Trans pan keeps leaking in the front

V

ViiiKiller

Registered
Hey guys,

I did my trans service about a month or so ago and threw away the original pan gasket because the new filter came with a new rubber gasket. Of course I wanted to kick myself in the buttocks after I read on here that it was reusable. I had bent it in half and threw it in the trash can, so it was unsalvageable. This rubber gasket is a lot lower quality than the original factory gasket.

Any how, ever since I installed this new rubber gasket, it keeps dripping maybe a three inch or four inch diametre circle of fluid whenever I park the car for over 5 hours. I thought maybe I overtightened the pan so I bought a Mr Gasket pan gasket, which seemed like the same type rubber gasket and replaced it last Sunday. Well, it still leaks about the same amount, only in the front part of the pan where the two middle bolts go. This second gasket I snugged it all around and let it sit over night and it leaked. So I tightened it down another quarter turn and it still leaks. I'm wondering should I just forget these cheap rubber gaskets and get the nice, rigid rubber/polymer style factory gasket from Ford?
 
ViiiKiller said:
Hey guys,

I did my trans service about a month or so ago and threw away the original pan gasket because the new filter came with a new rubber gasket. Of course I wanted to kick myself in the buttocks after I read on here that it was reusable. I had bent it in half and threw it in the trash can, so it was unsalvageable. This rubber gasket is a lot lower quality than the original factory gasket.

Any how, ever since I installed this new rubber gasket, it keeps dripping maybe a three inch or four inch diametre circle of fluid whenever I park the car for over 5 hours. I thought maybe I overtightened the pan so I bought a Mr Gasket pan gasket, which seemed like the same type rubber gasket and replaced it last Sunday. Well, it still leaks about the same amount, only in the front part of the pan where the two middle bolts go. This second gasket I snugged it all around and let it sit over night and it leaked. So I tightened it down another quarter turn and it still leaks. I'm wondering should I just forget these cheap rubber gaskets and get the nice, rigid rubber/polymer style factory gasket from Ford?
Click to expand...

Gotta disagree with JP.

You can use high temp RTV liquid gasket. Since it's not a pressure seal, you can maybe even get away with applying it where the leak is without loosening the pan. Let dry for 24 hours and it should hold forever. $5 and very little work. Is it a 'hack' repair? Yes, but it works.
 
Are you sure it is the gasket and not the rubber "O" Ring at the dip stick tube that is leaking. It is common for these to harden up and start leaking after fresh fluid has been installed leading you to believe the front of the gasket is leaking. If it is then you need a 3 foot long set of extensions to remove the dip stick tube support bolt from the back of the head, then pull the tube out and replace the "O"ring. Extra set of hands can help guide the socket end for re-installing the bolt (use a dab of grease in the socket to bolt the bolt).
 
The new reusable gasket from Ford is not very expensive at all. I bought a new one when I got my updated pan just because....

I love those things every time I use one it never leaks.

Doug
 
Roadboss said:
Are you sure it is the gasket and not the rubber "O" Ring at the dip stick tube that is leaking. It is common for these to harden up and start leaking after fresh fluid has been installed leading you to believe the front of the gasket is leaking. If it is then you need a 3 foot long set of extensions to remove the dip stick tube support bolt from the back of the head, then pull the tube out and replace the "O"ring. Extra set of hands can help guide the socket end for re-installing the bolt (use a dab of grease in the socket to bolt the bolt).
Click to expand...

Roadboss, I'm a 100 % sure because when I had the car on a lift to get some exhaust work done, it was sitting there for hour while the muffler guy had to go back and forth to help other clients in the shop. I kept seeing a small puddle on the deck so I watched it and finally saw some fluid drip down into the puddle and it came from the front.

JP and Meister I will probably just get a new gasket sometime this week, but its Sunday so the dealer ship is closed. They wanted $30 for one at the Lincoln Dealer here, unfortunately there parts department is closed Saturdays. The Ford dealer didn't have any when I went yesterday.

Logres, I was going to try what you suggested and just like you said, its cheap and a lot easier so I hope it works.
 
Remember the dip stick tube is in the front of the trans close to the pan gasket. Use a can of brake clean to verify before you spend a bunch.
 
I also vote for the dipstick O ring.... or a bent tube. My dipstick tube was bent when I did the tranny swap and it really looked like a pan gasket leak.... What a bear to replace "in car".!
 
Every single aftermarket trans pan gasket I've seen leaked either 1hr or 1 day, or 1 year after the install. Replace it with OEM and torque to spec ...

RTV ? no, please, no ...

Same goes for the tube o-ring, DO NOT use RTV there, or it will leak guaranteed.
 
Mad1stGen said:
Every single aftermarket trans pan gasket I've seen leaked either 1hr or 1 day, or 1 year after the install. Replace it with OEM and torque to spec ...

RTV ? no, please, no ...

Same goes for the tube o-ring, DO NOT use RTV there, or it will leak guaranteed.
Click to expand...

Really?

I've used RTV is several places and none have leaked.
 
I tried the RTV method and tightened the bolts a tiny bit more but it's still hemorhagging so I went ahead and paid $25 for a factory gasket from the Lincoln dealer ship. It was cheaper at Lincoln than at the Ford dealer by $5. It came in early this morning.
 
10 bucks says its not the gasket's fault. Its probably the pan being overtightened and causing "valleys" in between the bolt holes. When I worked at the transmission shop I saw this all the time. I hammer all pans before re-installing them. I'm with Jeremi....PLEASE stay away from the RTV!!! Thats not the right way to fix it.

Take your pan off and use a ball peen hammer to hammer the pan on each bolt hole so its not wavy anymore. I'm sure you'll see what I'm talking about if you take it apart.
 
J said:
I'm with Jeremi....PLEASE stay away from the RTV!!! Thats not the right way to fix it.
Click to expand...

Why? If you do it right, it works.

I'm using RTV for my throttle body (bottom of it) and I'm getting zero leakage. Easier to install than a solid gasket too.
 
Just installed the factory gasket around 7pm tonight and went on a 30 minute test drive to get the fluid level up. I had to had 2.5 quarts to get it perfect in the "hot" on the dip stick. Its been parked in my drive way since 730 pm, I'll check in the morning to see if its still leaking.
 
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