1997 Dodge Stratus repair help

Chances are you either got a full rubber gasket or cork and over tightened it causing it to squeez out the sides and leak. What I recommend is request a composite (paper) gasket. When you remove the pan, you have to prep the pan too. In addition to cleaning all old gasket material from the pan and trans, you need to pean the pan.

I'm going to try to explain this. Picture the bolt going through the steel pan. WHen you tighten it, the bolt will actually bend the steel pan toward the transmission. What you need to do is take a ballpean hammar and tap all of the holes back flat. THat will help prevent the pan from cutting the gasket.

WHen you tighten the pan up, if you have a good composite (paper type) gasket, you should be fine. They are less likely to squeeze out. Snug all of the bolts then in a crossing sequence, tighten them. I always use a 1/4" drive so that I can't overtighten them.

Try this and let me know if it helps. IT always works for me. If you have other questions, let me know. Also, I realize the trans pan on this car is a heavy gauge steel, but make sure to pean it.

Joe