I have a 99 OBW automatic. We have only 57k miles on our car. I was towing a boat (1200lbs.) and noticed white smoke coming from the right side engine compartment. Pulled over and found small amount of fluid on the ground and on passenger side of tranny. All fluid levels check okay and it wasn't overheating. I was able to drive it home without problem. AFter two days in the garage -- no leaks found on garage floor. Dealer cleaned engine and added dye to engine and tranny and said to return in 300- 400 miles. Dealer said it was tranny fluid that had leaked and after I told him my leak occurred when towing he said that if the tranny gets hot an escape valve lets the fluid out to avoid damage? Is this bullsh## or what? Never heard of such a claim! Anyway, presently no charge for this service and no receipt for present service. This dealer (Bowser, PA)has been nothing but stand-up until this point. Comments??????

Most A/Ts have a vent and can push out fluid, this normaly only happens when the fluid gets pretty hot (like when towing) and the fluid is very full. You may have been just a bit over full, if it doesn't happen again you should be fine.

 

Note: I dont know what the rated towing capacity for the OB is (if any), but if you are going to be towing regularly I would look into a external tranny cooler. And, if the trans is a 4 speed with overdrive, I'd probably shift down to 3ed on the hills (even little ones), rebuilding A/Ts is VERY expensive, best to avoid it.

 

Gary

Most A/Ts have a vent and can push out fluid, this normaly only happens when the fluid gets pretty hot (like when towing) and the fluid is very full. You may have been just a bit over full, if it doesn't happen again you should be fine.

 

Note: I dont know what the rated towing capacity for the OB is (if any), but if you are going to be towing regularly I would look into a external tranny cooler. And, if the trans is a 4 speed with overdrive, I'd probably shift down to 3ed on the hills (even little ones), rebuilding A/Ts is VERY expensive, best to avoid it.

 

Gary

Thanks for your post. You made my day! We had the 60k service recently which would've changed the fluid in the transmission. Like you said, maybe it was a bit too full. I sure hope so.

 

I never was able to locate a tranny cooler for this car.

Just about any aftermarket universal tranny cooler will work.

If you are towing, you should have a tranny cooler installed. The cooler in the radiator is just a small can sitting inside the side/bottom of the radiator. It works O.K. under normal driving conditions, but with the radiator fluid running about 185 degrees or so, can't do a real good job of heat transfer.

 

If you tow regularly, you also need to change tranny fluid more often.

If you are towing, you should have a tranny cooler installed. The cooler in the radiator is just a small can sitting inside the side/bottom of the radiator. It works O.K. under normal driving conditions, but with the radiator fluid running about 185 degrees or so, can't do a real good job of heat transfer.

 

If you tow regularly, you also need to change tranny fluid more often.

I looked into purchasing a tranny cooler when I originally purchased by boat and I didn't find anyone who markets one for my Subaru. Dealer, internet and I think I posted here and I couldn't find one!

 

Can someone help??

Along with the ATF cooler (which I totally agree with), I'd suggest you put in synthetic transmission fluid. Again, just another margin of safety you can give yourself. Synthetic ATF will run cooler, and tolerate higher temperatures before breaking down.

 

If it was my car and this had happened, I'd be changing out the ATF, even if it was just changed recently. Heat is the cause of 90% of transmission failures from what I've read. Heat rapidly degrades the fluid. The loss of lubrication properties results in wear and tear. Result - damage occurs. Result - big $$$.

 

Commuter