Gasket/washer questions

[bononos]

What sort of gasket is used to reline the transmission drain pan? Fiber/rubber? I'm looking at a kit which looks like it comes with a gasket. And do I need a sealant like Permatex if I use a gasket? From what I've read, its either or.

What sort of washer should be used for drain plugs for the oil sump and transmission? Aluminum/copper/nylon?

 

[Vdubchaos]

All of your questions depend on the car you are dealing with.

 

[jlee]

All of your questions depend on the car you are dealing with.

Yup.

The transmission drain plug washer on Toyotas (at least several trucks) is aluminum. Some oil gaskets are rubber, some are metal, some are some fiber-ish something.

 

[Raizinman]

The transmission pan gasket can be either cork type material or rubber type material. Either are OK. As for whether or not to use a gasket sealer, the normal consensus is no sealer is required. Most transmission pan gaskets are designed with slightly smaller holes for the transmission bolts. This allows you to lay the gasket out on the pan and then start the bolts into the pan and through the gasket (off the car). Because the bolt holes in the gasket are slightly smaller, the bolts will stay in place as will the gasket. Then you can much easier place the transmission pan up to the transmission and start the bolts into the transmission. Remember to accurately torque the bolts. Over or under torqueing the transmission pan bolts is the number one cause of leaks.

 

[boomerang]

IMO, the best gasket for a transmission drain pan will have inserts at the bolt hole openings that will not allow for the bolts to be overtightened causing a leak. Assuming that type is available for the car I'm working on, that's the one that I personally would get. You may even find that the one you have can be reused.

In my experience, sealing washers on drain plugs rarely need replacing. Some even have o-rings.

 

[jlee]

Ahh, my bad - I read drain plug, not drain pan. I'm used to manuals.

I have had a fuel tank drain plug gasket fail (fiber), but it was likely well over 20 years old. I've never had a metal drain plug gasket need replacement.