can someone tell me what this part is that has a leak. It is directly behind oil pan and it has some grate on it with holes

Here is a link to the picture I took, can not get it to show on here.
http://tinypic.com/r/13ynsw7/9

 

your pic link doesn't work. Try using the Go Advanced button when editing and attaching the image file directly. It would also be helpful to include the model and year of your car.

 

I can not find go advanced when I post. so here is the URL ::: http://tinypic.com/r/13ynsw7/9

Sorry for not including model. It is a 1991 Volvo 940 Turbo

 

It is the transmission. The screen is to let oil out when you have a leak either from the transmission seal or the rear engine seal. I suspect you have a plugged PCV system and blew out the rear engine seal. If so you need to pull the transmission to get to the seal.

 

the tinypic link still doesn't work, but what jagtoes says, from your description, if significant oil is leaking out the grills on the bell housing, thats most likely the engine rear main crankshaft seal.

here's my old 740T...


that oil mess was from the turbo oil return pipe, the seal where it goes into the block was bad (or missing) and the oil that leaked out was blowing all over. it was just a slight drip, maybe one drop each time I parked it.

 

Thank guys.
I would say it's a medium leak. In 3 weeks time, I went from having 4.5 gallons of oil down to 1 gallon.
I didn't know what this part was called. But it now sounds like an expensive fix...

 

4.5 gallons of oil??? ummmm, your engine holds maybe 4.5 quarts, including the filter, and going much below -1 quart (eg, 3.5 quarts) you risk losing oil pressure and killing the whole engine permanently.

 

If you went from 4.5 qts to 1 qt then you have a major leak.