Alfa 155 major oil leak

[Malim]

My 97 Alfa 155 1.8TS is spilling oil from underneath its engine. Although the oil is dripping from the sump drainhole the flow appears to come from above it. Due to the near total lack of visibility up into the car's engine I haven't a clue where the leak is coming from. More worryingly, this is a sudden development and the car has not been slowly leaking oil. It lost nearly 2 litres in 3 hours today. Does anyone have any idea what might be causing this? It seems to be leaking too heavily and too suddenly to be a failing/failed seal.

My only first thought is that the sump has been damaged but I can see no evidence of this.

I'd be grateful for any advice or tips anyone can give.

Thanks!

George (anticipating big bill just when you need it right after christmas!)

[deltafox]

Is it the selespeed version?

If so, they leak from the high pressure pipe that actuates the autoshift.
Its only the selespeed though.
Suggest an oil check for the type and then the levels throughout.

[Malim]

Thanks, but it's not a selespeed but your line of thought makes me think a pipe of some sort (maybe breather?) may be at fault. Can see how the amount of oil it's chucking out is coming from anything else because a cracked or broken sump would probably be more and a leaking seal less.

best

George