'96 Transmission Death in Deleware County Pa?

[wynndi]

After a VERY, VERY long and enjoyable stretch of no mechanical problems, I pick up on a noise coming from somewhere near the firewall last night.

It's a higher pitched squeal that increases in frequency when accellerating at any speed. I was thinking power steering, but ruled it out.

Driving to work this morning, more noise but no change in performance at all.

On way home, I aim for parts store to get transmissin fluid (looks a little low but not outrageously so - no leaks either). Decided against taking I-95 "just in case" which turned out to be a really good idea when, at 30mph or so, the rpms rise and the car slows. No forward gears at all. Pull over, no reverse at all.

Car sits for 15 min as I make calls and check under hood, under car. Get in, start up, car drives ok for a half mile then loses all gears again.

Got her flatbedded to the local Subaru dealer (it was that or Pep Boys...) and await her fate.

Fluid wasn't very low, didn't stink, is 25K old, no leaks, no dummy lights, no sign of overheat.

Any ideas about what I'm in for beyond a bruised wallet?

[wynndi]

The verdict is in.

Transmission is shot. Dealer wants more than the car is worth to remove and replace with new.

Unless there is a good fresh rebuild near Philadelphia, I will probably be selling her.

Should make that decision by Monday.

She has Koni coil-overs, Stebro exhaust, leather interior, new pioneer 4200dvd with HD, Bluetooth, video bypass, strong engine, newer radiator....some pictures are in my locker.

Recent upgrades and maintenance by Tom, world-class SVX mechanic.

Scouting for a replacement SVX or Audi A8, S8.

[Sean486]

Originally Posted by wynndi

The verdict is in.

Transmission is shot. Dealer wants more than the car is worth to remove and replace with new.

Unless there is a good fresh rebuild near Philadelphia, I will probably be selling her.

Should make that decision by Monday.

She has Koni coil-overs, Stebro exhaust, leather interior, new pioneer 4200dvd with HD, Bluetooth, video bypass, strong engine, newer radiator....some pictures are in my locker.

Recent upgrades and maintenance by Tom, world-class SVX mechanic.

Scouting for a replacement SVX or Audi A8, S8.

Wow that sucks, but why not take it to SVXFiles and have him put in a 4.44.

[Conn SVX]

+10 on that . Don't kill it 4:44 can save it for less $$$

[Green1995SVX]

Go with the S8 and never look back. I'll be glad you did.

[wynndi]

I wish YT was still the SVX go-to guy!

A Manual swap could be an option.

I'll look into it!

[svxfiles]

Originally Posted by wynndi

The verdict is in.

Transmission is shot. ScoutingDealer wants more than the car is worth to remove and replace with new.

Unless there is a good fresh rebuild near Philadelphia, I will probably be selling her.

Should make that decision by Monday.

She has Koni coil-overs, Stebro exhaust, leather interior, new pioneer 4200dvd with HD, Bluetooth, video bypass, strong engine, newer radiator....some pictures are in my locker.

Recent upgrades and maintenance by Tom, world-class SVX mechanic.

for a replacement SVX or Audi A8, S8.

What did the dealer say is wrong with the transmission?

[benebob]

Originally Posted by svxfiles

[/COLOR]

What did the dealer say is wrong with the transmission?

My guess is the butt plug fell out. Sorry to hear about the issues Wyn.

[wynndi]

Without taking it apart, they said that a gear was destroyed. I have to assume that it would be a sun gear (or is that planetary) as all gears are lost including reverse.

I dont have 100% confidence in the diagnosis as the car did drive after the first failure - even though it was less than a mile.

I'm going to discuss with their tech on Monday .

[thumper_svx]

Much as I'd love to try to sell you my '96 as a replacement (http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/2696901257.html) I would have to say +1 on the 4.44 swap. It's one hell of an upgrade to the acceleration and feel of the car, and I've seen decent 4.44 trannys on eBay for around $800-$1000 or thereabouts. Don't make the mistake though of getting the open diff... go the extra mile and switch the ring and pinion from the open diff to the SVX's limited slip... the open diff is fine, but it does negatively impact handling at the limit. It makes the car have a bit more of a plowing sensation in corners... though the SVX does understeer stock anyway... the open diff just makes it worse.

From the reading I've done, you can't do a manual switch on a '96. Because of the vastly different electronics for OBDII it won't work. I may be wrong on that, but I think I picked up that tidbit in the technical forums at one point. Besides, while the manual switch really changes the character of the SVX, I think the SVX is just fine being one of the best GT's of its era.

[icingdeath88]

Originally Posted by thumper_svx

From the reading I've done, you can't do a manual switch on a '96. Because of the vastly different electronics for OBDII it won't work. I may be wrong on that, but I think I picked up that tidbit in the technical forums at one point.

It can be done, but there are caveats. It won't pass inspection easily, due to a CEL, but it will work just fine.

[wynndi]

4.44 Swap is looking pretty attractive though I drove a sweet Audi S5 today....

Who could do a 4.44 within 100 miles of Philadelphia +/-?

[oab_au]

Originally Posted by wynndi

After a VERY, VERY long and enjoyable stretch of no mechanical problems, I pick up on a noise coming from somewhere near the firewall last night.

It's a higher pitched squeal that increases in frequency when accellerating at any speed. I was thinking power steering, but ruled it out.

Driving to work this morning, more noise but no change in performance at all.

On way home, I aim for parts store to get transmissin fluid (looks a little low but not outrageously so - no leaks either). Decided against taking I-95 "just in case" which turned out to be a really good idea when, at 30mph or so, the rpms rise and the car slows. No forward gears at all. Pull over, no reverse at all.
Car sits for 15 min as I make calls and check under hood, under car. Get in, start up, car drives ok for a half mile then loses all gears again.
Got her flatbedded to the local Subaru dealer (it was that or Pep Boys...) and await her fate.

Fluid wasn't very low, didn't stink, is 25K old, no leaks, no dummy lights, no sign of overheat.

Any ideas about what I'm in for beyond a bruised wallet?

The bits in bold does not sound like a, " gear was destroyed", sounds more like no oil pressure.
How low was the oil?

Harvey.

[92snowmachine]

Originally Posted by oab_au

The bits in bold does not sound like a, " gear was destroyed", sounds more like no oil pressure.
How low was the oil?

Harvey.

i agree - gears don't sit for a while then begin to work for a while before dying again, could be fluid pressure or frictions but not likely gears. subaru dealers don't seem to know anything about these things anyway. take it to a trans shop, someone who will swap it for you, or even the pep boys you passed (anyone but the dealer).

[wynndi]

I'm heading to the dealer in the morning with a few quarts of transmission fluid and a funnel.

I need to satisfy my curiosity about the fluid level. From what I could see, it was at "low cold" at the time of failure though the engine was at operating temperature.