Hello,

 

I have a 1995 Legacy LS AWD automatic 4spd 2.2L 4cyl.

 

The transmission is leaking 1-2 qts of oil a day.. When I add a fresh 2 qts the car returns to normal shifting (I think 3rd and 4th gear are gone now though)

 

What I've done so far: Tried several different brands of Stop leak, and transmission sealers (the latest one being BlueDevil). No change with these added....

 

I had a friend take a look underneath and he believes its the rear seal that needs to be replaced. (Smoke rises from the fluid leaking onto the hot catalytic converter)

 

couple conerns here... is buying the seal and the transmission is actually leaking from a different seal ...or maybe its not a seal issue at all and if not what else could it be?

 

So heres one question, out of many really but this is a start....

 

Are all seals the transmission could be leaking from the same? So If I purchase one seal will it work for all seals?

 

Drive shaft seal

Transmission pan seal

Input shaft seal

Valve body seal

 

Unfortunately I have had to drive the car with 0 fluid going 10mph in 1st gear when the fluid has run out over night and I didn't have more on hand. 

 

anyways, yea this Subaru is old but I'm attached and would rather repair this than give up on it.

 

ANY feed back what so ever is greatly appreciated. Opinions, options. what to do or not to do. etc. 

 

Thanks. 

 

I 

Edited February 12, 201511 yr by shadevice

The rear tail shaft seal is easy to replace.  All seals are different.  

Pan uses RTV not a gasket.

 

Mileage?  If you drove the trans with no fluid, you damaged it and a used trans is most likely your best bet.

The rear tail shaft seal is easy to replace.  All seals are different.  

Pan uses RTV not a gasket.

 

Mileage?  If you drove the trans with no fluid, you damaged it and a used trans is most likely your best bet.

 

205k. Yea It is probably damaged, but with fluid good it still shifts normal so I may just be extremely lucky. 

 

Guess I'll cross my fingers that its the rear tail shaft seal. 

 

4th gear has been gone for 3 months or so now..65mph, 3k rmp won't shift to 4th...other than that its been fine...a while back I researched the 4th gear thing and discovered it could have something to do with speed control sensor or something along those lines non specific transmission related...(when this occurred i immediately checked fluid levels and they were good)

 

Not sure. Thanks for your reply, any other insight is most welcome 

Edited February 12, 201511 yr by shadevice

find the leak.  post pictures if you have to.   stop leak is unlikely to help, i would quit adding that.

 

leak towards the front of the transmission - where the axles connect is likely:
1.  torque converter seal

2.  the clamps/hoses that connect to the transmission

3.  transmission pan - the gasket or pan itself is compromised (hole, rust, drain plug).

 

when you say "it leaked out overnight" - do you literally mean it leaked overnight while sitting?
or was it probably just low from driving the day before without adding anything and then was really low the next time you started it?

 

1. if it's the torque converter seal, it requires pulling the engine or transmission to replace.  it's a $7 part and hundreds in labor.

2. if it's the clamps/hoses - replace the hoses as they're certainly old/brittle by now.  tightening is unlikely to help and can sometimes make it worse

3.  transmission pan - replace pan if it's compromised.  drop it, clean it, reseal it if the gasket is leaking.

 

2 & 3 are cheap and easy - #1 is expensive.

when you say "it leaked out overnight" - do you literally mean it leaked overnight while sitting?

or was it probably just low from driving the day before without adding anything and then was really low the next time you started it?

 

It did seem that sudden. Did not notice any shift issues prior to parking for the evening, but it definitely could have already been some what low. Although I did not notice any smoking caused by the leak dripping on the hot cata on the previous day. 

 

 

I sorta went conspiracy theory and suspected tampering at how sudden this issue arose but a seal can give out in a big way quickly I suppose...

 

Thanks again. 

ATF can leak from just a few places.

 

1. Rear output.  Easy fix with a new seal

 

2. Trans pan.  Reseal with "the RIGHT STUFF" or another good RTV sealant.

 

3. Dipstick o-ring.....easy fix with new o-ring

 

4. Torque converter front seal.....this one is unlikley...but if there is ATF coming out of the bellhousing area between engine and trans, that's it.

 

5.  O-ring where wiring goes into the trans on drivers side.....this one is ussually not more than a weeper.  Very difficult to reseal if it's leaking bad.

 

And finally #6.....the most likely to lose large amounts of fluid at a time since it's being pumped out.......The hoses to the radiator.

 

 

There is a 7th.....unlikley possibility.....I've seen once the gasket between the pump body and the trans case leaking pretty bad (someone used paper instead of metal gasket for rebuilding)  That's one that puts the trans into the "junk" pile since replacing it is not cost effective.

 

In fact......with what this trans has been through, I Would advise 90% likely best bet is new trans.