Transmission oil pump gasket upgrade question

Mr. Claret · #1 09-13-2010, 03:12 PM

Getting into my car this morning and after its warm up (tach drop below 1k is my warmup) I put it into reverse there was barely enough movement to back out of my driveway. With my knowledge base and some research I think it might be the transmission oil pump gasket as the car is dated 04/91. In 94 there was an upgraded gasket used to replace gaskets in cars with a tranny number below 513102.

I have not checked the number of my transmission but have noticed there is a tranny filter mounted ontop of the LH front tow hook so someone has done some upgrade work. Looks like the filter has been there quite a while maybe it was updated as recommended along with the gasket on that tsb in 94.

I suppose my question is directed to those who have experienced failure of the original transmission oil pump gasket.

Lately I have had a lot of oil on my front catalytic converters creating smoke after decently hard driving. I am assuming this could be the area the gasket is located which would be causing fluid to leak down onto the cats. I have not had my car in the air on a lift to check this but will within next couple dayz.

I have owned it about two months. The car has overheated 3 times since I have had it, only because of me jumping fan relay or and blowing fuses or forgetting to insert the fuse.. aside from that I have only experienced slight slipping in 3rd gear while driving it in 3rd around town under 45mph as i did with my claret when the tranny was slipping more. I stopped doing that as it seemed to shift less harsh if in (D)rive. Also I just installed a B&M transmission fluid cooler. It is a good install.

The question:

If reverse worked just fine last night and doesn't work well now (but slightly), could the transmission oil pump gasket cause this and fluid to be dropping down to the exhaust creating smoke?

Any help from anyone on this is greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Sonny

TomsSVX · #2 09-13-2010, 04:48 PM

First off, check the level. The lines from the trans to the cooler assym could be beginning to leak in the area you have discussed. As far as I know the gaskets leaked internally and there was a drop in line pressure but no visible leak. To change the oil pump gasket, the transmission needs to be taken out of the car and mostly disassembled to gain access to the gasket. Not really something I would do to a trans that may or may not be on its way out already... Just sayin. Keep your eye on the level of the fluid before you make any decisions

Tom

Mr. Claret · #3 09-14-2010, 12:03 PM

Tom thanks for the quick reply.

the fluid levels check out. It works a small amount better when i unplug the tranny resistor. I am goin to try not to drive it until I know what the problem is.

I need to mention my transmission number is in the 28000s and the motor is very clean ontop as well as the tranny. I got it on a lift last night and the only line that looks to be leakin is on the left hand side near the top of the transmission also connecting toward the front of the tranny near the . It doesn't appear to be spraying out by anymeans, just a gradual leak it appears. It looks like the PS may also be leaking, that might be causing the mess altough fluid level is proper and it also uses atf.

Is there any way to diagnose the internal leaking oil pump gasket other than a pressure test?

Also this may be a dumb question but if the warranty work was never done per the tsb, do any manufacturers, in this case subaru, still repair factory problems under the tsb?

TomsSVX · #4 09-14-2010, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Claret

Tom thanks for the quick reply.

the fluid levels check out. It works a small amount better when i unplug the tranny resistor. I am goin to try not to drive it until I know what the problem is.

I need to mention my transmission number is in the 28000s and the motor is very clean ontop as well as the tranny. I got it on a lift last night and the only line that looks to be leakin is on the left hand side near the top of the transmission also connecting toward the front of the tranny near the . It doesn't appear to be spraying out by anymeans, just a gradual leak it appears. It looks like the PS may also be leaking, that might be causing the mess altough fluid level is proper and it also uses atf.

Is there any way to diagnose the internal leaking oil pump gasket other than a pressure test?

Also this may be a dumb question but if the warranty work was never done per the tsb, do any manufacturers, in this case subaru, still repair factory problems under the tsb?

28,000 miles???

Sounds like the line pressure in the trans is less than ideal. Get a line pressure test done to see what it is cold and at running temp

Tom

Mr. Claret · #5 09-15-2010, 02:11 PM

No Tom, though i wish that was the case. Actually opposite on the awesomeness scale. It is number 28xxx off the line; so bad..

Anyways I started it cold and it backed up fairly fine but anywhere near warm no go or close to. Not that I am tryin to back up on slipping gears but i had to move it that time. I will try to pull in to the AET shop at school today after class.

If someone can tell me where to hook to test line pressure in next hour or so, thanks in advance.

NiftySVX · #6 09-15-2010, 07:54 PM

There are two ports recessed into the iron pump housing on the driver's side. I believe it is the top one. There is a small rubber tube that is on the pump housing that is a drain pipe for the converter. This is internal to the transIf it is left out the converter will take a long time to fill and it will drain quickly. A small delay is normal while the coverter fills with fluid. It should not be noticeable, unless you're just really fast at starting and getting it into gear.