samson_420

iTrader: (1)

Well, this sucks. My car(IS300) is leaking tranny juice around the pan.

I know the Lexus in not a LSX car by any means, but the IS/Lexus forums are filled with Douche bags.

I need to know what is a real good sealant to use around a tranny pan gasket.

It currently has the gasket with orange RTV, and it freaking leaks.

WE TODD DID

iTrader: (2)

Pan gasket only. No sealer. Thats why it leaks.

samson_420

iTrader: (1)

Really?

Gasket straight up?

FBJR

And tighten it gently if you don't torque wrench it (1/4 drive helps with that). Go around a couple times.

samson_420

iTrader: (1)

But, unlike the Camaro pan it it sheet metal.

I am just affraid of it not sealing right.

joecar

If your pan is sheet metal, then make sure the bolt holes are flush and not sticking up above the mating surface;
if they're sticking up, then support the edge of the pan and carefully hit them back down with a hammer (don't bend the pan or the mating surface).

If your pan is cast aluminum, then don't hit it with the hammer... just make sure the pan bolt holes are flush/flat.

Make sure all old gasket material is removed/cleaned from both mating surfaces.

ATP makes black fibre gaskets, I have good results with these.

Don't use RTV.

samson_420

iTrader: (1)

I hate transmission pan gaskets.

The Toyota fluid is as thin as light Maple syrup, which makes it more prone to leaks.

Another guy said to use a thin bead of RTV on both sides of the gasket.

They dry gasket idea I just don't think will work since it is a stamped pan.


I rather use a sealant but probably not RTV. I just can't think of a tougher sealant to use on a transmission.

performabuilt

iTrader: (25)

Find a cork gasket and use no sealant. But oddly I though the LEXUS came with a rather thick rubber gasket I could be wrong though . Dont over tighten

andrew69_04

iTrader: (148)

no sealer man. torque the pan to factory specs. most of the leaks i have seen are from overtightening the pan and it splits the gasket....LEAK....

samson_420

iTrader: (1)

The gasket that it has now is kind of in the middle of cork and paper.

Man, I want this damn thing to seal the first time I do it.

Maybe I will just use JB Weld - Or not.

samson_420

iTrader: (1)

I called the Stealership and they said that they don't even have a gasket listed.

They told me they use straight sealant only.

Now that I think about it. It kind of looks like the ATF is soaking through the gasket.

9000th01ss

iTrader: (10)

The only reason RTV/silicone won't work is if you don't get both surfaces perfectly degreased.
You can use it on any gasket, you just need to degrease everything and put it on three sides- trans side, pan side, and the outer edge. It WILL work if it's 100% clean and nothing has dripped on it after cleaning.

Think about it, rear end covers on many factory vehicles have a stamped steel cover and come with RTV/silicone, you can take all the bolts out of those and they still won't leak until you pry them off.

samson_420

iTrader: (1)

I think silicone will be kind of thin.

What about the Right Stuff? That is what I use on all oil pans and timing covers.

9000th01ss

iTrader: (10)

I thought it was the same stuff in a easy to use self dispensing container.

Silicone/RTV works, any thing else is going to squish out just the same.

Another reason people don't have luck with silicone is because for some dumb reason they put it on one side and let it set up to skin over. Not a good idea, yea it makes removal easier they say, why? because it's not tightly stuck to both sides, which is why it leaked.

Clean it with brake cleaner, make sure no fluid is still dripping or running out, put a 1/4" bead around it and stick it up there, put all the bolts in right away and tighten them down, then take the backyard mechanic look away by wiping the sides where it squeezed out with a rag.

samson_420

iTrader: (1)

From what I know, The Right Stuff has a whole different composition than silicone. + It is thicker.

9000th01ss

iTrader: (10)

Then use it, the most important thing is to get everything degreased still.
Silicone works, if the right stuff is better then it will work too.
I've never had silicone leak so I never tried the right stuff.

samson_420

iTrader: (1)

Should I coat both surfaces, the tranny and pan?

9000th01ss

iTrader: (10)

Just get everything clean, all bolts ready, put a bead around the pan, hit the trans straight on and put the bolts in. Tighten it up and wipe the mess off the outside if you want.

samson_420

iTrader: (1)

I just hope this crap seals.

samson_420

iTrader: (1)

Well, this blows ***. When they pulled the pan, they never scraped off all of the old sealant. Then they stuck a gasket in the middle. On top of it all who ever the hell did this over torqued the bolts. So the pan is toast.

I will have to get a new pan, then I will use the Toyota OEM sealant without the gasket.