Firstfives.org

I pulled out the rear crank seal carrier in an effort to be thorough while swapping transmissions and although I was careful about it a chunk of my pan gasket came off with it, still stuck to the extracted carrier. Now I realize that going by the book I should now replace my pan gasket but I really would prefer not to do that. Does anyone out there think I can actually get away with putting some gasket sealant or form-a-gasket in there and somehow NOT end up with a big leaker?

Love to hear from you.

Ken
1979 528i about to be 5-speed

It's possible that'll work, but I'd go ahead and do it right while in there.

I have not used the gasket makers, but good old Permatex works pretty well, I'd use #1 hardening type, though either 1 or 2 should work fine. Get it good and clean, goop it up and you should be fine. Replacing the gasket is the preferred way, but it's not always an ideal world.

Oh mike, I took your silence as disapproval and decided to bite the bullet and do it. I've got the entire front suspension off but haven't tried to pull the pan yet. I remember I pulled a pan once on a 528i several years ago and it was kind of easy to drop out but frustrating to put back in. I am pretty sure the sway bar was in place on that one. This time it will not be. Will the pan drop out and slide back in easily without messing with the front subframe? I sure hope so.

Thanks,
KenB

Although not for this specific application, I've used "The Right Stuff" gasket maker with great success. It has no set time, seems much tougher than RTV so whatever little excess you might have seep out of the joint will not separate and go places ready to clog up oil passages. I also like Hylomar (used it for joining split-case engines) since it never really hardens and is less likely to clog up passages. Anyone here use either?