tranny leak

I dropped my transmission pan and replaced the fluid (or at least what is in the bottom of the pan). I did the same last year. The fluid was really discoloured but shifting is really smooth now.

Anyway..........I noticed a small leak at the sharp corner of the pan. It is leaking through the gasket and I think it was there before I changed it. I did a fairly good job of cleaning the gasket surfaces and I used the re-usable gasket. I cleaned it as well. The leak is small but it is bothering me. I torque the bolts to 12 ft-lbs (or whatever it said in my book). I imagine that torquing it to this specification causes the metal spacers in the gasket bolt holes to slighly start to deform. I would also think that if one were to over torque one or more bolts that the metal parts of the gasket would permanently deform.

I wonder if this is why I have the small leak. I have removed the pan 2 and have retorqued to spec but perhaps it came from the factory over torqued and now it needs to be tighter than the spec.

BTW the mating surfaces look okay.

I have three choices:

1)Replace the gasket - Least desirebable since I just changes the oil
2)Torque the leaking part a bit tighter - May make things worse
3)Use some kid of tranmision leak fix - I was looking at Wynns but I am skeptical of additives.

Does anyone have an opinion?

Thanks

I'd try torquing that end a bit more and watch it...what's the worst case senario? You trash the gasket - it won't hurt the pan or the tranny. Advance Auto had a good deal - filter and reuseable gasket for $10.

I would not torque the tranny pan bolts any more than spec. Those bolts call for 8 ft/lbs and will snap off the head very easily. I've done that and it is not fun to get that snapped bolt out. I'd vote for a new gasket and torque everything to spec.

Yea I would just try to replace the gasket..Dont use additives thats could be trouble.. another option is a little dab of sealer around the area
I do mean little..

Thanks for the feedback. I might just live with it until I change the fluid next year. I will then use a new gasket.

It is a very slow drip.