Also, even if that's not a leak, I still need to get new/clean fluids in there.

 

I'm doing mine after work today.

 

Talked to a Lexus mechanic with decades of experience working on these cars. He said silicone (not a gasket) is what will be on my LS400. Said they didn't use gaskets. Not sure if he was just referring to the 1st generation LS400s (what I drive), or LS400s in general.

 

iirc Lexus didnt use a gasket, they used RTV, which is why you can't walk into a dealership and ask for a trans pan gasket.

 

UPDATE: I got the work done (took about an hour) for $130 at an indie shop with Lexus trained mechanics. Everyone's input/comments here saved me several hundred dollars. And yes, they used RTV/silicone (there is no transmission pan 'gasket' per se). The car runs much better and shifts smoother. I did not have a flush done, as removing the pan drained out maybe 5 quarts of fluid.

 

UPDATE: Drove 30 miles or so at freeway speed to get to the shop. Looked at the y-bar (in area behind the tranny pan) for wet spots, and there were none. I would think if there were a true leak at that seal, I would see blowback of the fluid after driving at high speed for some distance.

The reason I had the work done anyway is because there WAS visible pooling on one outer corner of the pan (nothing major though), more so than the last time that was looked at (year ago?). Plus taking off the pan drained out a lot more of the dirty fluid (decided against a full flush).

I could have put it off for longer, how much longer before it developed into a full-on leak I do not know. I do know shops recommend this 'fix' when the 'problem' is nothing more than normal seepage. So do your homework and see for yourself before agreeing to the expense.

 

yea too high, my mech quoted me $50 lol

glad u got it settled