Transmission problem with 2002 3.0 Outback H6

[Moi]

I have to admit that I know very little about cars, but would like
someone to help me with this one.

I have a 2002 Outback 3.0H6 that I bought 8 months ago, and the
transmission died and had to stripped and be fixed. The service report
says that the transmission oil was burnt (I stopped as soon as the "at
oil temp" light came on) and it had just had it's 100km service 2 days
previously. The garage sent the transmission away and fixed it and also
fitted an inline oil filer (?filter spelt wrong) and an external oil
cooler.

It was an ex-company car done 84km and regularly serviced by Subaru
dealer when I got it. I'm a mother so all my driving is boring domestic
stuff. I live in a semi rural area, so it is a mix of town and country
and a mix of shorter trips(2km and 12km) with a few 80km+ trips thrown
in, almost never in traffic, and the car has been serviced every
10,000km.

- Could someone explain to me why they would have added the extra
cooler and filer (or filter) into the car.

- I would have thought that you could expect a transmission to last
longer than it did (just under 4 years/100km) Am I correct in my
thinking?

- Any ideas why it would break - can you wreck a transmission with
normal driving? Could something have gone awray at the service?

Hope you can help!

 

[Edward Hayes]

My 2000 Subaru with an automatic transmission is going strong at
103,000 miles. Burnt fluid has several possible causes. If the car was
driven very hard during its life the fluid should have been changes
every 30,000 miles or so. Another cause is if the transmission fluid
was low ( leaked oil) for a long period of time. The extra oil cooler
does provide the transmission with the ability to run cooler and last
longer IF one expects to pull a trailer or other heavy duty service.
In my opinion it is not necessassory for your type of driving. Ed

 

[lkreh]

It's purely speculation, but company cars, just like rental cars, are
often driven hard and even abused. That could be the case with yours,
but the repaired transmission should now be reliable and durable.

 

[Edward Hayes]

An added thought is that a good dealer would suggested a transmission
fluid change. My Subaru book has two recommended change intervals. One
is for severe service such as trailer pulling and or excessive stop &
go city traffic in high tempters and the other is a fluid check(level
& fluid color) every XX miles. Just a thought as you may wish to ask
the dealer why did they not recommend this service (knowing this is a
company vehicle) and they were doing all the vehicles service. You may
get some consideration with the cost of the rebuild. Just a thought.
Ed

 

[Moi]

Thanks for your replies - the transmission fluid was changed at the
100k service (2 days before it broke) - is this the same as the oil?

 

[Edward Hayes]

That sounds suspicious to me. Was the fluid changed by a Subaru
dealer?

 

[Moi]

Yes it was changed at the Subaru dealer - I did approx 300km between
the service and the breakdown as we were going on holiday. Subaru
covered half of the repairs, but I am seeing if i can get the rest
either off the dealer who sold me the car, or the garage that serviced
it. (both Subaru dealers)

 

[Edward Hayes]

Yes I think the dealer or dealers should cover most all of the repair
considering the proximity of the service and the failure. 300km = 180
miles? I would not be surprised if someone forgot to refill the fluid
or did not refill to an acceptable level. Just my opinion. Ed

 

[Sheldon]

Yes I think the dealer or dealers should cover most all of the repair
considering the proximity of the service and the failure. 300km = 180
miles? I would not be surprised if someone forgot to refill the fluid or
did not refill to an acceptable level. Just my opinion. Ed

I would definitely try to get the repair taken care of by Subaru. It's just
too much a coincidence that the failure took place so close to the repair.
I just bought a used Subie, and the first thing my mechanic did was check
the fluid and report it seemed burnt and should be changed. They have the
equipment to completely flush out the system, and replaced the fluid with
synthetic. They also said it should be replace about every 30k, and based
on what the previous owner told me we were right on schedule..

About the only thing I can think of that would destroy a transmission would
be heavy towing. Also, bear in mind that Subaru's never got great reviews
for having bullet proof automatic transmissions. Some mechanics frown on
them. As for me, I just got tired of shifting, and I also have a sports car
for fun. Don't need or want, at this point in my life, two cars with manual
shifters. So far so good, and even the flush and synthetic fluid wasn't
cheap.

Once sorted out, the cars should last forever.

 

[MN]

Also, bear in mind that Subaru's never got great reviews for having bullet
proof automatic transmissions. Some mechanics frown on them.

I've heard an opinion that Subaru transmissions can run a tiny
bit hotter than others because of the AWD front differential
being involved. It generates a lot of heat and is located right
next to the tranny. I put a transmission cooler on my brand new
Impreza for this reason alone.

MN

 

[bj]

they drained the tranny and forgot to put the fluid back in

 

[Edward Hayes]

Subaru 4EAT transmission are very good. Local long time Subaru
mechanic says Ats very trouble free competed to clutches supplied with
the manual transmissions. He went so far as to say he seldom sees ATs
in their shop for any repairs.

 

[Moi]

Thanks for your help - can I prove it? will it be my word against
theirs? Any ideas? If they didn't put the fluid in would it take so
long to crap out - ie not break down on the way home?

 

[Edward Hayes]

Well Moi if you do a transmission pan drain you only drain about 4
quarts out of a total of 10, so yes it would take some time to fail as
it would be running low on AT fluid. Probably your word against
theirs. However since they have serviced the car since new? They were
the last one to service the transmission JUST before failing so you
certainly have good circumstantial case for the failure. My attitude
would be polite but very firm. You serviced it and it failed so can
you help me out here? Don't listen to much to reasons why but, keep
remembering that they worked on it and it died. Good luck and I think
a good dealer will take care of you to at least the part cost if not
the complete job. Just my thoughts. Ed