ARGGG! New transmission pan gasket leaking
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
ARGGG! New transmission pan gasket leaking
A "Can I" question here folks.
Before we went away on our cruise in mid December, I installed a new oil pan gasket on my Auto. transmission on my '79. I followed the procedure for tightening the bolts and thought I had it right. I didn't get a chance to add the transmission fluid until last weekend though. Well, I put about 1/3 of the jug in and it started coming out the front driver side area of the pan; no where else but there. I tried to torque the bolts in that area down a bit more but it would not stop running out. I know I cleaned the area completely on both the pan and the transmission area before putting the new gasket on so I'm not sure why it is leaking. It did not leak before I changed the gasket even though it looked like it had never been changed.
My question is, can I take it apart again, let the gasket dry a bit and use some of the blue gasket sealer on it? or.. do I have to order another new gasket, wait a week for it and try again without sealer? I have read both for and against using a sealer on them.
Thanks
Before we went away on our cruise in mid December, I installed a new oil pan gasket on my Auto. transmission on my '79. I followed the procedure for tightening the bolts and thought I had it right. I didn't get a chance to add the transmission fluid until last weekend though. Well, I put about 1/3 of the jug in and it started coming out the front driver side area of the pan; no where else but there. I tried to torque the bolts in that area down a bit more but it would not stop running out. I know I cleaned the area completely on both the pan and the transmission area before putting the new gasket on so I'm not sure why it is leaking. It did not leak before I changed the gasket even though it looked like it had never been changed.
My question is, can I take it apart again, let the gasket dry a bit and use some of the blue gasket sealer on it? or.. do I have to order another new gasket, wait a week for it and try again without sealer? I have read both for and against using a sealer on them.
Thanks
#3
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
No, I didn't do that as with it not leaking before and the pan being stored in a safe place.. I assumed going on as it came off would be fine and it would be true. Since I have to take it off again anyway, I'll check that out. Can I re-use the same gasket? Can I use a sealer?
#4
Melting Slicks
Year's ago mine too leaked after fresh gasket install.
Tried it dry again after inspecting the pan and making sure the holes were flat but still leaked.
Third time used new gasket plus Form-a-gasket #2 - no leaks.
Just my experience - others will certainly differ.
Tried it dry again after inspecting the pan and making sure the holes were flat but still leaked.
Third time used new gasket plus Form-a-gasket #2 - no leaks.
Just my experience - others will certainly differ.
#6
Safety Car
My first thought is the gasket slipped out of place when you put it together. Drop pan and check it ..
#7
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
The fluid was running down from between the bolt under the shifting lever toward the front driver side bolt and pooling at the front corner. I just came in from dropping the pan and the gasket was perfectly alligned. I'll put the pan on a flat serfice (Dining room table?) and check for trueness then check the bolt holes to see if bent at all. What ever happened to good ole cork gaskets? I may end up using a sealer anyway just to be sure. Can't hurt I suppose?
Thanks for the responses...
Thanks for the responses...
#9
Le Mans Master
I bet its not the pan.
After installing pan and before you fill it up. Spray a little Arid xtra dry around the pan and around the shift lever shaft. Once fluid starts to seep it'll be evident as to exactly where its coming from.
Once the Arid Xtra dry dries it leaves a white powdery film leaks become very noticable as they leave a wet trail.
More often the shift shaft seal is the culprit for the leak. If your eng & trans are set as the factory built these cars, the drips from the trans will almost always collect at the front of the pan
After installing pan and before you fill it up. Spray a little Arid xtra dry around the pan and around the shift lever shaft. Once fluid starts to seep it'll be evident as to exactly where its coming from.
Once the Arid Xtra dry dries it leaves a white powdery film leaks become very noticable as they leave a wet trail.
More often the shift shaft seal is the culprit for the leak. If your eng & trans are set as the factory built these cars, the drips from the trans will almost always collect at the front of the pan
#10
Safety Car
And Ya might as well as spray them pits while your at it kill 2 birds with one stone
#11
Le Mans Master
#12
Melting Slicks
The fluid was running down from between the bolt under the shifting lever toward the front driver side bolt and pooling at the front corner. I just came in from dropping the pan and the gasket was perfectly alligned. I'll put the pan on a flat serfice (Dining room table?) and check for trueness then check the bolt holes to see if bent at all. What ever happened to good ole cork gaskets? I may end up using a sealer anyway just to be sure. Can't hurt I suppose?
