I picked up a wrecked 2013 OBW, the radiator was smashed and ATF lines severed. After temporarily repairing the ATF lines it lot drove in my friends business parking lot but acted odd in my driveway before I started repairing the collision damage. 

My main concern is if it has CVT issues is the CVT hosed or is it some other artifact of the wreck/repair/sitting?

It was listed as "lot drives" at the auction, I'm guessing it was driven after the wreck a little, and/or lot drove for the tow truck/auction loading/logistics, so I assume it was driven low on ATF.

I welded in/primed/painted new front supports, new radiator, and am finished the collision repair and am about to start the car up. 

Any suggestions or comments about what to expect or do if the transmission is acting funny to make sure I properly diagnose the CVT?  Maybe it'lll be obvious but the mixed signals before the repair have me wondering. 

I'll plan on following Subaru's procedures for topping it off and post back any codes I get. 

odd

I have only this to offer, it seems kinda 'binary' at a lot,  in that, there would maybe  have been enough fluid to operate, shift the car around a little from spot to spot,  until the car wouldn't move, then, it would just get parked.

 

not quite the same same as someone trying to , say, daily drive it on the highway day after day a quart low on fluid.

probably puked oil until the sump couldnt pump any more and oil starvation damaged something which showed itself later. The chain or pump?

I think someone knowledgeable mentioned they’re fragile before.

Should get a chance to start (notice I didn’t say ‘drive’!) it tomorrow. 

Theres used CVTs and have a parts car with a Subaru remanufactured unit so I’ve got options. Time sucker but the car was so cheap and easy to repair (airbags didn’t go off) Ill get over it once I’m driving it. 

if there is ANY fluid left - maybe send a sample to Blackstone ???

15 minutes ago, 1 Lucky Texan said:

if there is ANY fluid left - maybe send a sample to Blackstone ???

That’s a good options thanks, it has the “original fluid” mixed with whatever I topped it off with. 

It ran and drove, that’s where the good news ends.

In reverse it drove totally forward like it was in drive, until I cycled it through all stops on the trans selector. Now reverse works. 

Is that indicative of:

1. Compromised CVT?

or,

2.  That’s what they always do when fluid gets low and they’re refilled?

There’s also some whining and rattling type noises.

I’m guessing the transmission is shot but I’ll investigate a little more and look up failing cvt symptoms.

36 minutes ago, idosubaru said:

That’s a good options thanks, it has the “original fluid” mixed with whatever I topped it off with. 

 

I think Blackstone can even do soemthing with that info. I have seen some comments from them whereby they 'extrapolated' data from odd/mixed samples. But, could just be wasted money if it's obvious there's internal issues now....?

39 minutes ago, 1 Lucky Texan said:

 

I think Blackstone can even do soemthing with that info. I have seen some comments from them whereby they 'extrapolated' data from odd/mixed samples. But, could just be wasted money if it's obvious there's internal issues now....?

Yeah it seems problematic. It has a bunch of trans codes and whining. Not sure if fuses can be trans related but it’s missing one or two.

Seems like bad trans but I’ll check to make sure trans plugs are all connected and no wiring issues, check fuses and drive it some more. 
 

want to make sure I avoid replacing the trans and have the same issues. 

Good Transmission shop can pull the codes and give you some more info.

2 hours ago, lmdew said:

Good Transmission shop can pull the codes and give you some more info.

I’ve got that all-tel EM29 or whatever scanner, it read 4 transmission codes.  Will post them tomorrow.

Edited April 13, 20223 yr by idosubaru