hello all !
1995 Z-28, 350ci, 4L60EDropped the tranny pan and replaced the filter with a Pioneer filter and gasket.
I used a thin film of Permatex Blue RTV on the pan side so that the gasket would stay in place while I fitted the pan back up onto the tranny and put the bolts in.
Torqued the bolts to 100 lbs (Haynes calls for a range of 96-120 lbs). Then, I filled to capacity with Valvoline Dex-Merc III.
I drove to the office and back and then to run a quick errand - a total of about 60 miles. When I got back and drove into the garage, I opened the driver's door and immediately smelled tranny fluid.
There was a puddle under the driver's side rear tire and a "thin" puddle from the area of the pan back about 1/2 way under the driveshaft (on the floor). A total of maybe a cup or two of fluid.
I crawled under the car and noticed that the tranny fluid was leaking from between the gasket and the tranny (not the pan and gasket). This gasket appears to be made out of some sort of rubber material.
Apparently, what has happened is that because of its "rubber" content, the gasket has "squeezed" out a bit in places, allowing fluid to leak around it.
Does anyone have any suggestions for a better seal for the second go-round? Should I opt for a cork gasket? Or some sort of composite material that doesnt "stretch" like this one did?
Should I use Blue RTV at all? Or maybe some other product? If so, should I run a thin film of it on both sides of the gasket or a "medium size" bead on both sides?
Thanks!
One other confusing thing ... there was a puddle of tranny fluid, mostly around the left-rear tire, but there is no sign of fluid spewing from the driver's side of the tranny. no evidence of fluid on the undercarriage at all, the driveshaft or anywhere else in the vicinity of the tranny.