OK, my Maxima-Driving brethren...

I've got a couple of questions. Let me first tell you that my transmission is leaking fluid, and that it appears to be coming from the area where the two halves of the transmission are bolted together with a gasket in the middle. I had my tranny rebuilt about a year and a half ago, and haven't had any problems with it until about a week ago when it began to leave puddles of a thick, relatively clear oil in the driveway. At first, I thought that the oil was engine oil because it was clear and I had just had the oil changed a week before it began to leak, but I took it back to where I had the engine oil changed and they pointed out to me that the transmission was leaking at the point of the gasket (along with the fact that I had lost about a quart of transmission fluid by the time they checked it). They filled it back up and sent me on my way, but told me to have the area checked before long, and to keep an eye on the fluid level.

1) I need some guidance in refilling my manual transmission. I did a search on the site but I couldn't find anything specific regarding the manual transmission on an 89 SE 5sp w/the mighty VG engine. I've also checked the drivetrain chapter in my Chilton's manual and could only make out the whereabouts of the filler plug. I'm aware of the filler plug under the car on the driver's side, and that you need a 1/2" ratchet in order to remove the plug, but I'm curious to discover if there's another place that I can add the transmission fluid without having to crawl under the car and running the risk of losing fluid unnecesarily.
2) Since the manual tranny doesn't have a dipstick like the automatic does, is there any other method of checking the level of transmission fluid other than sticking your finger in the filler plug hole and getting dirtied up (not that I mind, it would just be easier)?
3) Has anyone ever tried any of the transmission stop leak products that they sell in the auto parts stores and if anyone did, did it work?
4) I also noticed that there's a little L-shaped spout on the top of the transmission, and that it's visible from the engine bay. It doesn't have any hoses connected to it, only a metal cap that doesn't screw on or off. It's just below the intake hose that leads to the MAF adapter. The cap appears to be clamped on at the base of the metal spout, and it can be freely turned by hand, but not removed. Can I add transmission fluid through here, and if I can, how do I get the cap off without ruining it so I can replace it once I'm done?

Sorry for all the questions, but I'm trying to get this resolved as quickly and as cheaply as possible without having to go back to the transmission shop and having to hear him tell me that it's going to cost a couple hundred bucks to fix this problem. I purchased the Slick 50 gear oil and would like to refill the transmission with it, but I'm not sure if I should use it or get some other fluid. All suggestions and help will, as always, be greatly appreciated.

 

the only way i check my trannys oil is by taking out the speedometer cable from the tranny and checking the oil level there. You need like an 8 or 10 mm socket to unscrew the cable, lift it slowly and check. it sits closest to the firewall.

 

Anybody else??? I need help bad, guys...