Question as to the original issue with the SVX auto

[mid-knight]

Hay guys,
Can you tell me what the original issue was with the SVX transmission as to why it failed religiously, I do remember something about the filter and placement of it I believe and material deposits though out.
The reason Im asking is, Im thinking of perusing a very low mileage svx with less than 50k on it, if there is something I can do to prevent the known problem from taking place, it would be great.
Im aware of the heat issue/concerns, the cooler is a definite.

[RSVX]

I know you said you were aware... but here we go anyway.

Heat.

Add an external transmission cooler either inline or paralell to the stock cooler. You could also take the stock cooler out of the situation all together.

Also, make sure if you buy tires, that you buy 4, not 2. I learned that one the hard way.

[mid-knight]

Thanks, I thought there was more involved in this other than that dealing with the filter and oil supply and or deposits contaminating the trans...thanks again boss.

[TomsSVX]

Couple reasons to explain Chris' statement.

1. Screens in the cooler lines in the radiator tend to get blocked and stop or limit flow.
-Screens were removed in later model and replacement radiators

2. Internal filters clog and impede flow and line pressure.
- Needs to be replaced or cleaned ever 50,000 miles

3. Lack of proper oiling to the high clutch causes wear and heat.
- Cases were modified along with shaft seals to reduce this problem

4. Low gear ratio reduces oil pump revolutions, with low line pressure due to a leaking(internally) pump gasket can cause excess heat.
- New oil pump gaskets were designed to reduce failures and maintain proper line pressure.

these were the problems and fixes, BUT it still suffers from heat due to power/weight ratio against a very low FD and 4th gear ratio. SO if it is a 92, replace the radiator, add an inline filter and cooler and hope for the best Also change out the internal filter and run a good synthetic ATF.

Tom

[kwren]

A previous thread said not a good thing to mix origional transmission fluid with synthetic fluid. Also said can't get the old fluid out of the torque converter.
How can I change to "a good synthetic fluid" if that is the case???

I would really like to do this

Keith

[TomsSVX]

no its not good to mix it. But there is no easy way to drain it all... SO, drain the pan. Drop the pan. Pull the crossover line down and let it bleed for at least 2 hrs... Might as well pull the internal filter at this point too. After it stopped dripping... Replace the filter with a new one. Replace the cross-over line. New pan gasket and re-install the pan. Plug it. Fill with 6-8quarts... Start the car... Top-off accordingly.

Tom

[kwren]

ty...................

[RSVX]

Thanks Tom, I was hoping you would...

[kwren]

My transmission has about 1,000 miles on it from subaru.
Is there a way to run the car and take a hose loose, maybe at the filter and pump the fluid out after draining the pan and refilling the system with synthetic? Would it also flush out the torque converter as it pumped in the new synthetic fluid?
Not sure how this would work but the cross over tube got me to wondering. Naturally, this would require keeping pouring fluid in all the time to keep it in the system.

There are companies that would "change" the fluid but does their way also replace the fluid in the torque converter?

Thanks,
Keith

[TomsSVX]

Originally Posted by kwren

My transmission has about 1,000 miles on it from subaru.
Is there a way to run the car and take a hose loose, maybe at the filter and pump the fluid out after draining the pan and refilling the system with synthetic? Would it also flush out the torque converter as it pumped in the new synthetic fluid?
Not sure how this would work but the cross over tube got me to wondering. Naturally, this would require keeping pouring fluid in all the time to keep it in the system.

There are companies that would "change" the fluid but does their way also replace the fluid in the torque converter?

Thanks,
Keith

Like I said there is no "simple" way to do it... OT once suggested to get a 50 gallon barrel about 2ft above the car... Take off the outgoing line from the radiator... start the car and let the old fluid run out the bottom while the barrel filled with new oil fills through the Inlet line... This takes some ingenuity and a lot of oil which costs $10 per quart...

So the best way IMHO is the procedure which I have already described. Say in about 7000 miles... do it again and you should have most of the old fluid out of the trans

Tom