Sudden engine & tranny issues

[Maxo]

Hey all,
I was recently on a 250mi drive but felt it necessary to turn back due to the strange behavior my engine and transmission are having.
During my drive, which was virtually all highway @ 55mph, I first noticed a lack of power and that my rpm would shoot up to 4k if I stepped on the gas abruptly, but only if I was in cruising in "D". After letting up on the gas the rpm would drop right to its normal range for that speed
When at a stop light with it in gear the entire car would rumble. I pulled into a parking lot and put it in park. Looking at the engine it appears to be running very rough. Whether in park or in drive it never got to the point where it wanted to die though it was idling at a lower rpm than usual.
I also noticed no antifreeze in the coolant reservoir. There was plenty in the rad so I filled the reservoir. I checked it again on my way home and there was no drop in the level after an hour of driving. Nevertheless I thought that was odd.

The car still starts right up and doesn't leak a drop of oil. Prior to these issues it seemed to be running great. I haven't checked for codes, the check engine light has not displayed.

Anybody have any clues as to what's going on here?

[SoCal LS-L]

My first thought would be the Throttle position sensor..... that has an effect on both the engine idle and transmission shifting. It can be tested using a multimeter.... just do a search for tps testing or someone may know the link. Best of luck!

[Maxo]

Evidently my front left coil needs to be replaced. TPS is tested ok... There is a so-called "flare" in third gear where a slight loss of fluid pressure occurs.
Any ideas on what could cause this particular loss of fluid pressure? Is this the beginning of the end for another tranny?

[SVXRide]

try adjusting the transmission's brake band first (it will help if you, or someone you know, has small hands).
-Bill

[stuartracing]

I see the adjustment nut, but what do you need to turn the stud to adjust it.....Pliers, vice grips, ect.ect.ect.....Special tool.....

[1986nate]

http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/show...and+adjustment

Click on the PDF labeled brakebandadjustmentinfo...
Definitely sounds like it may be too late for the adjustment to help for very long.

[Maxo]

Well I replaced the coil and the engine runs great again!

The transmission issue is still there though not nearly as noticeable. I'll have to take a look at the brake band one it warms up at little more.
The dealership indicated that there was a flare in 3rd but I don't notice any issues whatsoever while driving in 3. However, when cruising in drive and hitting the throttle my rpm will jump up to 4k. If I gradually apply throttle everything is fine.
I'm pretty sure it's not down shifting since if I slip it into 3rd the rpm will actually drop if I'm going ~55mph.

Guess I should start looking for a 4.44... This is my second transmission and I've done nothing but baby the damn thing

[1986nate]

Originally Posted by Maxo

Well I replaced the coil and the engine runs great again!

The transmission issue is still there though not nearly as noticeable. I'll have to take a look at the brake band one it warms up at little more.
The dealership indicated that there was a flare in 3rd but I don't notice any issues whatsoever while driving in 3. However, when cruising in drive and hitting the throttle my rpm will jump up to 4k. If I gradually apply throttle everything is fine.
I'm pretty sure it's not down shifting since if I slip it into 3rd the rpm will actually drop if I'm going ~55mph.

Guess I should start looking for a 4.44... This is my second transmission and I've done nothing but baby the damn thing

Yeah, that is the characteristics of the high clutch starting to go. You can make it last longer by 1, adjusting the brake band asap and 2, only drive with the selector in "3" But surely you will be needing a transmission fairly soon

[stuartracing]

WOW, just did the brake band adjustment on my car.... Made all the difference....Shifts smoother through all gears now....What a pain to get at though....Thanks again to this site.....
P.....

[Maxo]

Originally Posted by stuartracing

WOW, just did the brake band adjustment on my car.... Made all the difference....Shifts smoother through all gears now....What a pain to get at though....Thanks again to this site.....
P.....

Were you having the same issues as I am? Did you find that the adjustment was pretty easy to do?

[stuartracing]

Originally Posted by Maxo

Were you having the same issues as I am? Did you find that the adjustment was pretty easy to do?

No it wasn`t easy to do.....You have to do it all by feel....You can`t see anything with your hands and wrenches in there.....To do it exact, you have to drop the tran.s....Snugged up the adjuster then backed it off about 12- 1/4 turns on the 8mm wrench....Need to spray some wd40,jb blaster, rust buster stuff if it looks rusted.....But worth the effort IMO....
P.....

[oab_au]

Originally Posted by stuartracing

No it wasn`t easy to do.....You have to do it all by feel....You can`t see anything with your hands and wrenches in there.....To do it exact, you have to drop the tran.s....Snugged up the adjuster then backed it off about 12 1/4 turns on the 8mm wrench....Need to spray some wd40,jb blaster, rust buster stuff if it looks rusted.....But worth the effort IMO....
P.....

Yes it can make a lot of difference, if it is done before the band gets too worn. Its a lot easier to do on a RHD car.

I think I should add for the uninformed, that the amount that you backed off the adjuster is 3 full turns in total, and not 12 and a 1/4 turns, as the link would fall out if it was backed off that much.

Harvey.

[stuartracing]

Originally Posted by oab_au

Yes it can make a lot of difference, if it is done before the band gets too worn. Its a lot easier to do on a RHD car.

I think I should add for the uninformed, that the amount that you backed off the adjuster is 3 full turns in total, and not 12 and a 1/4 turns, as the link would fall out if it was backed off that much.

Harvey.

Sorry, I meant 12 - 1/4 turns of the wrench.....Not 12 1/4 turns....I know it would have fallen out with THAT many turns, yikes.....

[1986nate]

Originally Posted by stuartracing

Sorry, I meant 12 - 1/4 turns of the wrench.....Not 12 1/4 turns....I know it would have fallen out with THAT many turns, yikes.....

Hopefully all is well for you and it lasts.

[Maxo]

Well, I'm going to give the brake band a try tomorrow but I honestly don't think it'll make much difference at this point. My rpm are rising uncharacteristically high just going from 2nd to 3rd now...