Caravan 2.5 stick shift,
I noticed an open slot, about 2-3 inches x 1/2 inch, in the top
of the transmission/clutch area. You can see through the slot,
into the clutch area-- big gear, etc.---and I never noticed that before.

Is this normal?
Or did it used to have some kind of cover or seal on that slot?
There's a bit of a puddle of something on top of another component,
lower than the slot and closer to the firewall, and I'm wondering
if that might be transmission fluid spewing from the slot???

 

That's where you point your timing light when you're setting the ignition
timing.

Yes, a push-in polyfoam plug. They usually go missing. Not so critical on
automatic cars, but you'll probably want to cover the gap on your
stick-shift, so as to avoid accidentally contaminating the clutch in the
event of a spill or splash.

Transmission oil does not "spew" from a manual transmission, for it is not
pressurized.

 

My 1990 Spirit has this same "plug" that he is referring two. Everytime
I have the car worked on, I always check to ensure that this "plug" is
put back. I have lost two of them. I know that the plug is not needed,
but I expect the shops to put everything back the way that it was,
just as I would do.

-Kirk Matheson

 

Thanks much for the info. I'll get a replacement at my convenience.
The "puddle" is more likely oil from the valve cover or elsewhere, I
suppose. It has 160K on it, but it doesn't lose/burn a lot of oil.

 

If the receipt that I have is correct, the part number is: 4431448. I
have the 2.5 w/ automatic, so you will probably want to ensure it is
the same one for the manual trans.

-Kirk Matheson