New Transmission Pan Leaks on 97 Grand Cherokee

[Wil_G]

I had the pan on my 97 Grand Cherokee replaced and it started to leak fluid within 3 months of replacement...Pan gets wet with fluid. The tranny shop had replaced the old rusty pan with a new pan but a new type of metal/rubber gasket, and not the cork traditional type. Any idea why it leaks? I checked and tightened all around the gasket, but seems to seep from the front. It's been over 1 year so probably no warranty.

[ChadEbert]

First question, and maybe the most obvious one, why the heck didn't you take it back at that three month mark when it started to leak? Seems logical and it woulda fallen under the repair warranty.

Secondly, drop the pan and replace the gasket, shouldn't take much time. That gasket that's on there now might have gotten pinched or had a bad spot on it.

[Wil_G]

Yeah but it's a sticky situation, as the owner of the shop fell ill, closed the shop up for a while...(smalltown shop)blahblahblah. I'm still hoping he'll honor the work so in meantime haven't had to add fluid as it still shows ok. As for me removing the pan, I don't think so as it sounds like digging myself a bigger hole than I'm already in. But you're right, it could be a kink in the fancy new gasket.

[Cam7]

Not that big a deal to replace a little messy thats all.

[ChadEbert]

Yeah, you're gonna get a little dirty and have some tranny fluid on you, but it's not that big of a repair. I'd still try to get the shop to do it, especially since he was closed for a period of time.
Good Luck!

[Caribbean ZJ]

Sometimes tranny leaks from the front could be your rear oil seal leaking. Be certain its tranny fluid, Gaskets dont leak that fast.

[ChadEbert]

They leak that fast if they are pinched or installed wrong. That aside, tranny fluid and oil are different colors anyway. I'm sure he knew that going in.

[glass]

i had a "chronic pan leak" after overhaul , turned out to be the neutral switch gasket , it s paper thin and if removed , will tear on reinstall,replaced the switch with a new one $10.00 fixed my "Pan leak "