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Transmission fluid change problem in Subaru
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EdinAK
New User
Dec 6, 2010, 10:07 AM
Post #1 of 8
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Transmission fluid change problem in Subaru
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1998 Subaru Impreza outback sport with 162,000 miles on its 2.2 L engine with an automatic transmission. I drained the dexton II fluid out, drained overnight then refilled with new fluid. Problem: Car acts like it does not even have a transmission. Ran engine and was in park, then slowly went thru all gears - pausing at each then back to park. Then put into gear and stepped on the gas - nothing. no motion only a higher engine speed. I did not drop pan or change filter either. I did over fill thinking it would pull it down. I then drew out fluid when I fould the car would not move and thinking I had blocked air from letting fluid drain to the proper places. Can anyone let me know what is happening here? Thanks for your help/ Ed
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 6, 2010, 11:26 AM
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Re: Transmission fluid change problem in Subaru
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First thought is it's not truly filled to proper level. It really helps to measure how much came out as if hoisted at an angle more or less of the fluid would come out with the drain plugs these use. Not sure if overfilling at first could cause a problem but might have brought out a weak link and hurt it??
Why did you do just what you did and not the filter which should just be an easy screw on filter?
T
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EdinAK
New User
Dec 6, 2010, 4:09 PM
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Re: Transmission fluid change problem in Subaru
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Thanks for the comeback - I used my Hayne's manual # 89100 that covers this car. I can't find anything out about a filter for it. It's not mentioned in the car's owners manual either. Am I to assume there is a type of filter behind the squarish auto-trans. oil pan where the drain plug lives? I read another thread here at this web site and they tipped up on one side as to put in fluid by using drain plug to get some fluid back in as they thought their fill pipe was clogged. I put a tube down mine to draw excess fluid out and its not clogged but that trick might help. Kind of wished I had left it alone - only thought that it can't hurt to replace the old stuff _ Boy was I wrong or what?
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Dec 6, 2010, 5:19 PM
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Re: Transmission fluid change problem in Subaru Impreza 2.2
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OK - you are right if a parts look up was right. Filter kit should look like this and require taking pan down........
I retired about the time this was new and it was a Forester AWD I think about that year that did use what looks just like a common oil filter for trans fluid.
I apologize for that mistake. I don't buy pro edition manuals anymore for a long time now just look up parts and have a good clue how things work.
Hey - what you read on a clogged fill pipe had to be a nasty problem. Haynes manuals. The paper book ones that are cheap do lack IMO in details. It costs a fortune for pro edition stuff.
Not sure what the dipstick on this is exactly. IDK if it's possible for it to hit the filter shown above and shouldn't be able to!
The generic concept of that type shown above uses a rubber seal and tube and bolts up or some may use a bail like a canning jar but doubt it with this. If that seal has let go the filter is picking up fluid from the bottom of pan or real close and could just be sucking air above the fluid level by bad luck right now and wouldn't build up pressure to circulate fluid and it's fluid under pressure that actuate the bands and clutches for auto transmissions to operate. I'm having trouble believing you have wrecked this trans just yet. Even what I think was just short time overfilled IMO is unlikely to wreck it as you caught that and corrected it.
Most auto transmissions if you just drain from pan or plug will only let out about 1/3 of total capacity but IMO 1/3 new shouldn't hurt if approved fluid for the car right away like that! IMO 1/3 at least gets some fresh in there without harm if just a routine maintenance thing. If trying to cure something changing out fluid will either help or finish off a weak/worn trans.
For now I suggest taking the pan down and a new filter and seal as it's not that expensive (25-30 bucks + new fluid) just to know filter is in place, seal is new and gives you the chance to clean bottom of pan which can normally have some grey mud from normal wear. If VERY excessive or lots of metal filings that's a bad sign as is burnt fluid.
Notes: Pan is probably a cast alloy on this. Bolts should stick in place to new gasket to hold in place for re-installation. Doubt it but if a stamped sheet metal type pan you need to check with a straight edge that pan bolts haven't distorted the pan. If so bring that up and I'll tell you how to correct that.
IMO your intentions were fine - just something funky happened and does for no reason sometimes.
Some wild crap has happened to me over many years of this crap. Fixed an exhaust hanger on a common car that I stocked some parts new and used for. Was an in law and went to move car out of shop all done and it didn't have spark! Say what? Ign module just up and blew on it's distributor and we were no where near there. Stuff happens. It's rare but folks sometimes think we do things on purpose to make more work - NOT. Had a good used one for that whacked issue which was easy and didn't even charge to replace it.
Your call but if this was mine I'd drop the pan and put in the filter and new gasket. Don't re-use the fluid and do clean the inside of the pan and scrape of any gasket material that stuck - some come off whole and clean. Good luck,
T
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EdinAK
New User
Dec 6, 2010, 7:58 PM
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Re: Transmission fluid change problem in Subaru Impreza 2.2
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WOW - Thanks Tom - super help for me. Called NAPA Parts store and they had it here in stock in Ketchikan, Alaska. Got it and will clean up the pan and install the new filter unit first thing after breakfast in the morning. That should take care of my problem - thanks again / Ed
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 7, 2010, 4:50 AM
Post #6 of 8
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Re: Transmission fluid change problem in Subaru Impreza 2.2
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Cross your fingers - it a reasonably cheap maybe that, that will do it before getting real expensive.
Good luck,
T
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EdinAK
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Dec 7, 2010, 12:33 PM
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Re: Transmission fluid change problem in Subaru Impreza 2.2
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Well... you know how things go...The last guy working on the Trans. before we bought the '98 impreza used in 2004 just had to not use a gasket but some kind of pliable red goop. After its years of baking on I will somehow have to use a chisel . I hope the pan survives the beating and I hope I can get to changing the much needed filter. It will take hours on that pan but I guess I have the time...Wish me luck
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Dec 7, 2010, 1:16 PM
Post #8 of 8
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Re: Transmission fluid change problem in Subaru Impreza 2.2
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Don't blame the shop. Many gaskets have been replaced with silicone instead.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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