hillbillyhans Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 So, I changed the tranny filter in my '98 outback. Now it is making a weird noise, almost like a vaccum/hydro leak? I don't really know how to explain it. What could cause this? -Low fluid -Too much fluid -Tranny got used to the contaminents Can't tell how much fluid is in there. The POS dipstick is not reliable, reads high then low. I used about 7.5qts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jarl Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 So... you did fill the transmission, right? 7.5 Qt sounds correct as far as I know, but just checking... Some people drain the transmission and fill the front differential BTW: which car we are talking about? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillbillyhans Posted April 11, 2012 Author Share Posted April 11, 2012 I filled it through the dipstick with the yellow handle on the driver's side next to the firewall. I am talking about a '98 outback legacy with a 2.5. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattocs Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 Did 7.5 quarts get taken out? Draining the pan only gets out about 4 quarts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jarl Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 Did 7.5 quarts get taken out? Draining the pan only gets out about 4 quarts. Je je... you are absolutely right. I forgot I didn't drain & refill, but disconnected the hose from the cooler and spilled & filled. Now you know what's going on: overfilled & aereated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillbillyhans Posted April 11, 2012 Author Share Posted April 11, 2012 Idk how much came out with the pan. Prolly bout 4 quarts, but a bunch came out with the filter, and the tube that runs across the filter. Who knows how much came out of the TC. I drove it to the parts store with 4qts in and it made the same noise. The dipstick read low with only 4qts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillbillyhans Posted April 11, 2012 Author Share Posted April 11, 2012 So it's too full? I don't get your last post jarl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillbillyhans Posted April 11, 2012 Author Share Posted April 11, 2012 What happens if it's too full? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillbillyhans Posted April 11, 2012 Author Share Posted April 11, 2012 What happens if it's too full? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillbillyhans Posted April 11, 2012 Author Share Posted April 11, 2012 So it's too full? I don't get your last post jarl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jarl Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 (edited) I'm not sure I understand your post 100%. Your transmission has the external spin-on filter? If so, which is the "tube that runs across the filter"? When draining the transmission (removing the plug) you shouldn't get more than 4 qts, and some more when you remove the filter. There's no easy way (that I'm aware of) to drain the torque converter, so you never have to refill the transmission with the full stated capacity (9 qts?)... only the amount you drained (and that you measured carefully ). If you overfill the transmission the ATF (Dexron III) can get aereated: microscopic (and not-so-microscopic) bubbles form all around. I understand this can damage the transmission... Edited April 11, 2012 by jarl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillbillyhans Posted April 11, 2012 Author Share Posted April 11, 2012 No, I had to remove the pan to get to the filter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShawnW Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 Its too full and by a lot. Drain it again, measure what came out and catch it so you can put a little of it back in. The dipstick is only used when its in park at idle. Autos need to be filled as exact as possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillbillyhans Posted April 11, 2012 Author Share Posted April 11, 2012 Will do. Thanks everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattocs Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 When I do my drain and fills, I pour my old ATF into a gallon jug that I've marked with lines for each quart. That way I have a really good idea on how much new fluid will be needed to be at the proper level. Usually I get just under 4 quarts when I drain the pan. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivans imports Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 One note the screen fillter on valve body has a oring on it if its not siting exactly right will suck air in that spot makes the tranny whine because of airated oil check thiss oring commen for pan to get whacked and tilt the fillter so oring dosent seat properly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivans imports Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 over fill it if you like the trans has a vent will dump off the exsess but messy will not hurt trans Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillbillyhans Posted April 12, 2012 Author Share Posted April 12, 2012 So, after removing 3.5 qts from my original 7.5, the dipstick now reads approx. 3qts. low (assuming each hole is a qt.?)It now reads @the low/cold mark. I'm thinking maybe the o-ring did not seat right? That sucks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillbillyhans Posted April 12, 2012 Author Share Posted April 12, 2012 The bolts holding the filter in tightened by hand, one would think these would be slightly off if the o-ring was not seated correctly. Or am I mistaken? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattocs Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 Its only about half of a quart between the low and full mark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnceggleston Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 Its only about half of a quart between the low and full mark. +1, try adding 12 ounces and see where you end up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster2 Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 So, after removing 3.5 qts from my original 7.5, the dipstick now reads approx. 3qts. low (assuming each hole is a qt.?)It now reads @the low/cold mark. I'm thinking maybe the o-ring did not seat right? That sucks! Low mark to high mark on the AT dipstick is only about a pint. Trany fluid should be checked with motor running, engine warm, and trany in park. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillbillyhans Posted April 12, 2012 Author Share Posted April 12, 2012 I'm checking it at idle in park with warm oil. So I drained about 4.5 qts then. O.k. cool. Still have the noise though, so I'm going to take the pan off again tomorrow and check that stupid o-ring. Hopefully that is the problem. The P.O. said it was shifting hard and used some lucas to soften the shifting. Then, when I took the pan off yesterday, I noticed that the magnet was completely covered with metal, there was metal in the pan, and the filter didn't look as if it had ever been changed before. The tranny will crap on me some day, but I want to squeeze every ounce outta this one first. So for future referance, where does a guy buy another transmition for this thing? The number is something like : 463836957W7645896 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster2 Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 I'm checking it at idle in park with warm oil. So I drained about 4.5 qts then. O.k. cool. Still have the noise though, so I'm going to take the pan off again tomorrow and check that stupid o-ring. Hopefully that is the problem. The P.O. said it was shifting hard and used some lucas to soften the shifting. Then, when I took the pan off yesterday, I noticed that the magnet was completely covered with metal, there was metal in the pan, and the filter didn't look as if it had ever been changed before. The tranny will crap on me some day, but I want to squeeze every ounce outta this one first. So for future referance, where does a guy buy another transmition for this thing? The number is something like : 463836957W7645896 It is a little late in the scheme of your problem, but in the future, it is not a good idea to drop the pan on a Subie AT. I did it once to find a clean filter, and then had a devil of a time getting the pan to seal without leaking. It was nasty removing, then replacing, the gasket for pan reattachment. Changing the fluid is all that is really needed for proper maintenance. There will always be some metal grit found in the pan and on the magnet. That is normal. Others have said the same thing on other posts. As far as a replacement trany for your car, the best solution is to buy one from a wrecking yard. To find out which trany will fit your car from what range of years, it is a good idea to ask that question as a new Thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillbillyhans Posted April 12, 2012 Author Share Posted April 12, 2012 Yeah I prolly didn't need to do all of this, but I'm glad I did. The filter was very, very dirty. Lucky for me the whole process has gone well. The pan seal seems to be doing well, just wished that stupid o-ring would've seated. And while I'm whining, I very much dislike the position of the tranny/diff. dipsticks. Oh well, should've known better than to buy an A/T. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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