MadeInJapan

I change my oil every 5000 miles with Mobil 1 and last time I changed the oil I noticed that the tranny pan was wet (lower half) and a bit of tranny fluid was on the lower part of the transmission but no where else. I checked the tranny fluid and it checked out fine. I've driven the car for about 2 weeks in this condition as I've had absolutely no time to deal with this problem and I check the fluid every night when I get home and the level seems to remain constant and in the right range. Seems I have a very slight leak. I checked at autozone for a gasket/filter?? kit and there is none. In fact the books they have said it couldn't be repaired. I know that's nonsense, but I don't want to take it into a dealer. Are there any suggestions with my problem? I had the tranny flushed at 50K and the car now has 66K on it. The tranny fluid is still red and does not have any burnt smell to it. Has any one else had the same thing happen to them? Is this common? Any advise is appreciated.

Roddimus Prime

this has to be an automatic so I would recommend either buying a new pan gasket or just get some RTV silicone and dropping the pan. Use a grinder of some kind to make sure the pan is flat around the sealing edge. Apply a good layer of the RTV to the entire edge of the pan and re-tighten the pan to the required specs....I just snug + 1/4 ..... add the amount of ATF you need should be about 2 quarts or so. and make sure to shift the car through the gears about 20 times letting it sit in each gear for about 10 seconds whileit's ideling re-check the level and add as needed. Then drive the car and re-check after it's had plenty of time to burp out the air.

MadeInJapan

Thanks!

Roddimus Prime

no prob bob

GNO

I'd would recommend getting a new pan gasket over the RTV. If you need to change the filter or something else under the pan, getting the RTV cleaned up afterwards is a PITA.

Maybe it's just me, but whenever I work on cars, dealing with the gaskets is usually the worse part. I even use the stuff that you spray on to soften it. So for me, putting stuff on that will make my worse part even more difficult just isn't going to happen.

Roddimus Prime

Yeah, I agree with GNO....cleaning the rtv later is more difficult but I use a bench grinder and a wire wheel and it comes off in seconds. Just didn't think about everyoen not having one of those.

GNO

I've had problems finding a new filter and gasket kit. AutoZone does not carry it. AdvancedAuto doesn't have it if I ask at the store, but it does show on their website. Today, I purchased one from CarQuest. Let your fingers do the walking and call a few of the shops in your area.

MadeInJapan

Thanks everyone....got the gasket/filter kit last week and had these replaced on/in my pan. Funny thing is that I could not find the kit at all in the city where I am, but in Sweetwater, the little town where I work, there was one. I had a local mechanic replace these things while I worked, so it was no time out of my schedule too. With parts, labor and new Tranny fluid (had been only 20K since it was changed....oh well), the bill was only for $70.00. I think I came out well on this deal!

And thanks GNO...I found the parts locally where I work through CarQuest....great suggestion....probably should send you a "finder's fee!."....LOL