Horrific battle with transmission pan

Simple pan drop and filter/gasket/fluid change. All went beautifully on Saturday morning...pan off, filter changed, pan cleaned. Filled it up and had seepage (slight) from the end around a pan bolt that wouldn't tighten up. I worked with it a bit, tightened the adjacent one and then SNAPPED the bolt. Aargh.
So, took it all back apart.....spent 4 hrs getting the bolt out. (EZ out wasn't the best idea..didn't work very well). I ended up boogering the shoulders of the hole up. Drilled and tapped that for a bigger (7x1) bolt and then tried to button it up again. I chased all the threads again and tried to button it back up. Leaked like it was raining...seems the culprit was the original loose bolt.

By that time I'd lost all enthusiasm for the job and ran out of time. It went to the transmission shop this morning. There are limits to my mechanic ability. I think I will NEVER use the gasket that comes with the filter......might be part of the issue.

 

I thought you just use the Toyota gasket maker stuff for the trans....

 

It had a cork gasket on there when I took the pan down.

 

There is a gasket, Toyota uses silicone for engine oil sumps not transmission sumps.

Those little bolts give everyone hell, even us professionals when we're in a hurry

I have a lot better feel for them but I have installed probably 5 inserts on stripped pan bolts in the last 5 years. Sometimes they strip simply when removing.

I use my smallest damned ratchet and re torque while its warm now, no issues.

 

I appreicate the insight as I am going to be putting the pan back on my trans this afternoon... I will be extra careful with the bolt torque.

just looked it up... yep, FIPG and 15 ft lbs.

 

a340 pans use Toyota FIPG, NOT a cork gasket. I would never use a cork gasket on them. You use FIPG, and finger snug the bolts. Wait a couple hours and then tighten them down by hand with a 1/4 drive rachet. It doesn't take much pressure AT ALL (as you've figured out)

 

I'm back at work today looking like I've gone 3 rounds in the ring. Lots of bruises.

 

What's wrong with the cork gasket? I used the cork gasket that came with the wix filter. After 4 years, no issues. I will say each time i used a cork gasket, it only saw 2 years of usage as that's how often I change the filter.

 

Cork is for wine bottles. IMO it's a shitty gasket material

 

I see your point. If I was to put a gasket on something that wouldn't be removed for years and years, I'd use gasket maker. Since I change my trans filter every couple years, cork works for me. To each their own

 

I have seen torque ratings for cork gaskets in the in. lb range, composite gaskets in the ft lb range.

 

I don't see a gasket in the online parts catalog, they provided a part number to a liquid gasket. Is this what you guys mean by FIPG? Fill In Place Gasket?

 

"form in place gasket" and yes.

I used the rubber gasket that came with the kit I got. Second time I've used it and never an issue.

$25 ATP B-211 Automatic Transmission Filter Kit

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000C8R9RM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

So why does toyota sell a pan gasket if they don't even recommend to use it? Part number is 35168-22011

Edit: I may have just figured this out. According to the dealer part search database, this gasket is only for base models. Did those have the A340D?

I got that part number from toyodiy.com using my VIN btw.

 

Mine didn't show a gasket, actually didn't show the liquid gasket either. Confused.

 

Black Permatex (same as Toyota FIPG form in place gasket) is all I ever use. Not a single leak ever.

 

That's probably the A43D for the 2.4 auto?

 

Right that's what I meant, A34D, not A340D. But the parts website still lists the 3.4L application as well.

 

maybe it has the same pan pattern as the V6

 

Got the truck back...$120 to save me from myself.