Nothing wrong with a sealant if you use the correct type,clean all surfaces of any oil or contaminants and let it cure before using it.
I prefer whatever seals better so I don't get leaks but whatever....
Nonsense. Most all car manufacturers switched to RTV years ago. It's superior for sealing compared to a physical gasket. I would use RTV to replace a gasket in most cases.
Sure, they rarely fail, they just start seeping after a few years which sometimes progresses to a slow leak. The few times I do use a gasket, I make sure to use an appropriate dressing to prevent that.And that's your call, But I absolutely despise RTV being used on Transmission Pans, Sure I'll do it on Chrysler Units that call for it....But never on something that calls for a gasket.
I build transmissions professionally....The failure rate of OE pan gaskets is minuscule.
I would recommend that you not get into an argument with @clinebarger over what works better on transmissions.Sure, they rarely fail, they just start seeping after a few years which sometimes progresses to a slow leak. The few times I do use a gasket, I make sure to use an appropriate dressing to prevent that.
I’m a transmission amateur and reuse GM pan gaskets without batting an eye …And that's your call, But I absolutely despise RTV being used on Transmission Pans, Sure I'll do it on Chrysler Units that call for it....But never on something that calls for a gasket.
I build transmissions professionally....The failure rate of OE pan gaskets is minuscule.
I'm just going by what many of the manufacturers have switched to over the last few years to reduce warranty claims from leaks. Sure, a physical gasket is easier and quicker to install than carefully cleaning the pan and transmission surfaces, then laying out a bead of RTV, but if it keeps the underside of the car dry, I'm all for it.
I think Mazda, Subaru and Stellantus are the only ones who use RTV on their transmission pans.I read that in one of the import trade magazines in an article on transmission service and "sealed for life" transmissions.
I am a one trick pony on GM pan gaskets. Myself and family have had GM vehicles since about the mid 1990s. I've done pan drops; added aftermarket pans with drain bolts, drained fluid (30K) & replaced filters ~ 60K on too many GM vehicles to remember for the last 25 or so years. I always stuff clean rags into the places where ATF drips from and leave the vehicle sit for an entire weekend- clean the surfaces with Acetone-and reuse the GM OEM gasket. No rtv or goo. Never had a leak or hint of a seep. Many of these vehicles went well over 200K or until broadsided by the little old lady from Pasadena. Never had any transmission issues. I appreciate Clinebarger and I would come see him for service if I lived anywhere near him.I’m a transmission amateur and reuse GM pan gaskets without batting an eye …
… no interest in using blue goo either …
how I change the GM G80’s … pan under … back out bolts until oil flows … go do something else … snug back up … refill with Delvac 1 … no blue goo … no leaksYes the trans will drip for hours and on some models and get on the sealing surface. Ideally you would wait until it stopped dripping completely, but as long as you don't apply the RTV OVER ATF, it should be OK. I haven't heard that the ATF dissolves RTV before it's cured, so I don't know if that is a problem. If you're in a production shop setting where a gasket is available, that may be a better choice for you. As for citing manufacturers using RTV to reduce warranty claims, I read that in one of the import trade magazines in an article on transmission service and "sealed for life" transmissions.
Toyota uses something similar, I think it’s called ThreeBond 1281, it’s a reddish-orange RTV. It was used to seal the trans pans on the Lexus-spec A340/A341. Now, it’s the primary gasketing for their hybrid units and T-cases.On SKYACTIV automatic transmissions Mazda uses a special sealant for the purpose from ThreeBond in Japan. The reman operation uses the same product.
Look into something like this in the future after you get that pan off, if you decide to go the same route. Regular RTV is a lousy choice in some applications where it might seem ideal. Ask me how I know...
Use a gasket when you reinstall the pan.This thing is glued on. The transmission didn't come with a gasket so rtv I what incised. I used blue rtv last time and I figured it would come off once I removed all the bolts. She's glued on good. I did use a rubber mallet and a screw driver to jam into the pan seam, but that didn't work out too well.
Would love to hear your thoughts if generally there are good gasket types you prefer using, and which to stay away from? Or is it largely dependent on the pan design?Transmission pans that are made for RTV have different flanges/rails than pans designed for use with a gasket.
...
Now....If you're using cheap-junk gaskets that come in aftermarket filter kits (folded up in a box with the filter) , They're almost guaranteed to leak or seep in the near future if not right away!
...
Hyundai too, but it was pink so probably not actual RTV, certainly not a gasket.I think Mazda, Subaru and Stellantus are the only ones who use RTV on their transmission pans.
Like Clinebarger said RTV is a cost cutting measure nothing more. Think about how the manufacturer applies the RTV, the unit is brand new and totally dry, the unit is upside down and a machine applies the RTV in a few seconds. It is easy and cheap, once the unit has fluid in it RTV is pretty much useless.I'm just going by what many of the manufacturers have switched to over the last few years to reduce warranty claims from leaks. Sure, a physical gasket is easier and quicker to install than carefully cleaning the pan and transmission surfaces, then laying out a bead of RTV, but if it keeps the underside of the car dry, I'm all for it.