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Subaru Legacy/Outback Wagons Maintenance & Repair

8644 messages,  Last post on May 22, 2013 at 4:04 PM

You are in the Subaru Legacy & Outback Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback, Wagon

Messages Page 253 of 866

#2512 of 8644 Piston slap corrected by gearhead4

Jan 21, 2004 (10:44 am)

approximately 6 weeks ago, I posted a note regarding a piston slap problem on my 2003 Legacy.
 
I took the wagon in to my local Subaru dealer who stated that SOA suggested replacing pistons #2 and #4.
 
The pistons were replaced last week, and I am pleased to report that there is no more unusual noise at cold start up (here in Chicago, we have experienced some very cold mornings).
 
Jim w

#2513 of 8644 Trans failure and fire by gearhead4

Jan 21, 2004 (10:50 am)

The only thing that makes sense to me is a ruptured transmission fluid cooling line spraying trans fluid against the hot catalytic converter.
 
What I don't understand is, how could the transmission fail and yet you would still be driving. Did the state trooper see you stalled on the side of the road?
 
Jim W.

#2514 of 8644 Jim by c_hunter

Jan 21, 2004 (11:20 am)

That's a good theory too. It would have to be an add-on cooler, since they are not standard equipment. If that was involved, it's definitely a suspect. Could have been leaking, which would eventually cause the transmission to malfunction.
 
Anybody know the combustion characteristics of auto transmission fluid? Will it flame up or just smoke?
 
Craig

#2515 of 8644 by ateixeira

Jan 21, 2004 (11:48 am)

There isn't a tranny cooler, but auto Foresters at least do have engine oil coolers.
 
Any how, we're just taking stabs at it, the dealer should be able to tell what's wrong given it didn't burn completely.
 
-juice

#2516 of 8644 No tranny cooler on Subaru? by fibber2

Jan 21, 2004 (12:18 pm)

Most automatics have a small cooler buried in the radiator, with 1/4 to 5/16 steel and rubber lines running between them. But I have never looked on my OB to see it this standard practice is indeed used.
 
Steve

#2517 of 8644 Outback Fire by wpgilbe

Jan 21, 2004 (12:46 pm)

The car drove fine for 8 miles until this occurred. From the time that the trooper passed me and he says that he saw flames, I drove another 1/4 of a mile and the transmission seemed fine - I did not hear any mechanical failure. At that point, I turned. Coming out of the turn and accelerating, the engine revved high (like in neutral) and the transmission began to engage and disengage repeatedly. I then pulled to the side of the road simultaneous to the trooper arriving behind me. When I stopped, I noticed heavy smoke coming through the dash and air vents. The trooper told me that when we passed in the road, there were significant flames underneath my car. I have since requested more detail from him in a report, but I have not yet received it. The car had leaked transmission fluid, as evidenced by the splash of it all over the rear of the car.
 
I have a case # with Subaru America, and after much fighting with them, they have provided me with a rental car while they assess my car. The dealership has been a disappointment in their handling of this. Subaru is telling me now that there was no evidence of road debris or puncture and that it was possibly a seal failure and almost definitely a manufacturers issue. I will point out that this car sat in my driveway only 10 minutes earlier and there was no evidence of fluid leak on the driveway, which leads me to suspect catastrophic failure of a seal if that was indeed the case. Nevertheless, the car has never been serviced and is completely OEM.

#2518 of 8644 Patrick? by subaru_team

Jan 21, 2004 (3:36 pm)

Hi. I think I'm aware of your case but I have a different name on the file. Please be assured that all of the appropriate folks are involved. I'm sure they will do their best to resolve this situation to your satisfaction.
 
Patti

#2519 of 8644 North West: Tire Chains and AWD auto transmission? by squeezedlemon

Jan 21, 2004 (3:38 pm)

I am looking for advice as to whether it is advisable to use tire chains on my 96 Legacy Outback as an alternative to Nokian WR2 4 season tires or snow tires. I would rather get a set of all-season tires like Michelin Hydroedge and use chains occasionally. I expect to be living in Portland, OR and as I am not a skier and I expect to only occasional encounter extreme conditions in the foothills and mountains of the North West. My concern is that the car has 140 K and while the tranny has been working fine I don't want to push it over the edge. Any experience or opinions out there on this?
 
My reluctance to go with the Nokians stems from the fact that I have found that they have few if any dealers to service a warranty issue in the South and SW where I will be traveling in a month or so. Any experience with this manufacturer?
 
Regards,
 
Matt

#2520 of 8644 Hey Matt! by subaru_team

Jan 21, 2004 (4:13 pm)

Insert appropriate corporate disclaimer here (not that we "recommend" these blah, blah)
 
We've heard good things about the following company and their Z-Chains. They claim to work well on the Outback and we haven't heard any complaints about them. The company is SCC Tire Chain Company. They can be found at SCC-Chain.com
 
That's if you want to go with chains vs. snows. I hope this helps!
 
Patti

#2521 of 8644 Patty, re: SCC Tire chains by squeezedlemon

Jan 22, 2004 (1:31 am)

Does the '96 LOB meet S.A.E. Class "S" clearance requirements? If not what requirement does it meet? Thanks.
 
Matt

Messages Page 253 of 866

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