[chetb]

Hi all. I'm new to diy car maintenance. I have a 2015 Smart 451. I changed my oil and air filter this week, and noticed that a small section next to the airbox was very greasy. It's circled in red in the picture. Can someone please tell me if there's a more specific name for that section/part so I can google for more information?

 

[vadsoom]

That’s the transmission breather valve. As the engine and transmission heat and cool, the fluid expands and contracts, displacing the air inside the enclosed space. The breather let’s the air out. Since some of the fluid becomes inside the transmission becomes airborne with tru churning mechanism, it’s normal for a little bit to escape along with the air. The little bit of fluid you see outside the valve is so he result and totally normal.

 

[gtdump]

To add a little more, the vent is on the shift motors and having a bit of crud is perfectly normal. That vent leads right through the shift motors and directly into the transmission.