Tranny pan gasket

[Doug]

Bought a transmission filter/gasket kit for my wife's Windstar. It comes with that cork type gasket. Should I:
a) use the cork gasket all by itself...

b) use it with rtv silicon goop stuff...

c) just the rtv silicon...

d) go get a different gasket?

I used just the rtv goop stuff for my Dodge Ram when I put on my PML pan. It worked great. But, I'm not too familiar with the cork gasket's and how to properly use them. Don't they have a bad rap?

 

[motorguy222]

The RTV can sometimes break off into little pieces.

The pieces can sometimes find there way into the transmission depending on the type and condition of the filter.

When this happens,not good.

They can stop up the very tiny passsages in the transmission.

 

[TheJMan19]

I don't know if the Windstar is the same, but my Mountaineer came with a reusable gasket on the transmission pan. It looked like a thick rubber gasket and was much easier to install and remove than the cork gaskets I have used on other vehicles.

 

[Kestas]

TheJMan is correct. See if you can get the reusable gasket. It may be available only from the dealer, or you may already have one on your car. I was happy to see one on my 01 Sable. I'd rather use the beefy reuable gasket than the flimsy cork design.

 

[Doug]

Jman is correct, I just changed it, right on the bottom of the pan is engraved "reusable gasket" So, that's what I did. It ain't leaking yet!

 

[integrare]

If you ever use a cork gasket, use the copper spray first. It'll keep for longer

 

[MN Driver]

The 'reusable' gasket on my car sure wasn't reusable. I wondered whether or not I was supposed to put some form of gasket sealant on it when I noticed that a drop or two of fluid was on the ground every night.

 

[chas3]

i have used both rubber and cork gaskets. on the same transmission.

dont use rtv. you dont need it.

be sure to remove all of the old gasket. sometimes you need to resort to a razor blade if the gasket has been on that transmission for a while.

the gaskets are folded up in the box (napa used to have the gaskets on cards so they came flat) and dont lay flat initially. put your vehicle manual on top of the gasket before you start. even so, the bolt holes in the gasket are usually slightly smaller so thread a couple of the bolts in the pan to hold the gasket in place while you get it into place on the transmission.

tighten to spec in the right order (check a manual for this).

never had any leaks doing it this way.

 

[Ironduke4]

Just use the cork gasket that came with your filter kit they work just fine.
Put it on dry and never put any rtv or sealant on it as you will be sorry the next time you change the trans fluid.

 

[Dart-Swinger]

The Right Stuff sealer holds up to transmission fluid and works well.Any trans I have used it on is leakproof.