[hard shift from 1 to 2 98 outback auto trans]

That was the begining of the failure cycle on my 1999 Outback. If you start to get a lag between Park or Reverse and Drive it is the beginning of the end.

 

As for a flush, the best advice I have heard from the transmission specialists is not to flush any transmission with more than 50,000 miles on it. The flush loosens the internal varnish which wanders around and does all kinds of nasty stuff to the valve bodies.

 

Sorry to sound like the voice of doom. Search for my recent post on 1999 Automatic Transmission Failures and good luck.

 

I posted a message last night about checking AT fluid and got some great help thanks. I just bought this car 2 dyas ago and have never had an auto trans subaru before, had many manuals. So I don't know exactly how it is supposed to shift, but it seems harder now than it was the first day I had it. No clunks but you can feel it in your back. The rest of the shifts are much smoother. The fluid isn't a rosy red but not really brown either. Also when I check it hot it seems about right but when I check it cold it registers higher than when hot. I know it is not supposed to be that way.

 

Also is the dual dexron III/mecron fluid OK? I'm thinking of taking it to a local transmission shop to get their view. I have a 30 day or 1000 mile warranty.

 

Any insight or experience would be mcuh appreciated.

[1999 Outback Automatic Transmission Failure]

Well, I recently got the transmission on my last Subaru rebuilt. This the Subaru number five for me; the second one purchased new. I just got the whole front end replaced when the dealer replaced the timing belt before the transmission started to fail (water pump, oil pump, front seals).

 

It is the same, sad story I've read on other Subaru automatic transmission failures:

Starts with lag going from P or R to Drive

Lag gets longer over time; worse after it warms up.

Lag gets critical, as in maybe never going into drive

Time to rebuild

 

I waited until the lag was up to 30 seconds to minutes and then took it to a transmission shop. They spent a better part of a day trying to diagnose it before giving up. So, off to the dealer.

 

I called Subaru of America ahead of time to listen to them deny there was a problem- even after citing posts on this forum. I requested that they help me keep the dealer honest and informed them that if they did not diagnose the problem but instead told me I needed a new transmission that it would be my last Subaru. They promised to call the service manager.

 

So, imagine my surprise when I hear from the dealer that the transmission has a problem and needs to be replaced for $3,600 (rebuilt). They didn't bother doing any diagnosis, so, true to my word, Subaru has lost a loyal customer.

 

I took it back to the specialists for a $1,700 rebuild. For the record, the problem was pistons in the low end clutch pack. They are supposed to be elastomeric, but had hardened to the point where they no longer moved properly. They put 125 PSI on them and they wouldn't budge. This in a car that spent 90% of its life cruising a rural freeway at 70 MPH.

 

So Subaru, goodbye and farewell. I liked your products, but I found out the next problem will be my 2.5L head gaskets. There are plenty of other good products on the market.

 

I have too much service money in this car to part with it, so it is now my wife's in-town shuttle. I bought a '99 Acura CL (2.3L 4 cylinder, 5-speed MANUAL) for my commute. At 110,000 miles it still sounds and drives like a new car. Not a squeak, rattle or excess engine noise to be found. Incidentally, it had virtually the same list price as the Subaru Legacy Outback did new.

 

Thanks for reading the long, semi-rant. I know that some poor soul will Google 'Subaru transmission lag' and I hope they find this among the other forum posts. It's sad; I had considered myself a Subaru owner for life until they didn't even bother trying. I'll vote with my wallet on this one.

 

Next stops: carsurvey.org, MSN auto, edmunds.com