About two weeks ago i was traveling east on I10, when my dandy, "transmission skid plate" apparently fell off, i partially noticed it when i heard a thunk about 50 miles from Houston. Once i got back i heard the dragging, and saw it was only held on by one "screw". I kinda liked having the "coverage" so i was gunna put it back on with actual bolts and wing nuts(which i did). while i was under there today, i noticed oil residue by the drain? screw, thought ok i just had an oil change. so i wiped it off.

Pictures before i wiped it:







I went for a quick 3 mile drive, and took another look and there was a bit of oil there again. Pictures after the wipe and short drive:











Since i'm not sure where this is coming from and the dealers are closed once i noticed the oil - I am a bit concerned. Especially since I am planning on a 1200 mile nonstop trip monday/tuesday and didn't have time to stop by the dealer. Any thoughts/comments? and if I should hold off this trip and go to the dealer asap? or is this somehow normal? I thought it was a lot of oil fr a very short trip.

I wiped the first oil, and it was black, after the short trip, it was that brown/clean oily color.(engine? perhaps). I tried to tighten the screw in the pics but it was plenty tight, i couldn't even move it. the oil looks as if its coming from the screw or gasket.

 

If it is a true leak, it is a small one. Probably just oil from the recent oil change. I'd have a couple extra quarts of oil with you on the trip and just keep checking the level with the dipstick when you can.