Some time last week I had the car on jack stands, and I noticed the bolts on the pan were all covered in red fluid. I went to check all the fluid levels, and my transmission fluid dipstick came out dry. Sometimes when I move my car there will be a red spot on the ground. What do I need to do?

 

Have the fluid changed and a new gasket put on. Should cost $90-$50 at a tranny shop.

 

I agree it is probably your pan gasket. Be sure and change the filter while the pan is off. If you are a do-it-yourselfer it is an easy (but messy) job, and will cost about $25 for the filter and gasket, and then about 5 quarts of fluid, cost varying upon the brand you select.

 

Try to get a rubber gasket instead of the cork gasket if you do it yourself. The rubber gaskets have plastic inserts around the bolt holes which are good because you can't crush the gasket. Mobil 1 ATF is a good fluid. When you torque the bolts down they only need something like 10-20 ft lbs, check the service manual though.

 

Thanks, I'm gonna take it to my friend's work where they have a lift.

 

Yea, do it yourself, save some money. The best way is to start at one Corner when you start to drain the Pan, or you will have a mess.

I've seen plenty of people give themselves a Dexron Bath..then they watch me do it and go WTF..
lol

 

I'll bet they turned red when that happened!

 

We're gonna go one step further and install a shift kit while we're at it :]