Leaking A4
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,532
Likes: 24
From: Willow Springs Ca.
Leaking A4
Anyone else with an A4 have issues with the pan gasket leaking?
My car never leaked a drop until I have my first tranny service. The shop did fluid, filter, etc.
About a month later it starts making marks on my parking spot. I took it back and they retightened some pan screws and it quit doing it for about three months. Then did it again. Went back in and the gasket was pushing out. I told them to replace it with the best quality gasket available.
They did, and it was dry. That was about 6 weeks ago. It is now leaking again. I am sure it is going to be the bolts again this time.
Anyone have this? How was it resolved.
Thanks
Jay
My car never leaked a drop until I have my first tranny service. The shop did fluid, filter, etc.
About a month later it starts making marks on my parking spot. I took it back and they retightened some pan screws and it quit doing it for about three months. Then did it again. Went back in and the gasket was pushing out. I told them to replace it with the best quality gasket available.
They did, and it was dry. That was about 6 weeks ago. It is now leaking again. I am sure it is going to be the bolts again this time.
Anyone have this? How was it resolved.
Thanks
Jay
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,515
Likes: 14
From: Gig Harbor WA
The gasket has to have some "give" for expansion and contraction -- tightening the bolts eliminates this -- and as the pan goes through its hot and cold cycles, leaks occur. The fix is to remove the pan, clean off the old gasket and sealer, install a new and correct gasket using an approved sealer, and reinstall using the correct torque on the bolt -- with a torque wrench. I don't know the factory torque setting, but it's low -- something around 12-18 foot pounds.
Last edited by Jacks02; Jan 8, 2009 at 07:58 PM.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 279
Likes: 2
From: Cabot Arkansas
I think these tranny's have bolts with a concave washer on them and after a few torque cycles the bolts have to be changed. You can tell by looking at each bolt while they are out. if the washer is bent towards the pan it is reusable if is is flat or bent back towards the bolt head it will not hold the pan tight and should be replaced.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 24,310
Likes: 0
From: Canon City Co
St. Jude Donor '11,'13
"I voluntarily took 60 days off from OT"
I use only AC Delco tranny filter kits...These use a heavy paper gasket.....I havent had a problem yet....Just make certain ALL remnants of the old gasket is scraped from the tranny AND the pan....DONT use a cork gasket....and DONT use sealer.....Auto trannys have intricate passages that dont fare well with sealers......It sounds like they may have used a cork or rubber gasket since you said it's pushing out...
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 669
Likes: 0
From: CA
A common mistake is to not take the time to reflatten the pan metal around the bolt holes. set the lip of the pan on the edge of your bench and tap each hole down until you can lay a straight edge along each side. And, do not OVERTIGHTEN the bolts.
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Verdad Gallardo
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,100
Likes: 17
From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I installed this with my first transmission fluid and filter change. http://www.yourcovers.com/tp_8650-3.shtml
No leaks here!
No leaks here!
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,651
Likes: 9
From: HOW FAST WAS I GOING OFFICER? Los Angeles Hating GM Dealership Service Dept.'s Since Sept. 2004
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Yup! I agree with Mike and Jacks02.Sounds like over tightening.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,532
Likes: 24
From: Willow Springs Ca.
The shop I went to yesterday put the car on the rack and tightened a few bolts and the leaking again stopped.
He stated that the oem gasket is one that should not need replacement and mine had when the service was done.
He has ordered a new oem gasket and we will be changing it out on Monday.
Jay
He stated that the oem gasket is one that should not need replacement and mine had when the service was done.
He has ordered a new oem gasket and we will be changing it out on Monday.
Jay
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,100
Likes: 17
From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16