Will a dent in a transmission pan cause problems?

-2000 Dodge Durango 4.7l 45RFE 4 Spd. Automatic Transmission 4x4. The transmission functions perfectly until it gets in 4th gear, then it stays there, it won't come out until it sits and cools down for atleast an hour. I have a 4c pressure sensor error on on OBD 2 which I am almost positive is from filthy, never changed transmission fluid. I went to drop the pan to change the fluid and I see that the pan is caved in. It looks like someone smacked it with bowling ball. Will this cause problems with fluid pressure or anything? I don't want to try to bang out the bend, I'm afraid that I'll crack it, but if I need a new pan I'll give it a try. I'd really rather just not mess with it if it won't cause trouble.pull the pan off and use a rubber hammer to straighten it back out and change the tranny filter and see what happens.Welcome !



Yes please remove pan and straighten out change filter and inspect valve body plate for damage.

Master Tech Lee



http://www.fixcar1.com
Uh, 1st off there should be a skid plate to cover the trans for just such a situation, at some point it did not get reinstalled (4X4-yes). The pressures the trans builds up to 'shift' (engage a solenoid) are very high, as opposed to just a spring to push them back out. So, if your ok with dropping the pan and have a new gasket kit, then sure. If you could heat the pan (either by just operating temps=220*f or oven- yea oven) with pan up and sitting in the grass (soft ground) 'pound' away with a wooden block or rubber mallet. Fluid will be HOT! Just like any other sheet metal repair, soft backer with a semi-soft blow - fine tune on a flat surface. Good to go. Get the skid plate from a junk yard and keep your fluid changed.