Replaced my tranny filter, now my pan is leaking...
 

Hello all,

I finally replaced my tranny filter and after I got the pan back on and tightened I'm getting a pretty significant leak out of the back right corner.

When I replaced it, I COMPLETELY cleaned the pan and the housing of all the original red RTV sealant. Following the directions on the RTV, I then applied a fair amount of BLACK RTV to the pan and finger tightened the pan to the tranny. I was sure to surround every bolt hole, and I put a fair amount in each of the little "valley's" between the holes (see picture for reference). After an hour, I torqued the bolts down to factory spec (something like 8 in/lbs or so, I don't remember now).

In hind sight I think I might have used too much RTV since after a week of letting it sit there was still uncured RTV on the valley section of the pan.

Now, I have two questions...

1) Should I avoid putting sealant in the valley area and simply apply it to the perimeter and let the valley's be the "overflow" catcher for excess RTV?

2) I am having a heck of a time getting the black RTV off. I have MOST of it off, but some of it just refuses to budge (See picture 2). I'm sure I could EVENTUALLY get it off, but if it's imperative that it be 100% removed, I'll probably just order a new pan.

Thanks in advance everyone...

Re: Replaced my tranny filter, now my pan is leaking...
 

you should use permatex brand "right stuff", it's way better than plain rtv. it's a pain in the ass when you need to get the pan off again but i haven't had a pan leak since i started using it, even a customer who was missing half the bolts and wouldn't buy new ones. it dries in 15 minutes instead of hours so by the time you get the pan cinched down you can fill it up. some people may not like it but that's my advice.

Re: Replaced my tranny filter, now my pan is leaking...
 

Make sure none of the bolts are stripped and that the lip of the pan is free of any bends around the bolt holes. Clean the old sealant off with a razor blade if you have to.

Good luck.

Re: Replaced my tranny filter, now my pan is leaking...
 

None of the bolts were stripped as I got proper torque on each of them. I do need to check into the bends though...

I've been using a razor blade, but I can't really get into the grooves with it. I can use it on the flat spots though. I'm hearing that Ethyl lactate might work in disolving the RTV...

Or I could just pay $70 for a new one and call it a day.

Re: Replaced my tranny filter, now my pan is leaking...
 

3m roloc pads work great at getting into those grooves.
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3...beCNJV48G6M2gl
can buy them at napa here.

Re: Replaced my tranny filter, now my pan is leaking...
 

Well, I went after it with a Scotch Brite pad and it seemed to work pretty well. I have all the RTV off of the mating surface, now I just need to get the last bits out of the grooves.

Now, for RTV 101 here... How large of a bead do I need to use, and where should it be applied? I know I'm supposed to surround the bolt holes, but do I need to surround the valley's as well? Do I fill the valley's with RTV?

Thanks.

Re: Replaced my tranny filter, now my pan is leaking...
 

The only reason for the valley is to strengthen the flange.

Re: Replaced my tranny filter, now my pan is leaking...
 

what kind of rtv are you using? some need to use more and some will never set up correctly if you use too much.

Re: Replaced my tranny filter, now my pan is leaking...
 

Interesting, that makes sense...

Re: Replaced my tranny filter, now my pan is leaking...
 

I used Permatex Ultra Black RTV as that was what I had left over from my oil pump housing... I did buy a large tube of Red Permatex in a caulk gun format so I can lay a consistent size bead this time...