Transmission Fluid, Filter and Pan Gasket

By-----David Trujillo

Lets go to the parts store and get supplies. We will need around ten quarts of transmission fluid. We will also need your make and model vehicle. Get a filter and transmission pan gasket. The hardest part to this whole job is the torque pattern on the pan. We have all our parts and we are ready to tackle another repair job. Buy now you have learned enough car repair procedures to start your own business. Pull vehicle up on ramps stop in wheel wells. Get drain pan for transmission fluid. The regular oil pan will due it holds about ten quarts.

Drain Plug on side or bottom of transmission pan. Do you have a drain plug? Yes, Drain transmission fluid in the drain pan. This will take about 15 minutes. Once the pan is drained. Remove all the bolts and let transmission pan down and remove. Go to Step 2

No Drain Plug in transmission pan. Which only makes it slightly difficult. This will require a 7/16 in socket and a 3/8 in drive. Do not remove all the bolts. Leave two bolts on the rear and two bolts on the front of the transmission pan. Put two pieces of 14-gauge wire through the holes in the transmission drain pan.

Secure the other end of the wire to hold the pan. Look for somewhere on the frame to attach wire. The pan can now be suspended from the wire. Remove all the bolts. Twist the pan slightly so that fluid will drain out on the corner. Remove most of the fluid. The pan will now be light enough for you to remove. Empty the rest of the fluid into the drip pan. Go to Step 2

(Step2)

Once you have the transmission pan removed the filter will just slide down and out. Most vehicles have a drain plug on pan or body of the transmission.

Take a clean shop rag and clean out the gunk in and around the area. Take a razor blade knife and carefully remove the rest of the gasket material. It has a magnet it the pan to gather any metal fillings. Just finish wiping the pan out with clean rags.

There is a company called Versa Chem that produces a gasket bonding compound. Get a tube of Blue 613 let set on pan about five minutes. Then apply gasket making sure all the holes line up and the gasket is in the correct position. Let stand about 15 to 20 minutes.

Do not forget: Install new filter!

Now it is time to replace the transmission pan. Putting the pan on is much easier without any transmission fluid. Snug all bolts up on the pan. Torque every other bolt to 15 inch pounds. This way you will not squeeze the gasket and make it leak.

Finish tightening the bolts (15 inch pounds) and then put in transmission fluid. Shift the transmission from reverse to drive several times to make sure fluid get to all gears. You are becoming a seasoned veteran of vehicle repair. You probably never even thought about having your own business. But the option is now there. Good Job