my starter has been acting up recently so i went under to take a look at it and I noticed two things, first, in the basin/pan, directly behind the starter there is a hole in the center that seems to be leaking a pale green fluid, this confuses me because it looks like the hole was purposely made.
also, i noticed the same fluid was dripping on the starter, probably from a leak in the engine or something above it.
Possibly related, is the fact that recently my engine has been acting very strange, its been missing and when i try to accelerate it cuts out for a moment as if its not getting enough fuel. This makes driving it difficult and is a big problem.

i recently got an estimate that it will cost around $400 dollars to take the transmission out in order to find the problem. This seems a little excessive to me.

Any insights or advice that anyone can give me on any of this would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

 

You need to identify the location of the leak. Is there a reason to suspect it's from the back of the engine so the transmission has to be removed? A leaking intake manifold gasket or heater hose will drip coolant to both places you mentioned seeing it - I'd look there first.

 

Go to autozone and rent a coolant pressure tester. Pump up your system, you will find it quick.

 

Either one of the freeze plugs in the back of the engine is rusted thru or the intake gasket is leaking coolant in the back. (see pic)
You should do a leak test to tell which it is. Remove the torque converter cover (pan) and pump up the cooling system with a pressure tester (engine off).
Freeze plugs will drip off of the back of the oil pan. Intake will drip off of the starter.
Either one could cost $400 to have someone fix.
Or you could put in a couple of Barrs pellets...

 

Thanks. I needed that pic.