Auto Tranny Pan Gasket - New or Re-Use Old?

A technical question for those of you who would know:

When dropping the tranny pan as part of the Tranny Service, do you re-use the old pan gasket, or do you replace it with a new one?

Thank you in advance.

@gearcruncher

Edited for future reference:
For those seeking a quick answer to this question, our resident TW Transmission Guru, Mr. GearCruncher, responded to this question regarding these particular gaskets saying, "These are 100 % re-usable", (see Post #11 below).

 

Always replace, but they are metal, and can be re-used in a pinch (like a sunday) and no issue will arise.

I've re-used toyota pan gaskets without any issue, but results may vary.

 

Thank you.
I am of the opinion that it should be replaced, but it looks like it might have been designed to be re-used (heavy-duty rubber, with metal around the holes); and I've heard of it being done both ways.
I searched TW, but found nothing; so I decided to consult with the TW Brain-Trust

https://toyotaparts.mcgeorgetoyota.com/oem-parts/toyota-pan-gasket-3516804010

 

Just did mine. I had ordered a gasket but at 75k miles the one that came off looked pretty good. It’s not like the paper gaskets I’ve dealt with before. Looked perfectly good to reuse. Nice design.
The drain plugs should get replacement aluminum washers and the fill plug had a rubber oring that would be cheap insurance to replace.

 

Good info - thanks!
I watched a couple of u-toob vids where the gaskets were re-used, so some folks have success doing it.

Out of curiosity, did you replace the filter?
And how much fluid did it take to refill after dropping the pan (and thus losing the additional fluid from the pan)?

I'm going to do mine this summer, after the concrete floor in my garage warms up a bit; and I intend to follow the excellent advice provided by Mr. GearCruncher ( @gearcruncher ) - drop the pan, clean the magnets, and replace the filter. My only question was regarding the gasket - new or re-use old.

 

I replaced the filter. I haven't cut it open, but it didn't look too bad. The magnets had a little black metallic gunk, but much better than I expected. I used Redline fluid, bought two gallons and have a few quarts left. I intentionally overfilled and ended up draining a quart out in the temp check process.
I'll probably need to drop the pan again since I was cleaning up after I had finished and I found an o-ring that goes from the filter housing to the trans. No one seems to know if there is one on the new filter so unfortunately I'm probably going to need to drop it again to make sure. Although I've driven 200 miles and it's shifting fine.

 

More good info - thanks again!

So, you probably used about 6+ quarts (?), I was going to get 8 qts to be safe.
Mr. GearCruncher, our resident Transmission Guru, might be able to shed some light on your O-ring issue ( @gearcruncher ).

 

If the design is anything like the 2nd gen trucks, that o-ring provides just enough of a snug fit to keep the filter in place. I would be surprised if the new filter stayed in place without an o-ring.

OP @gForceDude filters and gaskets are cheap enough I would replace both. For the gasket I would recommend OEM. The generic one that came with my filter 'kit' was noticeably thinner and stiffer rubber.

 

I have never dropped the pan on my Taco. But I will say that as a general rule gaskets are considered a consumable and best practice is to always replace an old one with a new one. Probably a leftover habit from my military days, but we would never ever re-use a gasket!

 

Not replacing gaskets is probably a false economy. That WS fluid isn't cheap.

 

Replacing the gasket is determined by the type of pan gasket you have .
Obviously a cork pan gasket is for one time use . Cork pan gaskets can be had for about 3 bucks and work perfectly fine .
Then RTV silicone which is also a one time use . I try to avoid using silicone . Too messy to clean on your next service . The silicone particles fly everywhere when wire wheeling the transmission case as well as the pan gasket
The comes Farpark gaskets . Most transmissions are going this way . These are 100 % re-usable . Some farpark gaskets have a steel ring around each bolt hole to prevent the gasket from getting squashed .

Always drop your pan when servicing your transmission . This is the proper way to service a transmission .
Some guys just drain the fluid without removing the pan . New transmission fluid with super detergents scrubs all the junk off the magnets and forces that junk through your all aluminum valve body .

 

So then, they are designed to be re-used - that's certainly what they look like to me. They are a very heavy-duty rubber, with steel rings around the bolt holes, just as you described.

Thank you GearCruncher - I know that you must be a very busy guy, and yet you are still so generous with your knowledge and your expertise, taking the time to come here and share it with us

 

Mine was still very pliable and could be reused although I had already ordered a new one. I thought $30+ for a new gasket was ridiculous until I saw it wasn't old school paper or cork. It's still ridiculous but then again the cost of everything these day has me geezin. But I figure the whole trans is probably $5-6k so why not spend some money and time on proper fluid changes.

 

The BECK/ARNLEY filter kit i used came with a nice rubber(ish) gasket. And the holes were undersized so they held the pan screws. Made life a lot easier than trying to get gasket lined up while inserting the pan bolts. Some of the other kits had what looked like cork or even paper gaskets and was why I picked this one. Whole kit was like $36 which can be cheaper than just the Toyota pan gasket alone.
And i know this is a 3rd gen thread but the similar kit for yours hopefully comes with a similar gasket... And it looks like it does

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=12173025&cc=3441741&pt=8600&jsn=489

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=1271415&cc=3310144&pt=8600&jsn=423

 

I would use a new one the alternative would be sealing it back up and it is seeping or leaking. If I took my car in for this service I would want the tech to use a new one. Just tighten them back in a cross pattern slowly so the pan sits evenly down against the trans.