I have received many helpful posts from the Subaru Outback Forums, but i would like to ask you folks.

My '98 Outback is pushing ATF thru the vent tube. It is not overfilled, As fast as I pour fluid it comes out of the vent tube. As you can imagine there is no go.

Some say blockage in the cooling system, some say internal cracking-blockage.

She has 184000 miles. Replaced the engine at 167000 miles with a 105000 engine,

R&R by Subaru Stuff Shop, Hayden, ID. Good people.

 

Any other ideas or commentary?

 

Thanks

Well first lets make sure you're pouring fluid into the fill tube on the left (drivers) side of the transmission?

The fill tube on the right side with the short dipstick is for the front differential.

It's a good thing it won't move because the front diff would chew itself to pieces in no time being full of ATF.

If that be the case.

 

If not then... split cooler hose?

The pan is just a resivoir, not under pressure. They only way ic can spit up fluid is if it is overfilled. Does the fluid foam or is bubbly when it pushes out? If it does it is overfilled. Check which fill you are using like stated above.

wow that doesn't sound good.

 

you're filling through the ATF and not the diff right? diff is passengers side dipstick, ATF is drivers side dipstick. that's confused folks before.

 

no previous work - what happened right before this happened? was the car running and driving perfectly fine?

 

engine wasn't pulled was it?

Hi, Yes I filled it on the drivers side. the easy one. Driving slowly on level ground after a 30 mile trip, HWY speeds. The car made a poof-pop sound and immediately no forward power.

Just went out to check the differential level. Had to remove the air cleaner to get to it. The stick has ATF to the top of stopper. Not good.

Yes , I replaced the engine 2 winters ago at 167000 miles with one that had 105000, head gasket problems. She now has 184000 miles. Always ran great. No problems.

i've heard of one seal between the atf and front diff, but not sure it matters, the trans sounds hosed. these transmission aren't typically repaired, though you could try it if you want to separate the diff and trans.

 

if it were me i'd plan on trashing the trans anyway so i'd dump two bottles of AutoTransX Stop Leak into the trans fluid and see if it helps swell that seal.

 

then if that didn't work i'd put another transmission in it if the car is worth keeping.

 

if you junk the trans, keep the rear extension housing and Duty C solenoid (removable once that rear extension housing is removed - which is easy). that way if you have torque bind in the future you've got the parts to fix it. or - if you know yours doesn't have torque bind for sure you could install your duty c and rear housing on a used trans before you install it in the car.

Yep, it's just not your day. New transmission time, unfortunately. :-\

Yes sadly it is porked.

Got a used tranny from a Spokane , WA import wrecking yard. 100400 miles, $450. Took it to Subaru Stuff Shop, in Hayden, Idaho. Asked them exchange tail housing as recommend on this site, possible torque binding. The tranny was full of water!!

To the wrecking yards credit, They took the unit back, and I bought a second used tranny with 200001 miles for $300. Credit for the 1st tranny.

Got it back today. Ran it for 100 mile trip and seems to shift great.

$591.08 for the install.

Any input? Great site, I'm sure i will be back!!

Sounds good! Hopefully it lasts longer than the rest of the car!

change the fluid, drain and re-fill, at the next couple of oil changes. can't hurt and it doesn't cost much.

The pan is just a resivoir, not under pressure. They only way ic can spit up fluid is if it is overfilled. Does the fluid foam or is bubbly when it pushes out? If it does it is overfilled. Check which fill you are using like stated above.

 

 

In 1999 I bought a brand new Forester. On the way home from the dealer's lot, the tranny sprayed fluid up though the fiiler tube. The dealer immediately installed a brand new transmission.

 

So, the pan can be pressurized. The dealership didn't want to talk about the nature of the failure. However, I know for a fact that a number of 1999 Subarus experienced this same failure. There was a shortage of replacement trannies for a brief time due to this failure.