Dodge Transmission Pan gasket?

[Gus]

2002 Dodge Dakota 4.7L, 75k miles.

Decided it was time to drop the pan and replace the filters/fluid. Wix filter kit came with a pan gasket. Upon taking this one off it is apparent they did not use a gasket but rather just RTV.

Should I use the rubber gasket that came with the kit or go buy some RTV and just use that? RTV and Gasket?

If RTV, is there any preferred kind?

No current issues with transmission, just preventative maintenance.

Thanks!

Gus

[Jeremy airjer W]

Either way is fine. I prefer to RTV them if that's what they had.

Here's what you should use. Napa carries an RTV ultra grey in a cheez whiz can. The can should also be grey in color. One of the best rtv's I have come across.

Here's what you should not use. RTV blue or RTV orange. Or as I like to call it "the sure sign somebody that has been under the hood that shouldn't have been!" These two alway cause more problems than they solve mostly because it has been liberally applied to everything it should not have been applied to!

[Gus]

Thanks AirJer! I was hoping you'd get a chance to respond. Will stop at NAPA on my way home from work and finish the job tonight.

Thanks for all the information you share on this board.

Gus

[1968]

RTV on a routine service is tricky. The trans fluid never stops trickling down, making a good seal tough to achieve. The factory has the benefit of a dry upside down trans when they goop it together.

"The right stuff" is one of the best form in place gasket makers if you go that way.

[Jeremy airjer W]

when using the form a gasket a good tip is to let the trans drain for a little bit. Clean the mating surfaces well. Use some brake clean on a rag and wipe down all the mating surfaces. Apply the bead of RTV to the pan. Install the pan and tighten the bolts finger tight. Walk away for about 20-30 minutes then tighten the bolts snug. This will allow time for the gasket to setup and then provide the best seal possible.

I do quite a few caravan side pans, they never stop dripping. I have yet to have one come back when using this procedure.

Same thing on the caravan tranny pans. except I will jack up the rear as high as possible with the pan off. This will help empty the diff. When you drop the rear down the drain has almost completely stopped.