Auto Trans leaking on exhaust

My 1988 240 has a mystery leak. I thought that it might have been moter oil
leaking from the filter gasket so no big deal, I just cleaned it off as I
was going to change the oil anyway. But then last night the tranny was
slipping a bit and I'm thinking O shit. So I checked the fluid and it was
low. The car has been meticulously maintained and runs subperb with just
under 200K on her. Anyway...looks as if it's a tranny fluid is leaking near
(drips on) the exhaust pipe just south of the manifold where goes from 2 to
1 pipe. All stock. Has anyone had a simular problem? I won't be able to get
down under there till after the holiday...just going to keep the fluid
topped off till I have the time. TIA for any advice. Michael

 

The usual cause of that problem is a crack in the cooling line where the
bracket bolts it to the chassis. I fixed one of those once by cutting out
the cracked part, flaring the ends, and splicing in a piece of high pressure
hose. You could also splice in a piece of copper tubing with compression
fittings if the size is standard.

 

Thanks for your advice. That does sound like the culprit. Cheers, M