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Subaru Legacy/Outback Transmission Problems

580 messages,  Last post on May 14, 2013 at 12:13 PM

You are in the Subaru Legacy & Outback Forum.

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


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Messages Page 43 of 59

#418 of 580 1992 Subaru Legacy FWD Automatic Transaxel Leak by pupparent

Jun 24, 2010 (3:10 pm)

My transmission is leaking really, really bad. I have had it towed to two different transmission repair shops.
1ST shop told me they would need to drop the trans. in order to make a diagnosis.
They also told me that my car would not go into first gear.
When the guy told me this my response was " you didn't drive it without transmission fluid in it did you, remember that is why I had it TOWED, because it is leaking really, really bad?"
His reply was a pause.
I got scared and told him to hold off and I would call him back in a few minutes.
So the next day I called the 2ND shop to try to compare prices using the info from shop #1.
Shop #2 made me feel more confident in them so I had car towed from shop 1 to shop 2.
Shop 2 told me well no wonder shop 1 said it wouldn't go into 1ST gear, it was four quarts low in fluid. Shop 2 put fluid in and it shifts fine.
But...
my transmission would not leak for shop 2.
They tried but couldn't get it to leak, so I picked it up and drove it home and there was no leak.
Now about 100 miles later it is leaking like it was before.
It appears to only be leaking when it is turned on.
A constant drip.
The trail going down the road into my driveway has the drops spaced about 3/4 of an inch apart.
The filter and pan gasket had been replaced but that didn't change anything.
Any help/suggestions/ideas/comments are appreciated.

#419 of 580 Re: 1992 Subaru Legacy FWD Automatic Transaxel Leak [pupparent] by xwesx

Jun 24, 2010 (5:07 pm)

Replying to: pupparent (Jun 24, 2010 3:10 pm)
Can you tell from what area of the housing the leak is coming? That might tell us something. If the transmission is otherwise working fine, then it is likely a housing seal or gasket that has given out. The problem is that there are several of them....

#420 of 580 Re: 1992 Subaru Legacy FWD Automatic Transaxel Leak [xwesx] by pupparent

Jun 26, 2010 (12:29 am)

Replying to: xwesx (Jun 24, 2010 5:07 pm)
The drips are dripping off of the two bolts at the lower rear area of the differential where the differential and trans. meet together. Right in the front center of the trans. oil pan.
The two bolts are tight so I think the leak is coming from somewhere up above them.
I'm not sure what is up there that would leak and my Haynes manual doesn't show any pics.
I don't think that the gasket between the diff. and the trans. is leaking unless it is doing so from the top where I can't see it.
If it is this gasket, appx. how much is too much to pay to have it replaced?
Is this kind of gasket replacement something that can be done at home or is it best left to a trans. repair shop?
I mentioned before that it appears to only leak when the vehicle is running, I just want to add to this that it starts dripping as soon as the car starts. It doesn't need any time to warm up or anything.

#421 of 580 Re: 1992 Subaru Legacy FWD Automatic Transaxel Leak [pupparent] by xwesx

Jun 28, 2010 (11:54 am)

Replying to: pupparent (Jun 26, 2010 12:29 am)
I just want to add to this that it starts dripping as soon as the car starts. It doesn't need any time to warm up or anything.
 
That is not too surprising, given that an automatic transmission works through hydraulic pressure. As soon as the engine is running, the system pressurizes. I would have to be more familiar with the way that housing is put together to be of any more use to you. If it is coming from the gasket area, that means the center/front differential is a sealed unit with the transmission housing attaching to the back of i, with automatic transmission fluid being in direct contact with the gasket area. If it is a single gasket, replacing it would involve fully separating the two units, probably after removing the entire transaxle from the car.
 
The leak may be varying in its intensity as result of small debris in the lubricant partially blocking it from time to time. Again, I am only speculating.
 
A member with the handle "girlcarbuilder" may be able to provide you with good advice on this one.

#422 of 580 Re: 98 Subaru Legacy - Wheels binding in turns [xwesx] by pj43

Jul 03, 2010 (5:24 am)

Replying to: xwesx (Jun 21, 2010 9:56 am)
Re: I have a 97 and the light blinks 16 times, and binds in reverse a full turn.
its not affected in forward. A mechanic told me its the sellanoids, there is 3 in the valve body, electrical problem, not uncommon. Can fix by pulling the pan down.
Your input is greatly appreciated.

#423 of 580 Re: 98 Subaru Legacy - Wheels binding in turns [pj43] by jbjjc9

Jul 03, 2010 (7:57 am)

Replying to: pj43 (Jul 03, 2010 5:24 am)
Hi, I found the binding is the clutch packs located in the extension housing at the rear of the tranny and the blinking light is telling you an electrical fault occurred the last time you ran the car. That is probably the duty C solenoid which operates the clutch pack and is located in the extension housing as well, not at the tranny pan. I just had mine replaced 2 days ago for $550 and the car works fine. Check out these photos and you will see the clutch pack lying down and the solenoid mounted just to the right with wires coming out. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/All_talk/Subaru/4EAT/Image007.jpg I hope this helps.

#424 of 580 Re: 98 Subaru Legacy - Wheels binding in turns [jbjjc9] by xwesx

Jul 07, 2010 (11:24 am)

Replying to: jbjjc9 (Jul 03, 2010 7:57 am)
Very nice. Thanks for sharing; those photos are excellent. It looks like you did much more than just the center differential clutch pack and solenoid. Would you mind elaborating on the work for our benefit? Also, it looks like a few of the replacement parts (such as what looks like an internal drive shaft between the front and center differentials) are not the same between original and new. Did the new ones still work?

#425 of 580 auto is leaking really, really bad by cosmic007

Jul 11, 2010 (11:53 pm)

it is leaking out of the breather in the front diff it is a 1994 legacy can someone help me asap

#426 of 580 Re: auto is leaking really, really bad [cosmic007] by xwesx

Jul 13, 2010 (10:33 am)

Replying to: cosmic007 (Jul 11, 2010 11:53 pm)
What kind of fluid is it leaking? Gear oil or automatic transmission fluid? If it is ATF, there is a good chance that the internal driveshaft seal to the front differential blew.

#427 of 580 1992 Subaru Legacy FWD Automatic Transaxel Leak by pupparent

Jul 21, 2010 (7:11 pm)

1992 Subaru Legacy , FWD, Automatic Trans.,
I have a leak from the Gasket that goes in between the Transmission and the Differential.
Appx. what kind of price should I be expecting a transmission shop to charge to have this gasket replaced?
Could there be a reason why this gasket would have started leaking, besides it probably being the same age as the car?
Any info. provided is appreciated, I really need my car fixed but I don't want to get taken advantage of or be screwed over.
Thank You Everybody and Anybody!

Messages Page 43 of 59

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