So I spent most of Saturday with my car up on jack-stands, all covers and the bottom skid plate removed, with my "Auto Repair for Dummies" close at hand. Perhaps I was tired of not knowing what goes on underneath the hood, or maybe it was some gentle ribbing from MyBlueTT, but I felt it was time for me to start understanding the the details of how my engine is laid out and how it operates. Also felt it was good prep for installing a boost gauge and oil temp gauge connections in a few weeks. I poked around for a while, noting the starting components, the coolant system, the engine block and the fuel injection, etc.

Anyhow, I came away with a pair of questions that I figured the good people here could answer:
1) on the bottom of the transaxle transmission, towards the front, and about 2-3 inches from where it is sealed to the crankcase there is an open hole, about a half inch in diameter (not threaded). Looking into this hole I could see a large gear with fine teeth. I'm curious what I was looking at, since I was surprised to find an open hole in the bottom of the transmission and a gear without any lubrication on it. Or is this the starter flywheel?
2) the oil filter. Looks like an absolute bitch to remove and replace. I searched the forums and read some postings on how, so I guess there is no need to answer this question. Unless someone has a tried-and-true method for easily doing this?

 

I dunno about the oil filter; I've never even seen it. It often makes me wonder why companies design the most common maintenance item in a way that makes it really difficult to remove.

 

and instead pay their mechanics to do it for you?

 

Perhaps, but even once they get good at it, it'll still take their techs more time.