I just called Dodge dealer about gasket for Auto Transmission on my 2001 Grand Caravan. They said to just use Black RTV? Is this true? If so after cleaning all surfaces, then applying RTV how long do I have to wait to fill Trans? Also I'm just planing on dropping the pan, cleaning, and replacing filter, then refilling. Is that good enough or is there a better way to flush whole system?

If just doing what a plan to do, how many qt's of AFT4+ will I need?

Also what is the torque spec for the transmission pan bolts?

Thanks

 

Yes, it's true. I like the high temp red RTV but apparently black works for them. Make sure you apply no more than a 1/8th inch bead in the middle of the flange.You can still use a gasket it you like or there's a multi use gasket you can get. I wait an hour before refilling. If the fluids been in there for quite a while I wouldn't recommend a flush. Just drain and fill. If you want to replace most of the fluid drain and fill X3. Use only ATF+4 fluid.

 

Yes, the pan is sealed with black silicon. After bolting up the pan, fluid can be added to the transmission. You will need around 4 quarts of ATF+4 to fill. Bolt torque is 165 in lbs.

 

I believe most pros use RTV, but on another Caravan forum the consensus of shadetree guys like me is to use a rubber gasket sold by the various parts stores. It didn't take me too long to decide that removing the factory RTV (aka epoxy) was only going to happen once in my lifetime. Maybe if I was working under the van on a lift it might be a different story, but laying on my back with my nose pressed up against the pan made breaking the RTV seal tedious to say the least. No leaks at all with the gasket (using no RTV), even after 2 additional fluid changes.

 

The dealer does have a pan gasket. Here is the part numbers. I use the RTV as well. It does seal better.

NOTE: THIS GASKET CAN BE REUSED UP TO THREE (3) TIMES.

PARTS REQUIRED:
Qty Part Number Description
**1 05011113AA Gasket, Transmission Oil Pan, 31TH**
**1 05011114AA Gasket, Transmission Oil Pan, 42LE**
1 05011115AA Transmission Oil Pan, 41TE/AE

 

You can buy the gasket, I have heard of dealers charging $30-$40 for it and it is reusable but personally I prefer the RTV. I drop the pan, clean the pan surface thoroughly with a soft scraper then brake cleaner once all the silicone is off, then apply RTV to the pan, a 1/8" bead down the center of the flange with a full circle around each bolt hole just to be safe. Then I change the filter and before fitting the pan to the transmission I wipe the surface of the housing, then stuff paper towels up inside the back edge where the fluid is running down to stop the drips for a few minutes (since they run over the flange and would contaminate the surface). Then I brake clean the housing and when I have the pan in my hand ready to go I pull the paper towels and immediately stick the pan on. Doing it this way I haven't ever had a leak. I figure it uses ~$1 worth of RTV instead of a much more expensive gasket, and given how infrequently I drop the pan I wouldn't trust a gasket of that age for re-use.

 

Pans tend to become distorted from repeated retorquing and/or contact with serious road debris such as large dead animals, tires etc. For this reason, gasket seal is a potshoot. RTV holds a perfect seal on a warped or damaged pan just as easily as a new, flat one. I prefer the aftermarket pans with drain plug. The days of degrading, torn or plugged organic filters are over; brass screen filters never clog unless the tranny blows catastrophically. After changing a bunch of 100K+ mi filters that look same as new, I no longer bother. However I do occasionally see parts laying in a pan that would be better off removed and wiped out. It is helpful to know if a timing chain assembly or something is giving out, but that sort of diagnosis would only be possible thru experience. The typical person will just wipe stuff out and forget about it.

 

Thanks to all for replying with good info. One last question. From what I understand my trans is a 41TE. 2001 Grand Caravan FWD 3.3L. Does this transmission require any band adjustment? The Van has 140K. Just trying to make a good decision on weather to just change the ATF myself or take it in incase there's bands that should be adjusted? The trans shifts fine.

Thanks

 

No. No bands to adjust. http://www.allpar.com/mopar/transmissions/41TE.html

 

A nice alternative to the dealer gasket or the headaches of RTV is to go and buy the transmission filter kit from Advance Auto Parts or similar for @ $12. It comes with a gasket. The kit I got, the trans filter wouldn't stay up in the valve body, it kept popping off. I threw the filter away, got an OEM filter, and used the pan gasket from the kit. @ 15k miles out now and she is still dry as a bone.

My concern as a shadetree mechanic was the suggestion of re-torquing the bolts after a couple of hours once the RTV had set. That, and breaking the RTV loose was a pain. The gasket allowed me to do one repair and be done.