Not sure if this is the right place to post this, but hopefully everyone doesn't get mad. lol I need some help if anyone has any helpful opinions.

I changed out my trans filter the other day (TL 2004 base), but my filter cover didn't come off easily. I had to pry it off after taking the 3 screws out. When I was putting the filter cover back on with the 3 screws I replaced the old O ring with a new one and lubed the cover/ring up, put the cover on as much as I could (which was not a lot, did not just plug back in)then put the 3 screws back in.
The cover did not go on easy, tried to tightened the 3 screws very little bit one by one thinking that would help to put even pressure and the cover would go on after.... WRONG I ended up BREAKING the filter cover. Did I do something wrong here in the process it seems pretty straight forward, but the only thing is that my cover didn't pop off as described.
My car currently is leaking fluids when I start it because the "Filter cover" is cracked and only 2 screws go in instead of 3 so its not flush. I ordered a new part and it will be in tomorrow afternoon. Any help or suggestions putting the piece back on? Cant drive it to a shop I'm scared the fluids will leak out or smoke when engine gets hot.
Hope you guys have some opinions. Sorry for the troubles.

 

Warm the transmission up if you can. Put the part in the freezer. It should go in fairly easy. You already got the oiling of the o-ring down.

 

Ok thank you for the quick reply.
So its ok to just let the fluid drip while im warming it up? clean it up. Put the cover in the freezer with the O ring? or without?

The other problem is that i stuffed the cover on so its hard
to come off again. Do i pry it off (cold engine) first? Or should I warm up engine... then try pry it off and do the steps you said.

Am I the only one with this problem? I feel dumb lol!!!

 

Should I have warmed the car up before taking off the cover in the first attempt? Was that why it was hard to come off?

 

It needs to come off perfectly straight. If you have to pry, pry easy and pry on opposite sides at the same time.

 

Ok I hope I didnt damage the inside of the filter housing area, did yours come off easy? Just couldnt go back on easy?

 

If i have the cover off to warm the engine will it shoot out fluids? thats the only way to warm the engine up while freezing the cover right?

Or warm it up with the cracked one on... pry it off and just work fast to put the new cover on while its still hot? how long do i keep engine on? only a little while?