The 700r4 in my IROC leaks around the pan gasket. After changing three trans pan gaskets, then replacing the OE steel pan with a new cast pan, I still have trans fluid leaks around the front and right edges. Two bolt holes were stripped so I installed heli coils and new bolts all around. Leaks after the fluid is warm. It is not leaking anywhere else, just along the pan gasket area, I have had it up on the rack many times looking for other fluid leak sources. Am I just being a bone head or do I need to silicone the gasket in place?

 

my guess is you have a leak around the dip stick tube. if it is the pan my second guess would be you've over tightened the bolts, maybe the stripped threads tipped me off, and deformed the pan. make sure the pan is flat and not deformed. i'd use some rtv to hold the gasket to the pan, not to seal it, and install it dry on the trans side.

 

My latest (3rd) attempt to seal the leak included replacement the OE pan with a new cast aluminum pan, gasket and new bolts. I installed the gasket dry and snugged it down.

Since the leak appears along the right front of the pan area first, you may be correct. If I could see tranny fluid leaking from around the filler / dip stick tube where it enters the tranny, I'd at least feel more confident in that's where it's leaking from. The tube and seal are less than a year old but if the seal isnt doing it job, it needs to be replaced. I'll give it a shot.

Thanks for the input.

W

 

I've got a similar leaking problem and i've kinda decided it has to the front seal. Something else to consider.

 

I smear RTV on the pan, then the gasket then another layer on top of the gasket and bolt up snuggly. I have never had one leak. As mentioned above, you could have a tube seal leaking, the fittings leaking or even the gasket where the TV cable goes into leaking.

 

Thanks. Already checked that. I do appreciate the input.

 

I have a similiar problem and im currently trying to diagnose it. I cant tell where the fluid is leaking from but its a constant drip from the front passenger side of the oil pan. My hopes are that its the dipstick tube, I dont know where else it would be leaking from. How much did the new pan cost you?

 

I fought this on my 88 for a while. Finally sprayed some carb cleaner to get it really clean and dry, watched it close. Actual leak was from the front pump, around the edge there is a big o-ring seal that, I guess, gets hard and loses seal. When I would tighten up the pan bolts a bit, the leak got worse. Really hard to spot the exact area for sure. Hope this is not your problem.