JoanUK300 Posted May 16, 2004 Share Posted May 16, 2004 attached to the sump magnet were about a dozen pieces of metal about 3mm square in size???????? is this right????? a little worried to say the least!!!! Although gear change is fine?? Could it be diff trouble..... ???????? Any help would be appreciated..........PLEASE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chip Hedrick Posted May 16, 2004 Share Posted May 16, 2004 Those sound like rather large metal particles. When I last changed the gear box oil in my ’98, all I recall was some sludge on the magnet. We need more details to respond properly. Is the car still under warranty? If so, bring it to the dealer and at least have the problem noted for the record. That may help you if the transmission later fails. It might help if you had the metal particles to show them. I would want to be able to assure them that you used the proper gear oil when you tell them that you changed the gear oil yourself. If the warranty has expired, I don’t think there is too much you can do. Just make sure you used the proper weight gear oil. Perhaps change it once again after 5,000 mi just to make sure you got all of the metal particles. Otherwise all you can do is hope for the best or pay to have the transmission torn down and rebuilt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoanUK300 Posted May 16, 2004 Author Share Posted May 16, 2004 Thanks for that.....yes, it is still under warranty, was going to pay for another two years. Will the warranty still be valid even though I have had the oil changed by a reputable dealer......(please say yes) also, used the castrol syntrax oil. Will try and get some pics up of the problem!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chip Hedrick Posted May 16, 2004 Share Posted May 16, 2004 I don't know the terms of the warranty (especially since you writing from outside of the U.S.), but I don't think having the oil changed by an independent mechanic should be any issue. The two issues I perceive are: (1) Making sure the transmission has oil that complies with whatever Subaru requires (this should be specified in the owner's manual)--otherwise the dealer may claim that the oil you have has aggravated the problem and voided the warranty. (2) Persuading the dealer to acknowledge that a problem exists. Dealers are experts at denial/minimization. Bring pictures/metal particles if you have them. Get them to acknowledge the issue in writing. There might not be much the dealer can do for you if the transmission isn't acting up. I would seek to have the problem noted for the record and perhaps getting the dealer to do a couple of free gear oil changes to ensure that the problem is monitored and that any additional metal particles are flushed out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Setright Posted May 16, 2004 Share Posted May 16, 2004 It is actually quite normal for a manual tranny to shed some metal. Synchros are working hard and cog teeth from reverse tend to get chipped. The magnet is there to collect them and alert you of a serious problem. "Serious" is a big pile of metal shavings on the magnet. A thin coating is no cause for alarm. Haven't seen your magnet though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoanUK300 Posted May 16, 2004 Author Share Posted May 16, 2004 OK Here is a picture of the bits of metal. Not too clear but as you can see quite a few bits. As far as I know this is the first oil change the gearbox has had. All seems OK with the gears........ Opinions please Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueTrain Posted May 16, 2004 Share Posted May 16, 2004 i changed my gear oil as well yesterday, but didnt have any particles of that size.. just sludge on the magnet. Maybe those particles are from the "break in period" since its the first time the oil has been swapped. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookie Posted May 16, 2004 Share Posted May 16, 2004 When you do those downshifts a bit early or a good grind by error that is what you get. If it sounds and acts normal I would not be concerned. If I had unusual noise and metal I would worry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrxsubaru Posted May 16, 2004 Share Posted May 16, 2004 Change your trannie fluid in another couple thousand miles to see if there are any more metal shavings, it may just be from break in although it seems like a lot to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoanUK300 Posted May 16, 2004 Author Share Posted May 16, 2004 Well, I am going to the dealer tomorrow to have it checked!!! Shall I take a tape recorder with me for evidence..... Will let you all know how I get on...... Thanks for all your replies, you have put my mind at rest a little.... Joan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Setright Posted May 17, 2004 Share Posted May 17, 2004 What type of car by the way? The actual amount of shavings would not worry me. When a main bearing failed on my 1990 Legacy, @129k miles, the oil was full of metal shavings. More than the magnet could hold! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoanUK300 Posted May 17, 2004 Author Share Posted May 17, 2004 It`s a Subaru Impreza WRX UK300 MY01..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoanUK300 Posted May 17, 2004 Author Share Posted May 17, 2004 Been to the dealer. Goes in on the 25th for a strip down and rebuild under warranty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Setright Posted May 17, 2004 Share Posted May 17, 2004 Hats off to the dealer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaapH Posted May 17, 2004 Share Posted May 17, 2004 In the UK the Subaru brand has won a prize for best service (if I do remember correct). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chip Hedrick Posted May 18, 2004 Share Posted May 18, 2004 Good work on the getting the tear down and rebuild! I won't ask what you had to threaten the dealer with to obtain that result. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sprintman Posted May 18, 2004 Share Posted May 18, 2004 And put some decent oil in it after rebuild. NOT dino! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoanUK300 Posted May 18, 2004 Author Share Posted May 18, 2004 Chip, didn`t need to tie him up or anything!!!! He was quite willing to take it in.....the sooner the better, so he takes it from next Tuesday for a few days. They will be doing it all under warranty:) Will be using Castrol Syntrax when it comes back!!!!! Joan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookie Posted May 18, 2004 Share Posted May 18, 2004 A rare treat! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hondasucks Posted May 19, 2004 Share Posted May 19, 2004 I dunno if this would apply to your warranty or not, but my ex has a Hyundai, and to save money she wanted to see if I could change the oil rather than the dealer (cuz it has to have it's scheduled maintenance for the warranty to be valid) and the dealer said it was okay, as long as she brought in receipts for the oil, and if I replaced anything like an air or fuel filter, I had to get genuine Hyundai parts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoanUK300 Posted May 28, 2004 Author Share Posted May 28, 2004 O.K then, an update of my UK300...... The dealer has just phoned to say the car is ready and said there was a problem between 3rd and 4th gear, they have replaced the parts and said that Subaru must have been aware there was a problem as the new parts they ordered are slightly modified. They sorted out some other minor problems too and ALL under warranty...... So a BIG thimbs up for 'DAYS' of Chelmsford, UK.....TOP JOB GUYS and many thanks.... Joan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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