Leaking Gearbox Seal

[cmm303]

Right just dropped the sump again and I have spilt the gasket by overtightning.

Do any other gaskets fit I.e. ford ranger etc, that might mean I could pick one up locally?

Don't know for certain but worth a punt at a Ford garage. Ford ranger WL engine (1998 vintage I think)
[Edit] ignore this post, please!!

[roosmith]

I've just phoned all the East Anglian Mazda dealers and it's interesting the different responses you get, some were really helpful, told me Mazda have them in stock but that stock is in Belgium, others told me that wouldn't and couldn't deal it Bongo parts (funny as the ones that did, could search by both my reg and chassis number, as if it was on their systems!!!)

I've had a search for Ranger ones but all the phones and parts online look different. I'm not sure the early Rangers that shared the engine ever came with an auto trans?

What a bugger, looks like it's going to be on axle stands on the drive for a week until I can get a replacement for next weekend.

[cmm303]

Sorry, having a senile monent The gearbox is nothing to do with the Ford Ranger. It is a Nissan box.

[roosmith]

Right help me out people, this is the situation now -

Phoning around motor factors etc, one of the things I was asking about was cork gasket sheets for cutting your own. None had them but one said, they didn't bother stocking it now as everyone uses RTV gasket maker.

While I've watched and read the horror stories of sealer in the sensitive parts, I very carefully started again, using my damaged gasket but using gasket maker as well (the one I first used to wipe over the gasket). I let it cure properly and have clamped it back on very lightly. I've filled the gearbox up (not fully yet but enough) and no leaks. I've taken the Bongo down so it's level and still nothing an hour later.

The dilemma is do I take it as job done, knowing the horror stories. Or do I leave it parked, order a new gasket and start again next weekend?

The gasket was properly set and hasn't oozed out the outside, so why would it on the inside. Counter that, with it isn't leaking, if I drain and start again next week, I might have exactly the same issue.

My current thinking is to run it as is, checking for leaks. Order a new gasket (or two!) and if a leak comes back change it, I've nothing to loose, if a leak doesn't appear leave it as is.

Of course the reason I started this was because the gearbox was holding onto low gears when cold (for too long not the normal Bongo trait), so all of this may be hypothetical and it is going to end up in a gearbox specialists anyway!

Your thoughts gratefully received.

[Northern Bongolow]

its your choice, your the man on the spot, ive done 4-5 without changing the gaskets, didnt use any extra sealants or owt, the secret i think is to wet the gasket as above and dont overtighten the bolts, this pulls the pan out of shape and is then a right barsteward to get straight again to ever seal properly again.
from the sound of what you have done i would leave it alone now, run it and check regularly for leaks, if it does leak you will loose all the oil very quickly, or run it at too low a level and do a lot of damage to the internals, as you have said damage may already be done in the original fault with the gearchaging etc.

just keep listening out on the front street, if you hear a loudish silver bongo going past your house, dont worry its just muz doing a fly past looking for a landing strip. .

[roosmith]

Thanks Northern. I've just got off the phone to the father-in-law (40 odd years a mechanic) and he used to use "liquid gasket" all the time with no ill effect, if used properly.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing and I wish I had have reused the old one. It didn't look in too bad nick but I had a new one, so what the hell! Spoke to Outback Auto's this morning, seeing if they had a gasket and he said the same thing, he's never used a new gasket, just reuses although he does smear with sealant.

Right off to try and fit a new exhaust, no point dwelling on mistakes too long!

[Alacrity]

Pan gaskets should ALWAYS be fitted DRY especially if they are cork/rubber which some aftermarket gaskets for these are. The correct type is a impregnated 'cardboard' type material which can be re-used if no replacement is available but I would always recommend using a new one - not cork rubber though if it can be avoided.

If over tightened then the sump will have been bent out of shape in the area of the pan bolts so this will need dressing back down before refitting.

Many transmissions these days only use RTV type sealants with no gaskets - of course this will only be successful if both surfaces are clean & dry without a trace of oil - difficult to achieve with a used transmission.

The pan gasket is the same on the Jatco RE4R01A/R03A as fitted to some 1990's Nissans (200/300SX, Patrol, Serena & Terrano for example)

[cmm303]

Hmm. Bought mine from Bongo towers and looked very corky! If they are so inappropriate, why are they even made?

[Alacrity]

If they are so inappropriate, why are they even made?

Can't see where I said that.

They are not original spec, as I stated earlier, but are cheap aftermarket ones. Cork/rubber was common years ago but not so much these days thankfully as they are so prone to overtightening & leaks, as described here. You can use them successfully, but you have to be careful & know what you are doing.

Only trying to help out here with advice from a professional.

[Simon Jones]

The gasket I bought for my 2002 V6 was a thin metal thing that had a small ridge in the centre that would crush to form a seal (presumably with the addition of some sealant). However, I decided to re-use the original conventional 'cardboard' gasket with some Hermatite compound on it.

[cmm303]

If they are so inappropriate, why are they even made?

Can't see where I said that.

They are not original spec, as I stated earlier, but are cheap aftermarket ones. Cork/rubber was common years ago but not so much these days thankfully as they are so prone to overtightening & leaks, as described here. You can use them successfully, but you have to be careful & know what you are doing.

Only trying to help out here with advice from a professional.

I paraphrased:

...
The correct type is a impregnated 'cardboard' type material which can be re-used if no replacement is available but I would always recommend using a new one - not cork rubber though if it can be avoided.

.....

I was just wondering why a market puts them out there when there is a better alternative which is probably
not prohibitively expensive. But you've given some clues: "Common years ago" and "cheap".
In my case, used carefully but not knowing what I was doing . For that reason good advice is always welcome.

[mikeonb4c]

Only trying to help out here with advice from a professional.

A much valued one, and I have to admit every time you write i find myself 'getting it'. Thanks for dropping by Geoff. If you were nearer i'd be popping the Bongo in for an autobox health check.

[roosmith]

Just an update, 400 miles down and no leaks. Liquid gasket and cork saved the day. Might not be what a professional would do but it worked this time

[cmm303]

Just an update, 400 miles down and no leaks. Liquid gasket and cork saved the day. Might not be what a professional would do but it worked this time

Excellent. Good for another 25k

[roosmith]

Just an update, 400 miles down and no leaks. Liquid gasket and cork saved the day. Might not be what a professional would do but it worked this time

Excellent. Good for another 25k

Ha, here's hoping!