Guys- what is the best way to reseal the transmission pan after a fluid change? I used Permatex Ultra Grey after completely cleaning both surfaces of old gasket material
and oil/grease....still leaks a tiny bit of fluid- enough to create a small puddle on my driveway???

 

That's absolutely the best way. The trick is to let the permatex sit on the pan for 15-20 mins before putting it on, and then only finger tight bolts. Let is dry a couple hours then snug them up. I've done 3 pans this way and never a leak.

 

That is basically what I did- coated the pan- let it sit a bit- then installed finger tight- then torqued after one hour.......still leaking??

 

Sometimes when the pan has been over-tightened onto a gasket in the past, the sealing flange on the pan needs to be dinged with a ball-peen hammer, so that the flange at the bolt holes can be be brought back flat.

If the pan is not true at the bolt holes, it will not pull flat onto the tranny surface. This equals leaks.

Engine oil pans often need the same treatment in order to seal.

 

I will look at that- thanks!

 

Mine's a 2000, 3.4 automatic
I never pulled the pan until the drain plug hole stripped and I pulled the pan to weld in an M10 nut and used a bolt with a copper gasket for a new plug.
From the factory, there was no gasket, only sealant. However gaskets are available at the local auto parts place so I bought one.
I used a small amount of orange permatex to hold the gasket to the pan, installed it and snugged it evenly to about 50 in-lb. No leaks from the pan gasket or from the new plug.

Be sure to do some checking and get your own opinion about the torque for the pan bolts. At 50 in-lb, the rubber gasket compressed quite a bit and squeezed out a little. I think I would go lighter next time.

The factory drain plug seems to be some odd interference thread. The plugs should not really be re-used. Even so after several changes, The threaded hole in the pan (soft steel) eventually strips.

 

sounds good- I am going with a new transmission pan from Toyota ($144) and a FelPro rubber type gasket- FelPro's instructions state not to use anything on their gasket-it must be installed dry- I will install this weekend- thanks!!