Can someone tell me what this is?

[hokiepoq]

I'm new to this forum and have a 1998 Explorer AWD XLT. Was under the truck and found a hole in the bottom with a gear that moves when the engine is on. Looks like it should have a cover or something, but not even sure what it is. Probably need to get it covered at least. Also seems to smell coolant somewhere around there and not sure where it's coming from. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

John

 

[donalds]

Torque converter drain plug access hole

 

[Mbrooks420]

It has a cover. There’s a rubber plug that goes in there. That’s your flexplate. If a rock were to hop up in there it’d be bad news. Even dust and road grit will start to eat away your flexplate. (That’s what the starter engages to spin the motor)

 

[hokiepoq]

It has a cover. There’s a rubber plug that goes in there. That’s your flexplate. If a rock were to hop up in there it’d be bad news. Even dust and road grit will start to eat away your flexplate. (That’s what the starter engages to spin the motor)

Thanks for the info! ANY idea where to find one to buy? I've searched auto parts places and I'm probably not looking for the right thing or looking at the right site. Any help would be appreciated

 

[1998Exp]

I'm new to this forum and have a 1998 Explorer AWD XLT. Was under the truck and found a hole in the bottom with a gear that moves when the engine is on. Looks like it should have a cover or something, but not even sure what it is. Probably need to get it covered at least. Also seems to smell coolant somewhere around there and not sure where it's coming from. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

The question about identifying the torque converter drain hole has already been answered. Wish I knew where you could find that rubber plug. When everything else fails try a junkyard, they say...
As for the coolant smell around the TC drain hole: because of the angle the engine is mounted, just about any coolant leak ends in that area. It could be water pump, thermostat, front cover, heater hoses, perhaps a freeze plug, and more. If I had to take a completely wild guess, it would be the timing cover, because these engines are prone to this one when they reach 100K or so, and it's very hard to see at the source. My advice is to rent a pressure tester, hook it to the radiator and look around very carefully. If the engine is badly covered with mud or oil, clean it first.

 

[donalds]

Thanks for the info! ANY idea where to find one to buy? I've searched auto parts places and I'm probably not looking for the right thing or looking at the right site. Any help would be appreciated

Junk yard

 

[410Fortune]

Transmission rebuilder or junk yard, I cannot find this part online

 

[MAS Tequila]

Try ebay, probably a few over there.

 

[toypaseo]

E9TZ-7N171-A might be the part number...?

 

[Turdle]

E9TZ-7N171-A might be the part number...?

Good job! That looks like it by golly.

 

[RandomNerd2000]

You need that plug, I have a trans on the ground right now with a busted bell housing that didn't have that plug, never knew what busted the trans either. Could've been something got up in there. You need that though, if something hops in and jams you'll bust all kinda expensive hard to replace parts, and rest assured you don't want to do a trans DIY, especially without a proper jack, the jack is worth the $. End of mini-rant.

 

[whitebread]

E4OD Transmission Bell Housing Torque Converter Inspection Plug E9TZ-7N171-A | eBay