transmission pan leaking still after new pan and gasket
 

my 91 camaro was sitting for 4 years and of course the transmission pan was leaking after i filled it up (assuming the gasket dried out and shrunk). well i got a new pan from summit http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-g3886b/overview/. and a new filter and gasket set from autozone http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par..._722779_0_8069.

took everything off and installed the new filter. lined the gasket up around the pan and put the bolts through the pan and gasket a little bit to hold the gasket in place. installed the bolts a couple turns each into the transmission. then followed the directions in my haynes manual. they said to tighten bolts diagonally across from each other going around the pan. did that and the pan is still leaking from what looks like around the edges. even went over the bolts again to make sure they were still tight and it still leaks. it seems to only leak with the car off. i am out of ideas.

Re: transmission pan leaking still after new pan and gasket
 

When the car is off all the fluid runs back into the pan higher than the pan rail. the gasket is the 1st thing to blame but I have found that it is usually the shift shaft seal or dipstick tube seal. Gravity brings it down and it runs around the pan rail. I would suggest taking some brake cleaner and clean everything off. let it sit for a bit and get in there with a mirror and light to check shift shaft seal and such. Spray with brake clean and chase with compressed air to dry off. if in fact it is still the pan leaking then do away with the junk Autozone gasket and get a cork one. those black gaskets are crap and everyone of them hit the trash can here at our shop. Also, not saying you did but never use Silicone on a gasket. it will always leak.

Good luck.

Re: transmission pan leaking still after new pan and gasket
 

That's a good call on the other little seals. The leak is only on the passenger side. I know the dipstick tube seal and TV cable tube seal is on that side. And I didn't use any sealant on the gasket. Just used the bolts to hold it like I mentioned.

Re: transmission pan leaking still after new pan and gasket
 

Dipstick tube, TV cable, Lines and Servo. I would bet TV cable or dipstick.

Re: transmission pan leaking still after new pan and gasket
 

From searching around I didn't see anything on the lines or servo.

Re: transmission pan leaking still after new pan and gasket
 

come to think about it i did have the tv cable disconnected from the transmission when i first started working on it a while ago because the cable wasnt connected anymore. i reused the seal that was in there. i might just order a new one and also maybe a dipstick seal and change them both out. only 3.93 shipped for both of them from rock auto.

Re: transmission pan leaking still after new pan and gasket
 

if you clean it off real good first, you can throw baby powder on the suspected leak spots. it will turn pink where its leaking making it easier to see.

Re: transmission pan leaking still after new pan and gasket
 

Ive had trouble with those gaskets myself. One on my camaro, and the other on my friends jeep. That rubber is really flimsy, and if you don't get the torque perfect, the gasket squeezes out the sides and leaks. We went through two on my friends jeep before we just went with gray rtv. When i had my 700-r4 i had the same issue, just a seep but still leaking. I went with a regular cardboard/paper gasket i got from a local tranny shop. Never had a problem with those.

Re: transmission pan leaking still after new pan and gasket
 

I like the black paper fiber like gasket, not a fan of the cork or rubber.
You could also use a nice factory neoprene/metal gasket from the newer 4l65e s.

Re: transmission pan leaking still after new pan and gasket
 

What about just using some black rtv around where it seals? Would that work?

Re: transmission pan leaking still after new pan and gasket
 

RTV would be fine, the ultra grey high torque is great. Never had any leaks with it. Obviously you would have to drop the pan again though to do it right. You should be able to get away with the black stuff though. Just follow the instructions on how long to let it sit before torquing it down.

Re: transmission pan leaking still after new pan and gasket
 

Silicone is a no-no on the trans pan.

Re: transmission pan leaking still after new pan and gasket
 

Sorry I was talking about using the rtv to seal where the TV cable goes into the transmission.

Re: transmission pan leaking still after new pan and gasket
 

disregard my last question. i just ordered new seals for the tv cable and the dipstick tube. hope that fixes it.

Re: transmission pan leaking still after new pan and gasket
 

The gasket that comes with the autozone filter isn't the best. Since you need to pull the pan to change the shift selector shaft seal. Get a Fel Pro trans pan gasket. They sell them at autozone. Use the same cross torque pattern you used before and make sure you torque the bolts to factory spec, IIRC 132 in/lbs. If you over torque them it smashes and splits the gasket.

Re: transmission pan leaking still after new pan and gasket
 

I have pretty much ruled out the pan gasket as the cause of the leak. And the leak is on the passenger side. The shift seal is on drivers side. I looked at the top of the rail on that side and it
8th the wettest right by the TV cable seal. Pretty sure that's what's leaking.

Re: transmission pan leaking still after new pan and gasket
 

Right on! Hope you get it fixed.

I went through the same thing. Tried 3 pan gaskets, all rubber, just to find out there was an extra seal on the TV cable. Took the extra one off and no problems since. I dont have any problems with the rubber pan gasket; you just gotta do it right.

Heres how i do mine, finger tight with a socket, run it, let it cool then re-finger tighten it. Run it one more time then while its warm I usually go 1 or 1 1/2 turns and I havent had a leak in 3 years.

Also make sure the pan rail is straight with a straight edge if you think its the gasket.

Hope you get it fixed.

Re: transmission pan leaking still after new pan and gasket
 

Thanks man. The seals should be here by next weekend. I will update this thread if it worked or not.

Re: transmission pan leaking still after new pan and gasket
 

sorry forgot to update this. i replaced the tv cable seal and the leak is finally gone!