Hey guys! Believe it or not, I think my drop pan will cure itself from oil leaking.

I purchase a filter & gasket kit. The gasket feels like rubber....ATF+4 is formulated in a way that makes gasket expand...sort of like. Leak stopping additive.

Reason is ever since I drop the pan, I notice the leak is gradually lesson. First few days, it's like 1 drop every 1/2 hr, two weeks later, now it's like 1 drop an hour...seriously...so if this concept is true, by next month, no more leak.

I did some research, if you guys remember the old days say 1980 or 90's...we use to use the same brake Fluid and trans Fluid...it's same. Now you cannot...I have heard from a source saying you put ATF+4 into a brake system, the ATF +4 will gradually expand the rubber seal inside the master cylinder thus causing a leak...True or False?

 

I mean brake & trans fluid...use to be same. But now it's not

 

Completely wrong.
Brake and ATF are different. Always have been and always will be.
Power steering fluid is same as dexron 3, in most cases. Honda is different, as well as most euro imporrts. Generally speaking of course, look at your model to make sure.

Dot 5 brake fluid, not 5.1, will destroy a brake system with dot 3 or 4 in it. The seals dont care what is used, but mixing the two will turn the fluid to acid and eat things up.

ATFs are vehicle specific these days. Some manufactures claim that their fluid is good for all, but the factories all have their own special stuff. Most newer transmissions are calling for synthetic fluids to be used, make sure to get the right stuff.

 

Noted that brake & trans fluid is different.

But will rubber seal (or gasket) expand in size when dip into ATF + 4?

 

It could, I guess. Probably has more to do with heat than fluid. I've never heard of the fluid having stop leak in it, but you never know.

 

reason I ask because I want to let this leak go on, say for 3 months. See if it will stop leaking by itself since the rubber gasket is rubber, ATF +4 will cause the rubber to double in size (matter of time)....

I was brought up during the 80's my uncle has a DATSUN 240Z, one day he was out of brake fluid, so he used trans fluid. He told me it is same....that stuck in my head.

So last time about 6 months ago, my brake fluid was low, so I add ATF+4 into the reservoir. 6 months later when I check & open the reservoir cap, a FAT piece rubber pop off? I said WTF....I try to fit it back under the cap & it does not fit. I went to auto zone & purchase a brand new rubber seal for the cap....DAMN! the old piece is twice the size! so the ATF+4 expanded the rubber piece.

if this is true, this effect may cure my drop pan leak, but bad news is that my brake system may be ****ED...

 

Maybe. Hope for the best.

 

I bleeded the brake system since....hope 3-6 monts from now the leak will stop itself from the rubber gasket expanding...I'm already happy to see less dripping in 2 weeks.

So how much do dealer charge for drop pan oil change now a days?

 

I don't work for a dealer, but I would think in the $200 range.