ATF in the Diff

cdigerlando · #1 10-18-2006, 08:22 PM

Well this is not exactly SVX but it is technical and I just wanted to share this with everyone and get some good advice from the smartest subaru people I know.

Well this is a long story, but my wife went to the Subaru Dealer to get an oil change on our new 06 FXT before our trip from Florida to NC and they were full up. So she decided to take it to Walmart to get the oil changed. Well the guy removes the transmission filter instead of the oil filter and starts draining the transmission. He figured that out, then had to get a transmission filter from the local dealer. Then he changed the oil and filled what he thought was the transmission, but wasn't, it was the front differential, with ATF. This is understandable since the Diff dipstick is the only thing visible, and other older subarus like my SVX do not have a separate gear oil system in the front. Well when they started the car apparently there is a fluid level indicator that will not allow the transmission to engage without fluid. At this point the maintenance folks have no idea what is going on and my wife is freaking out and afraid to call me.....but finally she did and being the understanding and level headed husband that I am, I did not get mad at her or them. Then I showed up, figured out the problem, and was able to relieve her and my 1 1/2 yr old son from this 7 hr ordeal. Yes, its not often I get to be a hero for my wife and son. Hopefully this makes up for all of the time I have been spending underneath my cars. See honey...its all worth it now isn't it?

Anyway....

My question to all of you subaru gurus out there is.....is there a problem with the differential seals putting ATF in the diff? Obviously we are going to change out the fluid with a 75W 90 GL-5 rated synthetic fluid, but does having ATF in contact with the seals in the diff damage them in any way. The car was not driven, and we will be changing it out in the morning.

My warning to all of you FXT owner is that the ATF dipstick is very very very difficult to see. It is on the drivers side, like other subaru automatics that I have seen, but way under the intercooler. It is very easy for someone in a rush like a lube shop to mistake the diff dipstick for the ATF dipstick, even though there is a diff marker on the stick. Save yourself some trouble and take it to subaru.

Budfreak · #2 10-18-2006, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdigerlando

and other older subarus like my SVX do not have a separate gear oil system in the front.

Uuhh?? What??

cdigerlando · #3 10-18-2006, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Budfreak

Uuhh?? What??

Sorry to here about your car. It was a real beaut. Did you see the pearly for sale on E-bay. Its sweet. You could move all of your stuff to that one. If your parting it out I might like to talk to you sometime.

What specifically was your question regarding the FXT front diff?

Hocrest · #4 10-18-2006, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdigerlando

What specifically was your question regarding the FXT front diff?

I think he was questioning this statement;

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdigerlando

and other older subarus like my SVX do not have a separate gear oil system in the front.

Budfreak · #5 10-18-2006, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdigerlando

Sorry to here about your car. It was a real beaut. Did you see the pearly for sale on E-bay. Its sweet. You could move all of your stuff to that one. If your parting it out I might like to talk to you sometime.

What specifically was your question regarding the FXT front diff?

Thanks man. Yeah, I saw the pearly. Wish I could come close to affording it. Mine isn't that bad off and can be fixed. It should be done sometime in december hopefully. You said the SVX didn't have a seperate gear oil system. How is that?

cdigerlando · #6 10-18-2006, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Budfreak

Thanks man. Yeah, I saw the pearly. Wish I could come close to affording it. Mine isn't that bad off and can be fixed. It should be done sometime in december hopefully. You said the SVX didn't have a seperate gear oil system. How is that?

You're kidding me? I've owned it this long and not known that! WTF. How do you change the fluid?

Budfreak · #7 10-18-2006, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdigerlando

You're kidding me? I've owned it this long and not known that! WTF. How do you change the fluid?

The dipstick for the diff is on the pass. side. If you remove the intake duct it makes it easier to see. There is a drain plug in the diff. You'll find it between the engine and tranny drain plugs.

TomsSVX · #8 10-18-2006, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdigerlando

You're kidding me? I've owned it this long and not known that! WTF. How do you change the fluid?

Oh god please tell me you are kidding

Tom