1999 Outback 30 Year Edition Transmission Issues

[Kalbakhan]

I just purchased my first Subaru and it has a few personality defects. I was offered a 99 Outback for a price so good I had to ask what was wrong with it. Turns out the answer to that is the transmission. I took it to a Subaru specialist shop and they said buy it, its well worth it despite the problems. Long story short, I did buy it and for the most part it gets me down the road with minimal fuss.

 

The problems are these:

 

• Delayed engagement in drive. It takes about a 1.5 seconds to engage. The shop acknowledged this issue but said not to worry too much about it.
• Hard down-shift from 4-3, so hard on occasion (usually when motor not up to temp) that is barks the tires. This seems to occur when having to do a sudden acceleration when already running at a significant speed (merging etc).

The transmission suffered a problem 9 years ago where it wouldn't go into gear at all, it was rebuilt at a dealership at that time. Since then, 80K were put on the rebuilt transmission and somewhere about 50K miles ago, the delayed engagement started and then the hard down shift.

 

I have seen several posts on here about similar issues, has anyone had them together? Is it worth trying the fluid treatments or do I need to just start shopping for a used transmission?

 

 

[johnceggleston]

do a search for ''Trans-X'' posted by rooster2 i think.

there are over 100 replies on this thread.

 

there is a known ''slow to engage '' issue with the 99 - 00 auto trans.

you can eliminate it, or at least minimize it enough to avoid a rebuild or replacement,

by replacing the old ATF with new and including a 1 qt. bottle of Trans-X. ($8)

 

it may not help the 4-3 issue,

but it should help the other.

 

do the search,

read up.

[Kalbakhan]

Thanks for the reply,

 

I did read that thread and I drained the sump and replaced adding the Trans-X. That was 3 days ago and it may  have gotten marginally better on the delay but the 4-3 issue is still there. I haven't seen anything firm on time-frame in that thread. Do you know if it is a gradual improvement? I saw where rooster2 said it worked in 10 minutes, is that normal? There have been calls to replace filters and do multiple flushes, are these additional things worth pursuing? 

 

Also, is there a best option for ATF, I used a Valvoline Synthetic 

[ivans imports]

Sounds like exsesive clearance in forward clutchpack first app is just taking up clearance has to fill the space before it shifts

[Kalbakhan]

Can you clarify that response? I am afraid I don't understand what you mean by take up clearance

[Kalbakhan]

Update:

After talking to a friend who works on these cars I did the following. I drained 3 quarts out of the transmission and out back 2 quarts of Valvoline Synthetic ATF and 1 quart of Trans-X. I then drove it for three days. I then drained 5 quarts and replaced the filter. I refilled with 4.5 quarts of Valvoline Synthetic ATF and .5 quarts of Lucas Transmission Fix.

 

So far, so good. It drove perfectly on the way to work this morning. No hard shifts or lurking or barking tires.

[ivans imports]

The first time the shift soilinoid engages it is just filling up the space behind the clutchpack

[idosubaru]

change fluid first...maybe it was just new fluid that helped it?

 

generally avoid additives at all costs unless there's a compelling reason and significant application-specific (from subaru people) experience suggesting it's worth it.

the trans-x is one of those few instances where an additive does wonders to avoid other time and money rich options.

 

the delayed engagement issue will go away immediately, not gradually.

 

www.car-part.com if you need parts in the future