Transmission Pan Removal

There's a third option: Have the dealer order the metal sandwich gasket. Very reliable, re-usable (up to 3 times - the life of the vehicle for most people), no problems separating pan the next drop, no risk of reaction of ATF with uncured RTV, and, in general, less dependent on the skills and attention to detail of the installer. The choice is yours. All three will work fine. RTV is the least desireable in most people's opinion for the reasons stated.

Bill Putney (To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my address with the letter 'x')

I second Bill's recommendation. The metal/silicone gasket has served me well on three different Chrysler vehicles.

Bob

I never have any trouble at all using RTV. The key is to leave it overnight before you fill it up.

You're welcome!

Post back with vehicle information (make - model - year) if you need the gasket part number. Many dealer parts guys/gals do not know these gaskets exist, but the part numbers for the various Chrysler transmissions are given in a TSB that many of us have access to. Won't take but a minute to look it up.

Or if your parts guy is ignorant of this part, tell him there is a TSB with the part numbers in it - he should be able to search the TSB's.

Oh - what the hey - tell him it's TSB No. 21-05-99 Rev. A - "A/T Pan Gasket - Reusable Design/Installation".

Bill Putney (To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my address with the letter 'x')

Plain black (or blue or red) RTV is a little to particular about curing for my taste, and even overnight I've had leaks with it.

I've switched to using Permatex "the right stuff" on all my transmission pans from 727s and 904s to the 42LE. You can put it on, wait 10 minutes, and then fill the pan and it will still cure correctly. No problems at all for 6-7 years now, and its not particularly hard to open back up if you know the tricks (drive a putty knife through it in a couple of places, and then tap a pan corner while gently prying downward.

I plan to try the metal sandwich gasket on at least one of the cars, but I will NEVER use a composition gasket of any sort (fiber, cork/rubber, whatever) on a transmission pan again.