Recurring Transmission Problems

[ScottyB]

Well, let's see. I've had lots of transmission problems in the past. Quick summary:

1) stock transmission was running in front wheel drive and caused front differential damage so I decided a replacement was in order.

2) this summer I replaced the stock transmission with a 4.11 final drive 95 legacy 4EAT. I used the original svx torque converter, which in retrospect was probably a bad idea. Anyway, about a month later there was transmission fluid leaking like a faucet out of the trans. Upon inspection LAN suggested that the pump had blown because of the metal fragments in the torque converter. I hypothesized that I probably knocked the TC out of position when I was getting the transmission into position during the installation. This would explain the monthish time frame I have read that it takes for the pump to blow when the TC is incorrectly installed. .... One more shot

3) thanksgiving break, I decide to replace the transmission with a 4.44 final drive 4EAT from an outback and also use the outback's TC. I also replaced the front main seal right off the bat to make sure this one would last. The install went smoothly and I triple checked that the TC was seated correctly right before the transmission and engine were bolted together. Then I put everything else back together. There seemed to be a difference in opinions about the amount of transmission fluid required. I've read that the transmission needs about 6 quarts of transmission fluid for a dry transmission (not including TC), I got about a gallon out when I drained the transmission, and the auto parts store said it needed 2 point something... So I decided to slowly add the fluid and continually check. After a couple quarts, the fluid level seemed correct so I started up the car. The level dropped, so I added a little more. After about 5-6 quarts, the level still dropped below readable levels on the dipstick once the car was running. I'm not sure if this was normal, but I figured it was okay.

Now, I take the car for a spin. The acceleration is much better with the 4.44, very cool. I drive around for about a mile and I start to see smoke following me. I get home as quickly and gently as I can. A faucet of transmission fluid is pouring out. This car is a great lesson in patience=). So I get it in the garage, and haven't really looked at it since.

The only thing I can think of is that the metal particles from the pump blowing up from the 4.11 transmission blocked the transmission filter. I didn't think to replace the filter and lines until after the 4.44 transmission started leaking. I figure that this blockage created so much pressure that it blew out the front seal and started leaking fluid.

I wanted to see if anyone had any ideas or thoughts about how to diagnose and hopefully fix my transmission. My only thought is to replace the lines in and out of the transmission and the filter and hope for the best. Or, yet again replacement...

[ShiuludeSVX]

I hope I missed something, because I may be making this change also.

Did you replace the rear end?

[ScottyB]

Originally Posted by ShiuludeSVX

I hope I missed something, because I may be making this change also.

Did you replace the rear end?

Yeah, I switched out the ring gear and limited slip carrier each time. And from what I could tell, the 4.44 would definitely be a lot of fun=)

[NiftySVX]

If you filled the fluid to "full hot" when the fluid was cold it blew it out the vents and superheated the fluid once it got warmed up. It probably also blew past the front seal and damaged the converter bushing. I have seen this many times when a 4EAT is overfilled. This is easy to see if it is what happpened because the bellhousing will be covered. Also, if I remember correctly after a rebuild I would put something like a quart and a half in the converter and then the trans would take something like 12 more quarts, but that is including all the piping which was backflushed and empty.

That is of course a random guess but it is a possibility. I typically fill mine to the "low cold" dot on the stick because then it will be near "low hot" when my trans is at 175 which is where it runs at, and I have plenty of breathing room should something crazy happen and my fluid gets hotter than that.

Further, If the trans fluid is not flushed between every transmission and the converter rebuilt you stand an excellent chance of repeat failures even if you put 30 transaxles in it. I have seen skilled, experienced technicians make this mistake. This is why every manufacturer will supply a reman transaxle/transmission with a new/reman converter.

[trophy956]

subaru auto trans fluid is 10 quarts ,including cooler and piping ,read the manual ,when installing a 4eat torque converter ,make sure you get it all the way on ,there s a pump drive ,stator and turbine shatfs that all have to align
when its all the way in you should have all most no clearence to the case and the converter

[NiftySVX]

Originally Posted by trophy956

subaru auto trans fluid is 10 quarts ,including cooler and piping ,read the manual ,when installing a 4eat torque converter ,make sure you get it all the way on ,there s a pump drive ,stator and turbine shatfs that all have to align
when its all the way in you should have all most no clearence to the case and the converter

What he said, if it is all the way on your hands won't fit behind the converter.

10qts sounds about right. I forgot that my particular SVX holds more because of the giant cooler I have. The best way is to just fill and check though, just like you did, unless you overfilled. The dipstick will tell you.

[ScottyB]

Originally Posted by NiftySVX

If you filled the fluid to "full hot" when the fluid was cold it blew it out the vents and superheated the fluid once it got warmed up. It probably also blew past the front seal and damaged the converter bushing. I have seen this many times when a 4EAT is overfilled. This is easy to see if it is what happpened because the bellhousing will be covered. Also, if I remember correctly after a rebuild I would put something like a quart and a half in the converter and then the trans would take something like 12 more quarts, but that is including all the piping which was backflushed and empty.

That is of course a random guess but it is a possibility. I typically fill mine to the "low cold" dot on the stick because then it will be near "low hot" when my trans is at 175 which is where it runs at, and I have plenty of breathing room should something crazy happen and my fluid gets hotter than that.

Further, If the trans fluid is not flushed between every transmission and the converter rebuilt you stand an excellent chance of repeat failures even if you put 30 transaxles in it. I have seen skilled, experienced technicians make this mistake. This is why every manufacturer will supply a reman transaxle/transmission with a new/reman converter.

By 'the bellhousing will be covered' do you mean the inside or outside? I'm not sure where the vents are... And i'm thinking that that the remaining fluid that was in the filter and cooler circuit must have been contaminated and that caused the failure.

[ScottyB]

Originally Posted by trophy956

subaru auto trans fluid is 10 quarts ,including cooler and piping ,read the manual ,when installing a 4eat torque converter ,make sure you get it all the way on ,there s a pump drive ,stator and turbine shatfs that all have to align
when its all the way in you should have all most no clearence to the case and the converter

I did put in about 7-8 ish quarts. I remember reading that it's not so much too little transmission fluid that can cause a problem, it's too much. I definitely didn't add more that 10 quarts. I just added fluid slowly until the level read correctly on the dipstick.

And I made very sure that the torque converter was mounted correctly.

[ScottyB]

Does anyone know how to know if the transmission's toast at this point? It pretty much died after going about a mile.

Is it possible to replace the lines in and out of the transmission and the filter, flush the system, and wha-la?? Or is that just wishful thinking?