robinw.ross

I'm an experienced mechanic that just helped my sister-in-law move to coast. I have no experience with Subaru's. I drove her 90 loyale wagon non turbo with 3 speed auto for her. Drove over 2 mountain passes and a distance of 270 miles. I was at 4000 - 5100 RPM most of the trip at speeds between 55 - 65 mph. This seemed really high and I stopped after fist 20 miles because red "check engine" light came on, to check tranny fluid level. It was really burnt but not low. The temp reading on engine was good at only 1/3 up gauge yet engine compartment was steaming really bad. (I did a coolant flush and water pump on it 3 months prior as well as a full tune up to include wires, plugs, cap, rotor, replaced starter, and changed oil). The coolant level was good, engine oil was good, had no lag in acceleration. My best guess was that trany fluid was so burnt that it wasn't providing enough lubricity to tranny and causing it to overheat. I also figured the burnt fluid was probable causing issues with the torque converter. I bought some tranny treatment, put it in and hoped for the best as time was short and I had nowhere to flush the tranny. The check engine light was now off when I started it but, came back on within the first 5-10 miles. The RPM's didn't change staying between 4500 - 5100 rpm's the rest of the trip. I really worried me with them being so high but I had no choice as the speed limit was 70 mph and I never went over 65 mph. So my questions are Is this normal for the RPM's? any thought's on Check engine light?