Ford Explorer: change transmission fluid

Well, first thing you should do is post in Plain Text.

That said, you should typically replace a gasket with the same type of
original material.

You didn't mention whether or not you tightened the bolts in a star pattern
when you
put the pan back on. Using a star pattern prevents "slack" from being
pushed around the
pan lip if you were tightening in a clockwise/counterclockwise fashion.
This could cause
an opening around the last bolt you tighten down, allowing fluid to leak
out. This is where I
think your problem could be. And you should also use the rubber gasket from
Ford.
Using the cork type could be too thin. When you bought another gasket was
it the same cork
or rubber?

Judging torque by the tendons in your arm is a good way of determining
approx 10 ft lbs or so, read that in a repair manual once. The bolts should
be snug.

At any rate, try the rubber gasket, and tighten in a star pattern.

Good luck, please post your results.
r/
-IanCT


"Nate" <net> wrote in message
news:OhN8b.511$news.prodigy.com...
Alright, frustration has set in. I have a '98 Ford Explorer EB edition, V8,
all-wheel drive, automatic transmission (didn't know if all this was
necessary, but what the hell). A couple months ago, I decided to change the
transmission fluid since it had around 72,000 miles on it. I got the parts
from Autozone. The box had the filter and gasket together which was great.
Anyway, everything went great with the change, but after the change, I had a
small leak from the pan. It was more or less a couple drips of fluid on the
ground every time I checked under the truck. I made sure the bolts were at
the right torque specs and everything, so I thought the gasket was bad. To
back up a bit, the original gasket was a rubber type, and the replacement
one that I bought was the cork type. Anyway, I went ahead and bought
another filter and gasket set to do another change. This time I put RTV
sealant on the pan side to make sure the gasket didn't move any while I put
it back on the truck. I talked with a couple mechanics before I tightened
the bolts, and they said just snug the bolts on tight enough with just my
wrist until the veins kind of stood out(sounds kind of weird I know).
Needless to say, that's what I did. A couple days later, I went back under
the truck to snug the bolts down again (the mechanics told me to do that
too). It's been almost 2 weeks since I've done that and I still have a
leak. Like I said, it's more or less just a few drips here and there, but
I'd rather have no leak at all. I'm thinking my next step will be to order
a rubber gasket from Ford and try it again. Before I do that, can anybody
please help me out with this one. What am I doing wrong. Thanks

Glenn Smith

The first time I put the gasket on, I did do the start pattern of
tightening. The second time I didn't. Jim, I wish I could've posted
something earlier. I just barely put enough RTV on the pan to hold it. I
didn't get carried away with it. With that being said, if I have to change
it again, I won't use the RTV on it. Good words of wisdom on the vehicle
Jim. I'll keep that in mind when I get frustrated with things. Thanks
again folks.

With all due respect to Mr. Haynes, it's not even worth the effort to just
change the fluid in the pan - you are barely replacing 1/3 of the total
volume.

"Nate" <net> wrote in message
news:fM29b.448$news.prodigy.com... 
Ha