RTV or Gasket

[maxbiker99]

Hi everyone! I’m about to change the transmission fluid, drop the pan, and replace the filter on my 2010 Mazda 3 2.5L. From the factory, the transmission pan does NOT have a gasket, but uses orange RTV to seal it against the transmission housing. However, my filter kit includes a new filter along with a new rubber gasket for the transmission pan. I know I need to scrape and remove the old RTV sealant from both surfaces, but should I use the rubber gasket or use the Permatex Right stuff Grey RTV sealant I purchased?

FWIW, the FSM states to use silicone sealant, but using a gasket would really make things easier the next time around.

Thanks!

Topic

[Ingvar]

Well, it’s a toss, really.
Mating surfaces are made for grey silicone. Gasket is prone to damage, is very sensitive to torque and eventually starts leaking.
I’d go with the grey stuff.

[Lorrin Barth]

The right suff will seal better if properly applied. Technicians like gaskets because less cleanup. In the end they are both gaskets.

[James O’Hara]

If it had rtv use rtv just clean both mating surfaces well.

[Author]

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