Hi all,
I've searched this board looking for a possible explanation and place to start on finding a problem with my 1999 Outback Wagon Sport.
My wife was coming home from a trip and hit a lot of rain and drove through some decent amount of standing water. She hit one big puddle and the check engine light came on. About an hour later the transmission began slipping.
The next day I drove it and all was well then she called me later in the afternoon to tell me the transmission was doing the same thing again.
It seems that for the first 20 or 30 minutes from starting cold, everything runs fine then it begins slipping and once it finds a gear, it slams into it. It's quite jarring.
I took it to the local Subaru dealer and they tell me it is getting an improper gear ratio code and the way to fix it is getting a $3,700 transmission. Of course it does! Why should I think any differently?
The car has 135,000 miles on it and has been back and forth, from sea to shining sea, and has always been a great car. I've always kept it well maintained and I am the original owner. I just can't see how some standing water (6 to 8 inches) just trashed my transmission. The fluid and filter are fine and show no sign of particles or burnt fluid. I guess if a seal was going out maybe water got in but again, I don't see any water in the fluid. There are also zero leaks.
Is there a sensor on the outside of the transmission that could have been damaged by water? Is there something else I could have a mechanic look at before I start shopping for a rebuilt transmission?
Thanks!
Cheers,
Zack Arias
Atlanta, GA
http://www.usedfilm.com
