ATF pan leak quick question - from a newbie

[donnyk]

I have a cursed van with a rebuilt automatic transmission. After 250 miles the transmission slipped and it was rebuilt again under warranty. I have driven it maybe another 600 miles and it has developed a leak. See photos.

See there's a bolt that has fluid on it and that corner has drips as well. I think the seal or gasket just above that is the cause as I can't find any sign of fluid above that.

This is all probably really dumb to bring to this forum, but do you think it's ok to just tighten this bolt and see if it continues - or with all your guys' experience - is this a symptom of a greater problem?

If I do tighten it, what torque do you suggest?

thanks.

[ALIKA T3]

Some gaskets are poorly sized and too short in one corner, they ten to roll themselves inwards. It kinda looks like this already judging by the pics.
Is there even a bolt? I can't see the head... Also it looks like there's a gap between the pan and the case where the bolt goes. Either confirming it's missing the bolt, or the pan is bent here from overtorquing under the bolt head or the pic is crappy with all that oil
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Syncro transmission upgrade parts in the Classifieds.
Subaru EJ22+UN1 5 speed transmission
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=416343
Syncro http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4...num+gadget

[jlrftype7]

I’ve experienced gaskets fitting poorly on the trans pan first hand.
Sometimes it helps to buy several from different brands so you can test fit for best results.
As ALIKA T3 noted, over tightening the 4 bolts won’t help. No matter how well the gasket fits.
What does help is a thin bead of Hylomar Sealant on top of the gasket once you’ve got it neatly on the pan. Helps to seal out any inconsistency between the trans case and the gasket, and this sealant isn’t like Silicone, so you’re not gluing the two assemblies together and it’s not prone to leaving strings of sealant squeezed out like Silicone can.

https://a.co/d/dvm2vro
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'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
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[donnyk]

here is another pic from further away, the fluid was wiped away, so I circled the area that the other photo was showing, but that was from the opposite angle.

there is a bolt, it was just covered in ATF.

Hmm. If tightening it is useless I will just bring it back to the shop since it's still under warranty. If it pops up again, I now know that the gasket may not fit well and to try the Hylamar Sealant. Thanks.

[donnyk]

I found the torque info for these bolts in the Bentley (14ft/lb) and every one of the 4 bolts had a good entire turn to get tightened. One was even looser... strange. They turned very smoothly. I wiped it down so I'll see if it leaks more overnight.

Is it common for these to come loose over a short time?

[?Waldo?]

[ALIKA T3]

While you can overtorque the bolts, the position of the pan won't go deeper, if you look at the aluminum casting, it has a shoulder to prevent the pan from going in deeper, where the bolt enters the case.
_________________
Silicone Steering Boots and 930 Cv boots for sale in the classifieds.
Syncro transmission upgrade parts in the Classifieds.
Subaru EJ22+UN1 5 speed transmission
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=416343
Syncro http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4...num+gadget

[xflyer]

The gasket between the pan and the case is made of synthetic rubber and can compress. However, as others mentioned, if tightened correctly it should not leak.
I experienced the poorly fitting gaskets decades ago and after that, removed the trans pan as little as possible. Also reused the old gasket as it fit much better than 'new' ones. Trans can be drained by removing the fill/check tube on the side of the pan. That's the lowest point in the pan so all fluid that can be drained will come out. Many want to access and clean the pickup screen. If the van is new to you, or the trans was repaired/rebuilt, clean the screen. After that if there is debris in the screen I've found that the trans is in need of repair.
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