lubegard black in Subaru => big problems, pls help

[redphan]

I had a garage recently replace the transmission fluid in my subaru
legacy. The garage also added LubeGard black (friction modifier. I
believe the transmission consists of a torque converter, gears, pump,
filter and an automatic clutch at the rear end to distribute power
whenever the computer feels necessary. The car is a four wheel drive.

The problem is that after adding the fluid all the gear changes and
clutch engages/disengages have become very jerky. It'n no longer
silky smooth like before. Adding LubeGard black is NOT recommended by
Subaru, so why they added it is beyond me and they are a Subaru
garage!!!

I had the garage change the oil again. That would have reduced the
LubeGard in the tranny by about 50% because roughly half the oil still
remains in the tranny. I live in Switzerland, no one here does a full
tranny flush like in the USA. Despite the 2nd oil change, the problem
still exists.

I am fed up with the garage and don't want to go to them again. I
would be keen to hear of any ideas on how to get rid of all traces of
the LubeGard or to neutralise its effect. Thanks.

 

[Edward Hayes]

Every time you dain/refill you change~45% of the fluid so to get close to
100% new you need about 4 drain/refills. However: if the lubguard is somehow
formed a coating/bond on the shift bands then it may take a long while or
never to get the stuff removed. I'm not to impressed with you sudo mechanic.
Maybe someone on this NG will tell you how to do a home transmission flush
or some transmission cleaner that would help. ed

 

[Rick Courtright]

Maybe someone on this NG will tell you how to do a home transmission flush
or some transmission cleaner that would help. ed

Hi,

I'm not sure exactly what Lubeguard Black is or how it works, but in the
US there's a cleaner called Trans-X that does a great job of removing
varnish and gums. I don't know if it's available outside the States, nor
if it would get this LB stuff out, but it might be worth asking around.

Rick

 

[Edward Hayes]

Another thought: Are you sure that the transmission fluid used was Dexron 3
???????

 

[redphan]

Yes, it was Dexron III manufactured by Castrol.

Another thought: Are you sure that the transmission fluid used was Dexron 3
???????

 

[ed]

Have a look at the Amsoil site (Amsoil.com). There is a section somewhere
that describes how to replace the trans oil completely by using the oil
cooler line to the radiator. I've done it and it's the same method used by
some trans shops who use a machine to do it more quickly, called a T-Tek.
The motor is run at idle, and the oil comes out of the cooler line from the
transmission, and you add oil at the dipstick tube until you have put in the
total amount in the transmission (chek the driver manual or a shop manual
for the quantity for your car, it's around 8 litres or so). The T-Tek is
quicker because as the oil is pumped out of the cooler line, the T-Tek adds
the same amount into the line going back to the transmission. Doing it
manually is slower, but the results are the same, a total trans flush.
Ed B.