Transmission return line O-ring failure

[OliverB]

I've had the service #4 done about a month ago and there's been a weird smell coming from the boot. I put the car up on the quickjacks and noticed that the diffuser and the skid plate were coated in oil. As it turns out, the return line connector of the transmission, which is used to fill the transmission during maintenance, was leaking all over the frame and exhaust. Despite being tightened properly, the O-ring failed for some reason. The part is unavailable online and it appears to be manufactured by Lotus, so you could be waiting a while for a replacement. I cannot tell if the material is 100% compatible, but a Strike First C110345 O-ring can be easily found and costs $1. 200 km later and the transmission is now bone dry. It's gonna be a long cleanup job, but at least the car didn't go up in flames I guess.