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Subaru Legacy/Outback Wagons Maintenance & Repair

8642 messages,  Last post on May 20, 2013 at 10:18 PM

You are in the Subaru Legacy & Outback Forum.

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

Messages Page 671 of 865

#6700 of 8642 Re: 2007 Outback - what fluid leaked? --It's ATF by vinnie07

Jan 30, 2007 (3:20 pm)

Replying to: mouseceo (Dec 28, 2006 5:32 pm)
Hi. We purchased an 07 Outback too. I noticed same thing as you with drips on driveway after car sat overnight and was started up next day. Fluid was pink when I caught it on a tin tray, though would turn yellowish after a few hours in the open air. Smelled and looked like ATF to me. Dealer diagnosed as leaking transmission cooler line, at a hose clamp near the steering column. So yes the drip was near the steering area, but NO it wasn't power steering fluid in our case and I suspect in your case too. This all happened a month ago. Now just yesterday I noticed more drips, this time from under radiator area at left front of car. I looked under there to see pink fluid leaking from the forward end of a transmission cooler line, at the clamp where the rubber hose attaches to the cooler unit. So this is the second OEM clamp that is not tight enough. These clamps are the spring loaded non adjustable type so the solution is to remove the clamp and replace with an aftermarket adjustable hose clamp and tighten moderately (not too tight). I refused to do another dealer drop off for this, as the last time they had the car they scratched it slightly and over filled ALL the fluids ("for good measure" hah!)
 
I have to wonder what is going on at the factory with these clamps/hoses. Perhaps the supplier of one or the other was changed and either the hose got skinnier or the clamp tension got looser. I hope all the clamps on this car don't start leaking!
 
As far as getting the correct ATF level to keep this brand new transmission happy ...I need to start a new thread for that.

#6701 of 8642 Looking for tips on ATF level checking and type to use by vinnie07

Jan 30, 2007 (4:32 pm)

Hi all. I've noticed extreme variability of the ATF level on the dipstick depending on how much the car is driven/warmed up. Given that it's winter in New England and cold (say 25 or 30 degrees) I don't think the standard advice of "drive the car a few miles to warm it up, then shift through all gears and leave it in park, let idle a bit and check level while idling" is sufficient. Short of measuring actual ATF temperature (via an OBD II CAN BUS tester that works with the 2007 Outback--which I don't possess) is there a better rule of thumb on how warm the car should be? I'm just afraid that I might be way off the mark. What I see is: If I drive the car 3 miles "around the block" ONCE I get a level reading of half way between Cold Full and Hot Low. Drive around block SECOND time and level reads half way between Hot Low and Hot Full. Drive around the block a THIRD time and level reads slightly above Hot Full. How can us mere mortals decide? And if I end up putting too much in there
will it harm the transmission or just overflow out the dipstick tube harmlessly?
 
And does anyone know how to obtain the OEM fluid? I asked at my dealer and was told that they use it out of 50 gallon drums and it's not for sale to customers. He said to just use Dextron II, but I don't want to use second best, nor do I want to mix non OEM with OEM fluid.
 
Thanks.
Vinnie

#6702 of 8642 Re: Looking for tips on ATF level checking and type to use [vinnie07] by paisan

Jan 30, 2007 (4:41 pm)

Replying to: vinnie07 (Jan 30, 2007 4:32 pm)
I would make sure it's good and hot, like 5-10 miles. As for what fluid, check the manual, it will tell you which type to use. My Nissan Armada requires Nissan Type J, which you can only get at the dealer. I heard the 06 Forester takes OEM Subaru Type J which is obtainable at the dealer.
 
If your dealer doesn't stock it try a different dealer.
 
-mike

#6703 of 8642 Re: Looking for tips on ATF level checking and type to use [paisan] by xwesx

Jan 30, 2007 (5:58 pm)

Replying to: paisan (Jan 30, 2007 4:41 pm)
I agree - if you are checking it based on the "hot full" mark, then make sure it is hot, and 10 miles or more will get it there - especially in those "warm" temperatures down in New England! Heck, 10 miles would warm it up even at -30F.
 
Oh, and this is from the owner's manual:
 
Use one of the following types of automatic transmission fluid:
 
Genuine Subaru Automatic Transmission Fluid Type-HP
IDEMITSU ATF HP
Castrol Transmax J
Pennzoil ATF-J*
 
* Available only in the USA (except Alaska and Hawaii)
 
5-speed Auto - only use fluids specified above.
For 4-speed Auto Trans:
 
"If the recommended automatic transmission fluid is unavailable, Dexron III may be temporarily used. If the Dexron III is used continuously there will be a noticeable increase in the vibration and noise from the automatic transmission."

#6704 of 8642 Re: Looking for tips on ATF level checking and type to use [xwesx] by paisan

Jan 30, 2007 (6:08 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Jan 30, 2007 5:58 pm)
Interesting, it looks like most of the newer generation Japanese transmissions are requiring TypeJ. I wonder what's in this stuff???
 
-mike

#6705 of 8642 Re: Looking for tips on ATF level checking and type to use [paisan] by xwesx

Jan 30, 2007 (6:31 pm)

Replying to: paisan (Jan 30, 2007 6:08 pm)
*edit* should have mentioned that the above information is on page 11-23 of the 2007 Legacy/Outback owner's manual.
 
Mike, I wonder that as well. The older transmissions called for Dexron III. I have a feeling, though, that the Subaru OEM type HP is actually "IDEMITSU ATF HP."

#6706 of 8642 Re: Looking for tips on ATF level checking and type to use [xwesx] by paisan

Jan 30, 2007 (6:38 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Jan 30, 2007 6:31 pm)
Probably correct. I guess with all the extra gears and tighter tollerances in the ATs they are requiring different fluids. I really wanted to put synthetic in mine but I don't want to risk the warranty on it. I forget now who makes the Nissan and Subaru trannies but they are made by the same Japanese company.
 
-mike

#6707 of 8642 Re: Looking for tips on ATF level checking and type to use [paisan] by xwesx

Jan 31, 2007 (1:21 pm)

Replying to: paisan (Jan 30, 2007 6:38 pm)
I am fairly sure it is Jatco, but do not hold me to it!

#6708 of 8642 Re: Looking for tips on ATF level checking and type to use [xwesx] by paisan

Jan 31, 2007 (2:30 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Jan 31, 2007 1:21 pm)
Yup that's it, I couldn't recall the brand name.
 
-mike

#6709 of 8642 Re: Looking for tips on ATF level checking and type to use [xwesx] by ateixeira

Feb 01, 2007 (8:26 am)

Replying to: xwesx (Jan 31, 2007 1:21 pm)
Japanese Automatic Transmission COmpany.
 
They're good. Mazda switched to those when the MPV went to a 5 speed auto and reliability improved on the trannies.
 
-juice

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