[joebullits]

I have a 2001 PT since new. It now has 70,000 miles on it. Recently changed tranny fluid and noticed tranny fluid leak, very small. Make long story short, I noticed the tranny cover had a somewhat thick oil sludge on it. I bought a new cover and when I took the old one off, found something amazing.
The original cover had rusted through at the top. The cover is pressed steel and has a flange all the way around it. When the engine was installed or the body placed on chassis, the inside fender well pressed on the flange, peeling it back at the top (about 3" long). This caused road salt and other debri to get captured, causing the corrosion and rust through.
Best way to check fluid level...Drive vehicle for no less than for fifteen minutes, put in park with engine running. Dip stick marked, cold, warm and hot.