What gasket sealer does everyone use on trans pan?

[KBFXDLI]

What do you use on the trans pan and /or diff cover? I am going to do all this myself once and see how it goes. I will extract most of the trans oil out the dipstick, then remove pan and clean magnet & replace filter and gasket. But what gasket sealer/cement do you guys use and recommend?

 

[JustinH]

In most cases i've seen, a reusable gasket is used, or you can buy a gasket at the hardware store, and not run a bead of RTV.

On my ford 4r70w's, it comes from the factory with a gasket that the manufacturer advises to reuse it over and over again.

 

[WalterMitty]

You might check with your auto parts house to see what comes in the kit with the filter. Many kits have a new gasket included.

The service manual for the wife's PT calls for no gasket and RTV only. This is how the Chrysler dealer did it when they serviced it...and how I came to re-do the job to fix the leaks.

RTV can work very well when applied to very clean surfaces and properly assembled and torqued. If, however, you miss the first placement, or have fluids still running across the mating surfaces (as you will if you take under two days to service your transmission) it can be tough to get right.

I used the gasket that came in the kit, the correct torque (too much and too little causes leaks) and everything buttoned up real neat.

I reserve the RTV for other applications.

IF, you insist on using RTV, go get four (4) bolts that are the same thread size as your pan mounting bolts but about 4" - 6" in length. When everything is clean and dry (well, as clean and dry as you're going to get it) hang the pan in position under the transmission case using the four very long bolts. With the pan hanging from the bolts, apply the RTV around the edge and bolt holes. Then, using the four long bolts as a guide (and 3-4 regular bolts nearby) push the pan up to the transmission in one smooth stroke and start screwing in the pan bolts by hand. When all but the last four are in and holding the pan, take out the long bolts and replace them with the correct length bolts. This will help ensure that the casual pan installer gets a good even bead of RTV in all the right places.

 

[Wrehch]

Many modern transmissions have reusable silicone formed gaskets that do not require any sealer. Ones that have cork or fiber type gaskets I just use Hi-Tack on the pan side in a couple of spots to hold the gasket in place. Use nothing on the trans side of the gasket.

 

[gtx510]

I like to use hylomar on cork gaskets.

 

[KBFXDLI]

Any idea what GM uses on 2006 4L65 series?

 

[Sparkman]

I use permatex ultra-black on nearly everything I need to seal.

 

[cousincletus]

Assuming the pan needs a new gasket, I use grease to hold the new gasket in place. I most recently bdid a 2003 Dodge Durango transmission and Chrysler used RTV from the factory. The kit came with a rubber gasket and I used that instead of the permatex. Warning: sometimes a pan that's been permatexed from the factory shouldn't use a rubber gasket (permatex only) but mine hasn't leaked yet in 15K miles.

 

[Jet]

Guys I got a question for you. I have changed the wife's tranny fluid multiple times in her Dodge Caravan which had RTV from the factory. I use the rubber gasket that comes with the kit and be sure to just torque enough to slightly squeeze out the rubber gasket.

It seems to seep more each time I do the service, it seems to get wrse each time. I have taken to putting some RTV on the bolt threads since it seeped around them. I don't see any warpage of the pan. I have slightly tightened the bolts to no avail.

Her service is about due again and I am thinking of resorting back to the factory RTV although it is a PITA to scrape all that off every time. I am meticulus about these types of things and would appreciate your help.

Any ideas ? Thx

 

[paulo57509]

I usually don't use any sealer on a trans pan gasket. I have used bearing grease (the old school light brown wheel bearing grease) to hold wrinkled gaskets in place. I have also seen people use 3M Weatherstrip Adhesive (yellow gorilla snot) on the pan side of the gasket to hold it in place (not recommended by me).

I was told never to use Permatex #1 or #2 on a trans pan gasket. I think this stuff must do nasty things to friction materials once it gets into the ATF.

 

[doitmyself]

The above threads covered most of the bases - I too, was taught to generally not used gasket dressings on tranny pans except maybe to hold it in place as described above.

Jet, welcome, and to address your question - a search at the minivan forum at allpar.com will turn up many threads on problematic Caravan transmission pan seepage. Success/failure was experienced with all methods, except maybe the reusable gasket (generally positive).

There are four options: RTV, cork gaskets, rubber/synthetic gaskets, and MOPAR'S metal/silicone reusable gasket. A quick summary of my findings:

1. RTV: Because the tranny drips forever and contaminates the surfaces, RTV use must be done VERY methodically to get success. Some experienced seepage even when done at a dealer (as mentioned above).

2. Some seemed to have trouble with particular brands of RUBBER gasket. Some said NAPA had so many complaints that NAPA switced theirs to a cork style (not verified). Felpro and Puralator was mentioned as a quality gasket.

3. Several people said they had best luck with CORK gaskets. One mentioned use of hylomar as in an above post.

4. Numerous people loved the 3X REUSEABLE gasket available from your Chrysler dealer. Very easy to install/reinstall and leak proof. But, it costs around $30 bucks. All seemed to think the convenience and performance was worth it.

So, gasket brand seems to be a factor as well as installation skill. Some people were torquing the gaskets to the same level as recomMended for RTV and distorting the gaskets. Many believe that the OEM filter fits better than aftermarket, but that might just be OEM OCD group think mentality.

Good luck!

 

[alreadygone]

Jet,

As a suggestion, hold pan with lip exterior across a gap (IE bench vise jaws opened approx 1 inch) and LIGHTLY tap bolt holes with a small ballpeen hammer to indent outward.

If filter comes with new gasket, leave it dry! Use no sealer,RTV,gorilla snot, grease, NOTHING.

Bob

 

[paulo57509]

FWIW, ATP brand filter kits come with a pan gasket with a few of the bolt holes slightly under sized. The gasket can then be held in place by a few of the pan bolts during installation. No need for a holding agent.

 

[Jet]

Good stuff guys and thx. Spoke with my dealer and as usual
he couldn't come with the number on the MOPAR reusable gasket. He said even the new 06 still used RTV. I will try another dealer tomorrow.


I have checked the pan for flatness around the holes but dimpling would allow for a possibly tighter seal. As mentioned I have never overtorqued...watching for rubber gasket just start to squeeze out is when to stop. For 2-3 four times I had no leakage EVER, only the last couple of times has the leakage became a aggravation....nothing serious.

This is some good stuff and much appreciated. You didn't happen to catch a part number for the pan gasket ?

I will take a look over there.

 

[KBFXDLI]

What do you use on the rear differential case cover?

 

[Jet]

I always use a gasket but you'll find a lot who use the rtv too.