Learned something new today

[svxcess]

Today I was on the phone with a couple of knowledgeable people at the Technical and Performance Division of SOA (a part of the TechLine). These are the same group that reviewed and approved my alternator wiring modification.


Seems there were two differently designed transmission pans for our cars.

The original pan, PN 31390AA030, was designed to be used with the transmission pan gasket. Used by the factory from the beginning of production of the 92's until about 5/1995.

From mid-1995 until the end of production, Subaru started using RTV sealant from the factory instead of the gasket. The tranny pan was slightly redesigned to accommodate this. That part number is 31390AA060

Don't have the exact VIN for the changeover.




I pursued this because svxfiles was going to drop the pan on my 96 Polo to change the internal ATF filter screen and told be someone had already dropped the pan, because it had RTV sealant instead of a gasket.

I told him I bought the car with 42,000 miles and that I have complete records of every service ever done since delivery (with 24 miles) to the original owner, and that nothing was ever done to the transmission. My Mfg. date was 11/1995. This now makes sense and clears up the mystery.


Using a older pan with RTV may not be a problem, but using the newer pan with just a gasket could cause leakage. Svxfiles talked about the gray and red sealant the Subaru uses. I will try and find out if they know what color was used from the factory.


Can any of the OBDII owners confirm this? If your tranny pan has never been dropped, it should have RTV sealant. My pan has never been off and has never leaked a drop. This information may be of use if you ever need a new pan.
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