Date:         Wed, 9 Mar 2016 11:40:38 -0500
Reply-To:     Larry Alofs <lalofs@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Larry Alofs <lalofs@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Trans pan gasket
Comments: To: Michael <mikewelldon@icloud.com>
In-Reply-To:  <AF8BEDED-E647-430D-9870-16FDB88AE762@icloud.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

Hi,
   I assume you are talking about an automatic, judging only by your
signiture.

  This job may be a little different than you anticipate.  The draining is
done by disconnecting the fill/check tube at the side of the pan.  The nut
that holds it may be very hard to loosen.  Ideally done with a metric open
end wrench of correct size or else a large adjustable wrench.  Judging from
damaged nuts I have seen, some resort to a pipe wrench.  A properly sized
box wrench gives the best purchase, but cannot be used without cutting off
the brace that supports the pipe from the bell housing.  BTDT, but only
when the trans is out of the vehicle.
  The "gasket" is not cork or paper, but a rubber-like material with a
U-shaped cross section.  There may not be much residue to remove, unless
someone used sealant last time.  The gasket fits over the edge of the pan
and goes into a groove in the trans.  It's great fun scraping sealant out
of that groove on your back under the van.

You should buy a complete service kit, so that you can also replace the
screen while you are in there.

In theory, if everything is clean and straight, sealant should not be
needed with a fresh rubbler gasket.  Lay the pan upside down on a flat
surface to check that the edge is not distorted.  Theory and practice
sometime don't agree.  I have installed these pans successfully without any
sealant, but have also had to drain the new fluid and start all over using
"the Right Stuff".

I have also purchased a gasket that was a little too small and would not
stay on the edge of the pan without gluing it down first.  Unfortunatly, I
don't know where that one came from.

Have fun; keep things clean,
Larry A.


On Wed, Mar 9, 2016 at 10:39 AM, Michael <mikewelldon@icloud.com> wrote:

> Hey guys,
>
> I had my transmission gasket fail awhile back and I'm going to replace it
> soon. Seems straight forward:
>
> Drain the oil
> Take off the pan
> Remove gasket residue
> Replace gasket and pan
> Fill with oil
>
> Anything I'm missing or is it jus as simple as that?
>
> Never done it before but at one point that statement was true for all the
> work I've done on the van
>
> Any insight is appreciated.
>
> Mike
> 88 auto w/ac
>