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1998 Subaru Legacy Outback Limited 2.5L
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shartinez
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Feb 4, 2009, 7:31 AM
Post #1 of 5
(9141 views)
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1998 Subaru Legacy Outback Limited 2.5L
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1998 Subaru, Legacy Outback, Limited edition, automatic, 2.5l @ 147,000 miles, which had a blown engine when I purchased it. My mechanic put in an barely used engine with 45,000 miles and 1 year warranty into it, which I bought online, and had delivered to him at his shop. Leaked oil like a sieve when I got it back from him.
So... I got a new mechanic who then replaced the head gasket and cam seals, put in a new radiator and passenger transaxle. After I had put the new engine in the weather got cold. I noticed it started to have a hard time shifting into 1st, so I took it back to the new mechanic. He said for the price I would pay to fix the shifting issue I may as well put a new tranny in it, which I decided against, for now.
This morning I walked out to start it and there is a three foot circle of clearish, dirtyish, oily something under the car, which after I looked under the car I saw it dripping from the middle to the right of the oil pan. I stuck a pan under it, came inside to call the mechanic who said it did have a differential leak which was part of the transmission stuff he doesn't deal with. To me, this is not a small leak and I was afraid to drive it because of a)leaking fluid all over and/or b) causing even more damage by drying out something.
Now, I'm not sure what to do next? I thought differentials leaked thick stuff, not thin-get-all-over-the-driveway-stuff. Basically I don't know if it's transaxle boot leaks, or differential leaks, or transmission leaks or what? And if so what order can I fix them without having to replace the tranny?
(This post was edited by shartinez on Feb 4, 2009, 8:58 AM)
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zmame
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/ Moderator
Feb 4, 2009, 3:41 PM
Post #2 of 5
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Re: 1998 Subaru Legacy Outback Limited 2.5L
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Did you just have your oil changed?? clean oil would look clearish on the ground
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Loren Champlain Sr
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Feb 4, 2009, 4:40 PM
Post #3 of 5
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Re: 1998 Subaru Legacy Outback Limited 2.5L
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Having a shifting problem, a transaxle leak, and now a puddle of 'fluid', I'd recommend that you take to a REPUTABLE transmission shop for inspection. Check with friends, enemies, aquaintences, and the BBB about shops in the area. Personally, I'd stay away from the 'chain' stores. Transmission fluid has a 'pinkish' tint to it, but mixed with grease as it runs down, can appear dark. If this fluid is clear, could be power steering or brake fluid, but with the symptoms, sounds like it may be tied to the transmission. You mentioned that it had a 'hard time shifting into first'? Then, stated that this was an automatic? Could you clerify, please?
Loren
SW Washington
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shartinez
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Feb 5, 2009, 4:38 AM
Post #4 of 5
(9114 views)
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Re: 1998 Subaru Legacy Outback Limited 2.5L
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Nope, I didn't just have the oil changed and yes it is an automatic. (P,D,3,2,1,R to my right, not on the steering column, not sure about an OD-I'd have to go look).
If I don't let it warm up a good bit in P (30 minutes or so), when I shift into D it drives, but rev's up like crazy for about 5-10 minutes while driving cold (the tach goes way up into the red) (seems like it doesn't want to shift from first gear, but I don't feel or hear anything after that first one- so I assume it's not having any probs with the other gears?), finally shifting (lurching) to the next gear at around 30-35 mph, (though I usually pull over and sit for a while if it does that, then try it again after another 10 minutes or so).
The current mechanic put some sort of special tranny fluid additive (seemed really thick to me) into it, thinking it would help (it did seem to, a bit). Anyway it doesn't do it when the temp is above 50 degrees. I'll check the oil spot underneath when I get home from work, to see if it has a pinkish tinge...
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Loren Champlain Sr
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Feb 5, 2009, 2:30 PM
Post #5 of 5
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Re: 1998 Subaru Legacy Outback Limited 2.5L
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Okay; First, you should be seeing a Check Engine light illuminated. The transmission shifting is computer controlled. Sounds like a shift solenoid problem. Again, find a reputable trans. shop and have it diagnosed. I, personally, don't like any kind of 'additives'. "If it aint working, fix it, don't dump "stuff" into it trying to mask a problem." There's a lot of 'snake oil' out there. Some may be okay, but most of it is just that, snake oil.
Loren
SW Washington
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