Thanks for the responses...
Thanks for the responses...
#13
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Mar 2008
Location: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
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Now, before you go calling me a dinosaur, or a Bubba, my Dad always swore by Indian Head Gasket Shellac, and made his gaskets from cereal boxes, so at least I'm not that bad!
Scott
Last edited by scottyp99; 01-18-2014 at 04:26 PM.
#14
Burning Brakes
I use only the thin, paper gaskets with little to no sealant. Get them from a tranny shop.
Never leaks. I don't use the rubber gaskets, cork gaskets, or a lot of sealant.
Just be sure the pan is flat and both surfaces are clean.....
Good luck.
Never leaks. I don't use the rubber gaskets, cork gaskets, or a lot of sealant.
Just be sure the pan is flat and both surfaces are clean.....
Good luck.
#15
The fluid was running down from between the bolt under the shifting lever toward the front driver side bolt and pooling at the front corner. I just came in from dropping the pan and the gasket was perfectly alligned. I'll put the pan on a flat serfice (Dining room table?) and check for trueness then check the bolt holes to see if bent at all. What ever happened to good ole cork gaskets? I may end up using a sealer anyway just to be sure. Can't hurt I suppose?
Thanks for the responses...
Thanks for the responses...
#16
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Mar 2008
Location: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
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There are few things here worth pointing out: The OP's transmission was not leaking. Then he removed the pan, and reinstalled it with a new gasket, and now it leaks. That is a pretty good indicator that the trouble is somehow gasket-related.
I just can't resist saying this: If it ain't broke, don't fix it!
Scott
I just can't resist saying this: If it ain't broke, don't fix it!
Scott
#17
Team Owner
Just a "heads-up".....Assuming that you didn't use a suction device to draw 2-3 quarts of fluid up the dipstick hole, and out of the tranny first, you had fluid spilling out of the tranny as you dropped the pan. This fluid, usually, also winds up going into the bolt holes of the tranny case. Unless you either blew out these holes with compressed air, or even a Q-tip, when you re-install the bolts, it squeezes the fluid out of the holes, both oiling up the surface of the tranny case (which you just thoroughly cleaned), as well as drenching the gasket. This wet gasket then won't seal.
(ask me how I know.....)
(ask me how I know.....)
#18
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Just a "heads-up".....Assuming that you didn't use a suction device to draw 2-3 quarts of fluid up the dipstick hole, and out of the tranny first, you had fluid spilling out of the tranny as you dropped the pan. This fluid, usually, also winds up going into the bolt holes of the tranny case. Unless you either blew out these holes with compressed air, or even a Q-tip, when you re-install the bolts, it squeezes the fluid out of the holes, both oiling up the surface of the tranny case (which you just thoroughly cleaned), as well as drenching the gasket. This wet gasket then won't seal.
(ask me how I know.....)
(ask me how I know.....)
That is very interesting, and a definite possibility. I did remove the Pan again yesterday morning, cleaned again. Checked for trueness (which appeared good) then re-installed with Permitex 2 gasket sealer. I added 3 litres in the afternoon and as of today. Not a leak in sight. .
I'm curious though, why did only 3 litres fill to the full mark on the dipstick? It seemed more then that went into and missed the catch pan then that.
Thanks again for all the responses.
#19
Team Owner
That is very interesting, and a definite possibility. I did remove the Pan again yesterday morning, cleaned again. Checked for trueness (which appeared good) then re-installed with Permitex 2 gasket sealer. I added 3 litres in the afternoon and as of today. Not a leak in sight. .
I'm curious though, why did only 3 litres fill to the full mark on the dipstick? It seemed more then that went into and missed the catch pan then that.
Thanks again for all the responses.
I'm curious though, why did only 3 litres fill to the full mark on the dipstick? It seemed more then that went into and missed the catch pan then that.
Thanks again for all the responses.
#20
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Mar 2008
Location: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
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33.8 ounces in a liter, 32 ounces in a quart, pretty close.
\Also, I have the sneaky suspicion that Permatex #2 is just High-Tack in a tube. Can anybody confirm or deny that?
Scott
\Also, I have the sneaky suspicion that Permatex #2 is just High-Tack in a tube. Can anybody confirm or deny that?
Scott
Last edited by scottyp99; 01-19-2014 at 05:25 PM.