Re: [DML] Re: Delorean automatic pan gasket discussion (long)

[Soma576@xxxxxxx]

In a message dated 5/9/04 10:48:13 AM Central Daylight Time, 
nuttenschleuder@xxxxxxxxx writes:


> Dave,
> 
> 
> One important thing I forgot to mention.  Even without
> the rings, just hand tightening it and checking once
> in a while that the pan remains tight. 
> 
> Once someone attempts to torque the pan down to 3-4NM
> without the rings, the lip of the pan becomes bent
> around the screw holes, at that point I imagine the
> pan would have to be replaced as it will no longer
> correctly hold the gasket in place for a good seal.
> 
> 
> jordan

In my work experience, i have never seen a transmission pan gasket that 
needed any kind of rings or spacers.  but then i don't see many Renaults either!

I spoke to a couple of transmission shops about two years ago about their 
thoughts on pan bolt torque procedures.  both technicians said that trying to 
torque the bolts to a certain spec is futile and unnecessary.  they also said 
that rubber gaskets are the worst type and the best to go with are the cork kind. 
 the plastic reusuable ones from GM and Ford are also quite good.  RTV just 
makes a mess and makes things very difficult the next time around.  i don't 
have an Auto DeLorean so i don't know which type of gasket the auto trans has.

to tighten the pan down, first drop it and check for any residual gasket 
material on either the pan surface or the transmission surface.  then check very 
carefully for 'dimples' in the pan.  this is where the bolts have been inserted 
and tightened too much and it made a pan head-like dimple in each pan hole, 
leaving the pan with a little 'rise' at each hole.  the consequences of this is 
that when you try to put the pan back on, it won't seal well and the pan 
could either seep a little bit or have massive leaks as soon as you start adding 
trans fluid, depending on the severity of the dimple and the pan gasket 
material.

to remove the dimples, lay the pan flat on a hard level surface (such as a 
smooth garage floor) with the bottom of the pan facing up (so the mating surface 
is on the floor/table/whatever) and use a ball-peen hammer to carefully tap 
the dimples out. once you are done, take care to wipe any foreign material from 
the pan surface and set the gasket on the pan where it belongs.  if the 
screws fit into the gasket so that they don't fall out after they have been 
inserted, put all the screws into the gasket/pan as they should be.  if not, put the 
pan and gasket up to the transmission and put each screw in, only a few 
threads on each.  don't get close to tightening anything yet.  by now the pan should 
be suspended against the transmission with the screws halfway in.  make sure 
the gasket isn't being folded up or creased.  now grab a speed wrench (best) 
or a ratchet with a 12 inch extension (next best) and start turning on of the 
corner screws.  stop when you feel the slightest resistance by the pan and 
gasket coming together.  now do the corner opposite, then another corner, then 
another corner.  now do one of the side screws that is farthest from the last 
corner.  keep criss-crossing over the pan so that you avoid tightening screws 
closest to each other.  after each screw has been tightened a little, start over 
again applying a little more pressure than before and keep on criss-crossing.  
on the 3rd time around, you should tighten it just as much as it takes to get 
'snug'.  don't turn it until the screw stops or so that you need to use two 
hands on the ratchet, or flex your arm muscles, etc.  it's not supposed to be 
tight-tight.  just SNUG.

now add the proper transmission fluid and amount, warm the transmission up, 
shift through the gears, and add more oil as necessary.  

these are generic procedures for every automatic transmission pan i have ever 
dropped and serviced, only not applying to chrysler vehicles which use RTV.  
i have never had a problem with these procedures or a come-back.  the only 
time the pan still leaks is when the tranmission mating surface is marred, the 
pan is bent, the pan has dimples, the gasket is poor quality, or it has been 
over-tightened.  

i remind you that i have never serviced an auto DeLorean tranny (mine is a 
manual) so perhaps the DMC is one of those odd-balls, but i bet it's not.  

hope this helps you in some way.
Andy


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