New transmission gasket is leaking
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
New transmission gasket is leaking
I replaced the transmission fluid and now pan is leaking. I'm not sure if I over torqued or under. The kit I bought had a floppy rubber gasket. The one that I took off was a nice rigid plastic dealer gasket with little rubber channels. Should I or can I reuse that one instead? On the new kit rubber one I put little dabs of RTV and spread it out just to hold the gasket in place but did NOT go all around the pan. Did that cause it? Didn't think this was that hard but I managed to mess it up. I think it's supposed to be 12 foot pounds torque- thought I could just feel that. Any guidance before I get all messy again. Thanks
#2
CF Veteran
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Hudson, FL
Posts: 3,683
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L Inline 6
You should never re-use a used gasket. Chances are you'll never get it snugged up just right since it already has impressions in it.
Best place to check is the dealer. Or, if you get another floppy rubber one, just torque it correctly in steps, in a star pattern.
Best place to check is the dealer. Or, if you get another floppy rubber one, just torque it correctly in steps, in a star pattern.
#3
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1993
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 5.2L
New transmission gasket is leaking
Could have been the rtv if it wasn't all the way around... The new rubber gasket should have worked fine by itself (given it may have been a booger to keep in place while installing pan).
But once you have 2 bolts on there and it seems to fit flush on the surface you'll be golden! Id also recommend going in a star pattern when torquing the bolts down so it sits just right on the transmission. GL!!
But once you have 2 bolts on there and it seems to fit flush on the surface you'll be golden! Id also recommend going in a star pattern when torquing the bolts down so it sits just right on the transmission. GL!!
#4
Old fart with a wrench
There's an old boy trick to keeping a floppy gasket in place when installing the bolts. Use sewing thread thru the bolt holes until you start all the bolts, then break the thread and pull it out. Works the nuts on an oil pan gasket. Your best bet is to get a reusable gasket from the dealer. It's a sandwich with a metal stiffener in it. Also, make sure the areas around the bolt holes are flat and not dimpled. They can be flattened with a block of hard wood or metal and a hammer.
The torque spec on the pan bolts is 144 IN/POUNDS. That works out to be just short of 12 ft/lbs.
The torque spec on the pan bolts is 144 IN/POUNDS. That works out to be just short of 12 ft/lbs.
Last edited by dave1123; 08-03-2015 at 10:22 AM.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Santa Cruz Ca.
Posts: 518
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
Year: 2000 WJ
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.7
To hold gaskets in place whilst I am working on them, I use Indian Head Gasket Cement. It's very tacky right out the bottle and almost impossible to get off skin or anything else it gets on. It's a good sealer also. I do like the thread idea though!
#6
Old fart with a wrench
Yeah, that stuff works well, but wait until you need to do it again. It's difficult to get the old gasket off! It seals cork gaskets best but you have to scrape 'til you're blue to get it clean. I used it on Chevy small block valve covers because the heads weren't machined on the gasket surface.
#7
Senior Member
It might be that the pan is not flat anymore.
If any of the screws were overtightened, then that could have distorted the gasket surface.
A granite block and feeler gauges is a great way to measure the pan gasket surface.
This is the new deep Derale transmission pan that I installed.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Derale-14210-Dodge-A518-A727-Transmission-Cooling-Pan-/381277561791?hash=item58c5e9e3bf for Derale deep pan and filter extender.
If any of the screws were overtightened, then that could have distorted the gasket surface.
A granite block and feeler gauges is a great way to measure the pan gasket surface.
This is the new deep Derale transmission pan that I installed.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Derale-14210-Dodge-A518-A727-Transmission-Cooling-Pan-/381277561791?hash=item58c5e9e3bf for Derale deep pan and filter extender.
Last edited by wingless; 08-04-2015 at 06:49 AM.
Trending Topics
#8
CF Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Oroville, CA
Posts: 12,367
Likes: 0
Received 19 Likes
on
18 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 with all of the noise and clatter
That rigid gasket that you didn't reuse is reusable. The gaskets that come with the kits are worthless. All of the Dodges in my fleet at work have the rigid gasket, we get about five services out of them before we need to replace them.
#9
Old fart with a wrench
JMHO, but I don't see the need for a high capacity deep pan unless you are doing a lot of heavy towing and need the increased volume for cooling. It just DECREASES your ground clearance and adds the need for a skid plate to protect it. You also loose the cooling effect with the skid plate. If you need to replace the pan, just buy a new OEM pan.
#10
Senior Member
This is the new deep Derale transmission pan that I installed.
eBay Speedway Motors
Derale deep pan and filter extender.
eBay Speedway Motors
Derale deep pan and filter extender.
JMHO, but I don't see the need for a high capacity deep pan unless you are doing a lot of heavy towing and need the increased volume for cooling. It just DECREASES your ground clearance and adds the need for a skid plate to protect it. You also loose the cooling effect with the skid plate. If you need to replace the pan, just buy a new OEM pan.
The front-to-rear turbulator cooling tubes are in the air flow path.
The stock pan should be used instead for off road usage.
This pan is great to keep the transmission cool and to extend the transmission service life.
This pan has a drain plug, so draining and swapping to an OEM pan is easy enough if off roading is planned.
#13
Senior Member
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 952
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
Year: 2004
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 2000 4.0
^^^^X2^^^^^ I always re-use the OEM original, DO NOT use RTV or sealant. Torque in proper sequence and you will not have any leaks! This applies to valve cover gaskets too.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
MidwestNick
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
10
02-28-2016 02:05 AM
Blackxj51
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
22
09-13-2015 06:06 PM
seanie11
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
11
09-11-2015 04:42 AM
15XJ
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
7
09-10-2015 11:17 PM
Blackxj51
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
13
09-09-2015 04:25 PM
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)