Need advice on sealing transmission pan

I've done mine twice. First time FIPG. Second time cork gasket. I was worried about the cork, but it hasn't been a problem. Probably been 6 months and no leaks whatsoever.

 

Its been a couple of years IIRC i put a 10 mm socket in a vice put the bolt in head first then smacked the tail with a hammer and the socket will push the washer off, you wont hurt the threads of the bolt its piloted for the first 1/16
good luck
R/

 

Problem identified. The pan flange was bent in at several bolt holes. Removing one bolt at a time and bending the spots back with pliers actually slowed the leak. I'll probably take the pan off sometime soon and get it perfectly flat. I expect that will do it.

 

Do you recall what brand sealant? I've used the permatex copper spray. Not sure if it's ok with ATF.

 

i use the toyota gasket maker stuff, make sure to grind off the old stuff/debris off, tighten to spec torque in a star, let it sit for 24 hours, then add the atf

 

Permatex red is typically what I use. No issues ever

 

So I decided to check the pan bolts. Yeah. I know. Maybe, just maybe, that should have been done already….
Anyway, I did “drop” the transmission in January, did valve body work, etc. All’s that to say that it hasn’t been that long since the last pan drop.
When I checked the bolts, there were some pretty loose ones. Now if they were all say, the rear ones, I’d admit that maybe I missed them? Doesn’t attest to my cross tightening due diligence, but ok. It was one heck of a long job I did. Point is, the loose ones were random. One middle left, another front right, etc. & by loose I mean a couple I had to give 4/5 twists of the ratchet. A couple others, maybe 3 twists. Many were fully torqued.
Is it possible the bolts could have loosened up that much? I’ve never had a bolt break or replaced any. In other words, no mods required that would compromise the bolt holes.

 

I've used Permatex and Black Magic Form-A-Gasket products.

Besides a clean dry prep.,
Some of those gasket makers work best if you finger tighten them 1st and wait 10min, until it starts to cure, before torquing it down.

 

Update - Aside from the bent flanges, the pan bolt holes were all terribly dimpled. I'm surprised it sealed as well as it did. I had noticed that before but thought it was by design. Obviously a little thought would tell me the mating surface needs to be uniform!

Repaired, cleaned, installed pan stiffener, farpak gasket, and spring washers on bolts. Over the last day I keep having to retighten the bolts to stop a leak. Not more torque, just a smidgen more to regain the same torque for some reason. Seems good now but we'll see. The pan stiffener is great, prevents gasket or pan damage. Bastards should have built it that way. The farpak/fiber gasket is hard thin material and probably seals great right away if your pan was never damaged.

So pretty much all set. If need be, I will try a cork gasket (thicker and more spongy) to compensate for the remaining imperfections, or RTV as a last resort which would definitely work the best (it almost worked with my pan bent to trash).

 

Appreciate the follow through (update). It’s frustrating when you read a thread cuz you’ve got the same issue, only to get to the end & …. Crickets….