Sideshifter question - Is this bad or normal?, (I have a feeling bad) Calling Dr. Evil... Options

[bigkensteele]

Pulling the motor to sell, and I am keeping the tranny, which I have always thought shifted nicely and was the box that I would keep for my 2.0 and eventually, whatever six I put in.

Anyway, I loosen the clamp and pry away the plastic cover where the rod connects the the linkage on the left rear side of the box, and out drops about a quart of gear oil. No wonder the thing shifted so well!

I have only had 2 914s, and I have only removed engines a couple of times, but I have never seen this plastic cover full of oil, nor have I read that it should be. What was interesting is that the cover had sealant between it and the transmission, and the securing clamp/strap looked factory (aka something I have never seen before - metal strap tightened with what looks like a cotter pin). Records for this car indicate that it was always dealer maintained and fairly frequently, although it leaks fluid from every possible oriface, and this explains the spot toward the rear of the car.

So my question - should there be gear oil there, or do I have a bad seal on the shift linkage? Or worse, a wollowed out case?