Transmission Leak After Fluid Change - Location?

[cutlassman]

I was getting some trans fluid to leak from around the pan, dripping from the pan bolts. I did a fluid and filter change (hoping to correct a 2-1 downshift problem) and mounted the pan with a new cork/rubber gasket. The trans downshifts good, now, but I still have a few drips coming somewhere from the trans. Outside of the pan gasket, where could a leak develop on the firewall side of the engine bay? '92 3.1L 4T60

[slick]

Just keep in mind, the cork gasket is not that great. The oem gasket, if good, is reusable. You can purchase a new rubber/metal gasket still, which I would recommend.

 

[ns87]

Also, if the pan has ever been tightened improperly in its lifetime, it could be slightly warped. Mine has always leaked since I bought the car 5 years ago.

 

But I agree with slick, the cork gaskets stink. I wouldn't re-do the job to change the gasket if it isn't leaking much. Next time, try the rubber one

[Crazy K]

iirc the bolts should be tightened to about 12 foot pounds. Thats like finger tight, plus 1/2 a turn.

 

if you did more than that...

 

 

 

someday I'm gonna take my cheap ass to a u-pull it and try to get some used OEM tranny pan seals. Only one of my cars so far has had it. (I threw away the first one not realizing what it was!)

[slick]

I think you can still buy them on rock auto. I know I was looking for a co-workers 4t40e last week, and they had oem spec rubber ones on there.

[mfewtrail]

Check the "side pan", it could be leaking. If it's leaking, the fluid will be dripping on the right side of the car(if you're facing the front of it).

[jtwmechanic]

if you are ever going to find your leak start with everything clean and dry(simple green and a pressure wash) then it will show it's ugly face.

[Dirk_Diggler]

When I bought my filter to do a change on my old 4T60E it came with a small piece of paper that said something along the lines of "if the factory seal is in good condition re-use" I think it also had a small discription of the old one being metal and rubber. I reused the original and had no leaks at all. The new one was cork like you have.

[cutlassman]

There was a definite leak before I changed the fluid as many of the pan bolts would accumulate fluid and drip. What's weird is I had the OEM rubber/metal seal on there and it appeared to be in good condition, but I put on the new cork/rubber one anyway. I figured it was leaking before so something was wrong. Perhaps the pan is a little uneven or I over-torqued some of the bolts. Where is the "side pan" located? On the driver's side, but does it face the firewall or tire? Is there a seal there that can leak onto the pan? I can deal with the minor leaking for now, but maybe I'll just buy a replacement pan next time I change the fluid and go back to the OEM seal.