Automatic Tranny Fluid Gasket

Getting set to do the first fluid change on a Grand Caravan automatic.
Question is: When putting the plate back on the bottom of the tranny, is it
better to use the supplied gasket or RTV (as it came from the factory). On
other vehicles, I've always gone the gasket route (after painting it with
"form a gasket") and had issues with fluid leaking from time to time.

 

After just going through this dance with my '55 Stude (not really a
comparable vehicle, I know, but still) the next time I do a tranny pan
drop I won't bother using a gasket at all and will go straight to the
"right stuff" (that's what it's called - the RTV that comes in the cheez
whiz bottle)

nate

 

I recommend that you use the dealer only re-useable combination metal and
silicone gasket described in TSB 21-05-99 Rev A (9/3/99). Not sure of your
year, but for my 1999, I think that the part number was 05011115AA for the
41TE/AE trans. I paid $25.36 for this part and it was more than worth not
needing to deal with the RTV. I've used this same style gasket on three
separate vehicles and when torqued correctly, none have leaked. It is
supposed to be good for up to 3 uses. I have not re-used for the second
time yet, but expect it should be good and also has the side benefit of
being easier to remove (the RTV can be stubborn.)

Bob

 

I second Bob's suggestion, The same type of gasket is made available by
DC for pretty much all of their trannies. I put one on my Concorde
without any leaks, and have not read of *any* problems using them on the
various LH car forums. Some aftermarket filters come with rubber or
cork pan gaskets, but I think the DC gasket is the best choice.

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

 

You are obviously going to put some aftermarket stuff in your trans and I
would suggest VERY strongly you do NOT. After having a trans failure thanks
to a piece of shit chinese filter I used 1 time because I ran out on a
Sunday I can tell you without hesitation to buy ONLY oem filter and the
reuseable gasket or the Mopar RTV. USeing anything else will put your trans
at risk.
Larry

 

Same here, I LOVE that stuff. The one drawback on engine oil pans is
that you have to separate it by driving a putty knife through the sealer
to start it breaking loose- never had that problem on tranny pans,
though, they seem to break loose with just the usual tapping at one
corner and gentle prying with a thin putty knife or screwdriver.

FWIW, "The Right Stuff" is a lot cheaper if you buy it in the
caulking-gun tube instead of the cheez-whiz bottle ;-)

 

....oh? H'mmm. (touch tone phone noises)...

Dealer says 4295875AC for '99 Durango with 42RE...rigid gasket, costs $19
Canadian...square with one corner cut off...

Yep, should work on any '60-up A904 or derivative. Cool!

Thanks DS

 

And it has multiple uses. I like using it to fill cavities in walls to
seal holes and add insulation value to my house. 8^)

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

 

Do you let it set up before you tighten it down? I thought if you did
that it would only stick to the pan (another job that I just love is
laying on my back with a gasket scraper while ATF drips onto my face...
BTDT)

nate

 

I've used it to glue the strap back into a pair of cheap swimming
sandals... got another year out of those suckers after that.

 

Nate Nagel wrote:

You can let it skin over for a few minutes, but it works well if you
just put it on and assemble too. Its less picky than RTV. I assemble
with the bolts only slightly more than "finger" tight, and then tighten
down fully an hour or so later- just my own little ritual with the stuff.