Ok. I was under my car playing "guess what the fluid is"; in this case, the fuild was all over the bottom of the back of my transmission. Not sure whether I've actually found the cause of that fluid's presence, however my vacuum hose (part #100842) has split in about half a dozen places. Amusingly enough (to my novice eye, at any rate), there are several plastic ties around the hose in question all along the split area. Which means that those ties are *always* there for reinforcement and the hose gave out anyway, or someone saw this coming and didn't implement a real fix. Grand. So, pair of questions: 1) What kind of hose *is* that? Anything special? Better just to order it from vendor of choice? 2) There is a fair amount of fluid in that area which has come in contact with various things, including the transmission and a large hose nearby. This fluid *seems* to be coming from the vacuum hose, but if this is impossible, lemme know. =). If it *is* brake fluid, how damaging is it (yes, I really *do* know this little. Bear with me, here. :) ). I assume (mostly because I RILLY hope) that if brake fluid has hit the transmission, there isn't much gasket damage potential. I am braced for the alternative, however. Should the large hose be considered suspect and replaced, or will cleaning it be sufficient? Hrm. 2.5) If it is brake fluid, i'll need to bleed the system, yes? Finally, I have recieved several private replies (in addition to the public ones) to my previous questions. I just want to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your assistance; I couldn't have done gotten as far as I have without your help. Noah #2867 "awaiting reassembly" Bottleneck Bob is riding fast Wanted by the law for the freight-train blast