Is your car refusing to shift gears when you need it to?
Do you also see suspicious red-colored fluid puddles under your vehicle?
You may have a worn transmission gasket that has run its course and given out.
The thin gasket, made of cork or rubber, sits between the transmission housing and pan to prevent transmission fluid leaks. But if the gasket leaks, don’t delay the replacement until the last minute, or you may face serious transmission issues.
Wondering how much a transmission gasket replacement costs?
We’ll break down the expenses, signs of a bad gasket, and the steps to diagnose it.
This Article Contains:
- How Much Does Transmission Gasket Replacement Cost?
- Is It Worth Replacing the Transmission Gasket?
- 7 Warning Signs You Need a New Transmission Pan Gasket
- How Long Does a Transmission Gasket Last?
- How Do You Diagnose a Damaged Transmission Gasket?
- How to Replace the Transmission Gasket: An Overview
How Much Does Transmission Gasket Replacement Cost?
Here are the potential expenses when replacing a damaged transmission pan gasket:
A. Range
The average cost of replacing a transmission gasket is around $160 to $410, which includes:
- Auto parts cost: $10 to $120
- Labor cost: $150 to $290
B. Factors Affecting Repair Cost
Besides your location, labor costs, and repair shop charges, here are other factors that can impact your total:
- Transmission type: Modern vehicles with continuously variable (CVT) and automatic transmission systems are more complex and advanced. The cost of replacing a gasket in these vehicles is higher than in a manual transmission car.
- Gasket material: Gaskets are usually available in paper, cork, rubber, cork rubber composite, nitrile rubber, formed rubber, metal rubber, or neoprene rubber. Metal rubber gaskets used in high-end CVT or automatic transmission cars are the most expensive.
- Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) vs. aftermarket parts: While aftermarket gaskets are more affordable, original auto parts offer a precise fit and extended durability. This makes OEMs a smarter investment.
- The extent of engine damage: If the cracked gasket has caused fluid leaks, the mechanic will check parts like the transmission pan and clutch plates for overheating. Fluid loss can often warp or corrode the pan, bearings, and metal parts, increasing the repair cost.
- Extra services: If you top up or change the transmission fluid after the gasket replacement, your repair bill will increase by $120 to $510.
Is It Worth Replacing the Transmission Gasket?
Absolutely!
Transmission fluid is necessary for lubricating, cooling the transmission parts, and smooth gear shifting.
If your gasket tears, debris will enter the system and wear down your bearings and metal parts. It can also cause a leak, which will force your transmission to work harder due to increased friction, heat, and strain on internal components.
Eventually, your system will overheat, get damaged extensively, and need an expensive transmission repair. That’s why you should have a mechanic check out your car at the first sign of trouble.
7 Warning Signs You Need a New Transmission Pan Gasket
If your vehicle has a failing gasket, it’ll exhibit these symptoms:
- Illuminated check engine light
- An amber or red fluid pooling under the car
- Grinding gears due to metal-on-metal contact of transmission parts
- Gear slipping
- Burning smell due to an overheated transmission
- Excessive transmission vibrations
- Delayed or slow gear shifting due to lack of fluid
How Long Does a Transmission Gasket Last?
A transmission gasket can last for about 30,000 to 100,000 miles. However, it may deform or crack prematurely if:
- It’s made of poor-quality paper or cork
- The mounting surface has rust, dirt, or fluid stains that damage the gasket
- It was installed incorrectly
- The transmission pan bolts are over-tightened
- There’s excess heat in the transmission system
How Do You Diagnose a Damaged Transmission Gasket?
Diagnosing a transmission gasket can be time-consuming, as you have to disassemble multiple components under the vehicle to check the gasket’s condition. You also need good technical knowledge to diagnose the issue correctly.
If you suspect your gasket needs a look, visit a local repair shop or hire a professional for thorough and accurate troubleshooting.
Here are the steps they’ll follow:
- Test drive the vehicle to check whether the gears are changing smoothly.
- Check for violent car jerks and grinding sounds from the transmission area.
- Park the car on a flat surface.
- Lift and secure the vehicle using jack stands.
- Inspect the transmission pan for fluid stains that may indicate a leak.
- Examine if the fluid is discolored or contaminated.
- Access the gasket and verify whether it’s misaligned or damaged.
If the gasket shows signs of wear, you need a replacement ASAP.
How to Replace the Transmission Gasket: An Overview
Here’s how your mechanic will change the transmission gasket:
- Locate the drain plug (if present) and loosen it. Alternatively, they’ll loosen the transmission pan bolts to allow fluid to drain into a catch pan.
- Unscrew the bolts, carefully detach the pan, and set them aside.
- Scrape the old gasket off the pan’s mating surface and clean the rust, dirt, or fluid residue around the pan’s mating surface.
- Wipe the mounting surface on the transmission housing to ensure it’s debris-free.
- Align and place the new gasket on the pan’s mating surface.
- Reattach the pan to the transmission housing. They’ll then secure the pan bolts and tighten them according to the torque specifications.
- Wipe the drain plug and re-insert it in its place.
- Refill the transmission fluid:
- Through the fill plug or
- Through the dipstick tube after lowering the vehicle and opening the hood. This step will vary depending on what’s available in your CVT, automatic, or manual transmission car.
- Start the engine and change the gears from drive to reverse mode so that the fluid can circulate in the system. Then, the mechanic will engage the parking brake.
- Open the hood when the car is idling to ensure the transmission fluid level meets the car manual’s specifications.
- Look for leaks and test drive the vehicle to check proper gear engagement.
Depending on the gasket’s condition, the replacement will take an hour or more to complete.
Keep Your Transmission Leak-Free with AutoNation Mobile Service
Delaying gasket replacement can cause fluid leaks, leading to overheating, gear slipping, and severe transmission damage. This can result in costly repairs or even total transmission failure.
Since the gasket sits underneath your car, accessing and replacing it on your own can be tricky.
But don’t worry — AutoNation Mobile Service has you covered.
Our mobile mechanics can quickly inspect and replace the gasket right from your driveway. You’ll also get competitive pricing and after-hours support on all services, making your repair convenient and hassle-free.
Get in touch with us to book your transmission repair today.