RTV: Yay or Nay?

[PTJoey]

When changing transmission fluid, is it advisable to use RTV silicone (a) as the only gasket on the pan, (b) along with a rubber or cork gasket, or (c) not at all with a gasket?

Comments appreciated.

[JoeX]

Black oil resistant RTV is all I've used.
There have been no paper or cork gaskets on the few that I have done.
When you apply the sealant make sure you go around each bolt hole.
You don't need to apply it heavily as most will squeeze out as you tighten the bolts.

[Handy_Cruiser]

I used the rubber gasket that comes with the filter along with a light coat of RTV to fix the gasket to the pan. From the factory, only RTV is used. But over time, things will hit the transmission pan so a little denting and/or warping is not unusual. The use of the gasket helps fill in irregularities that RTV alone sometimes does not. It's just extra assurance that you get a good seal.

[rsrocket1]

My 09 PT came with the ATF pan sealed with only the black RTV. When I replaced it, I used a Fel Pro gasket with no RTV. Not a single drop or damp spot since replacing. The most important thing is to make sure the old stuff is cleaned off without nicking the soft metal and the bolts are torqued in a cross manner to the proper torque spec.

[BigDodgeGuy]

Well... very interesting timing! I just changed the ATF last weekend and was really quite blown away over the use or not use gasket/RTV debate! Here is what I did. I ordered the filter kit from Rock Auto which came with the filter and trans pan gasket as well as a Dorman pan with a drain plug. I also bought 5 qts of Mopar ATF4 from my local dealer.

I ended up using both the gasket and Permatex RTV (specific for transmissions) and so far so good! No leaks! I ran a bead just around the pan/holes let it tack up for about 20 mins then put on the gasket. I made sure the thread/holes on the trans were clean by chasing a clean bolt through each hole. I was concerned about RTV in the body threads. Then made sure the trans body was clean (where the gasket comes in contact with the trans), installed the filter, then bolted the pan/gasket to the trans body. No RTV between the gasket and the trans body. After carefully cleaning the pan bolts with brake cleaner - they had the OEM black RTV on the treads - slowly tightened the bolts in the star pattern. First finger tight, then slightly increasing the torque each time around.

Using a torque wrench I went round and round until they got to spec (165 in lbs, i believe). Then I let the PT sit until the next day to allow the RTV to fully cure and then poured in 4 qts. of ATF. Started the car, let it idle a bit and shifted through the gears a few times. Rechecked the level and added about 1/2 qt. So, its been a few days and it seems to be holding pretty well.

Good luck!

BDG

[NitroPT]

Choose either sealer or gasket for an ATX steel pan. Using both do not work together in the long run.

The factory does not use a gasket in that area and most better quality transmission or PERFORMANCE Transmission shop also only use sealers in most every application.

The additives in the ATX fluid tends to eventually soak into the gasket even if you use a sealer on it and then you will have a leak.

The pan on the PT Cruiser is punched steel and is not machine surface flat. The use of a gasket will not compress well enough in all areas of the pans flange against the aluminum case transmissions machined flat surface firmly enough for longevity sealing.

The FACTORY SERVICE MANUAL and ALL DATA both show sealer only for shops to follow in servicing the transmission pan on the 41TE automatic transmission for the PT Cruiser.

I recommend to use Permatex® Ultra Grey® Rigid High-Torque RTV Silicone Gasket Maker .US Part Number: 82194

Automobile
Suggested Applications: oil pans, automatic transmission pans,

[magoo28630]

I just changed my trans fluid last weekend. It had black rtv only when I removed the pan.
I put ultra grey only when I replaced the pan. no leaks no problems. Like has been said before, go around all bolt holes.
magoo

[chuzz]

I do it the same way Handy does. RTV and a gasket. Rubber comes with the kit I get from O'Reilly Auto Parts.

[03PTCrewser]

Don't you guys that have removed the pans with sealant only find it very difficult to get the pan off?

I have found it extremely difficult to remove a trans pan that was installed with only sealant. About the only way I could get it off was by using a razor blade in vice-grip pliers and a lot of cursing someone, sweat and elbow grease.

Chrysler must have applied some type of parting agent to the trans flange to allow easy removal of the pan.

[chuzz]

Originally Posted by 03PTCrewser

Don't you guys that have removed the pans with sealant only find it very difficult to get the pan off?

I have found it extremely difficult to remove a trans pan that was installed with only sealant. About the only way I could get it off was by using a razor blade in vice-grip pliers and a lot of cursing someone, sweat and elbow grease.

Chrysler must have applied some type of parting agent to the trans flange to allow easy removal of the pan.

A rubber mallet and a small block of wood always worked for me. Have you tried that? Scraping comes into play, of course, but you have to do that with a gasket too. Especially a cork one!