'99 Forester slow to shift into "D" sometimes

[mnwolftrack]

This is regarding a car I haven't bought yet but am seriously considering....

 

It's a 1999 Forester with a 2.5L and Auto. The transmission has a transmission fluid leak and reportedly leaks slowly but is otherwise plenty driveable. It shifts fine and drives fine unless the fluid is low, in which case it will hesitate shifting into D. Is this slow shifting "the common issue in 1999" regardless (or was the common issue for 1999's a speedo issue)? I can't remember, and I haven't owned a 1999. I tried a search but couldn't find my answer.

 

I'm not afraid to replace the whole transmission if need be. I've already done it on a previous '98 OBW with a noisy front pump, but want to see what I might be getting into here.

 

If the slow-shifting is a common issue anyway, I'd likely just replace the seals and leave it as-is. I'd be really happy if this was just a matter of replacing the transmission front input shaft seal and graphite c-clip seal on the torque converter shaft. At the same time, I'd check the engine rear main seal and seperator plate. The last 2.5L I pulled (about a month ago) took only 1 hour 50 minutes to remove, so it's not a lot of time involved (with the right tools, of course).

[idosubaru]

sounds like the common delay in shifting problem that many 1999's have. very bizarre that the 99's have so many problems with this. what's different about the 99's that the 98's and 2000's didn't have?

[xrturbo]

It is very common. It is 98% of the time a seal on the forward drum. 95 transmissions are a close runner up.

[porcupine73]

Yes have seen many posts about the slow to engage into drive issue on '99s and some '00s. Basically some shrinking seal or something preventing rapid buildup of pressure. Here's a thread started in '04 that over the years a number of people have posted this issue.

[mnwolftrack]

Thanks for the info! The Forester reportedly has an external leak of fluid, but I'm assuming the seal you are talking about is internal? I wonder if anyone has tried transmission honey and/or synthetic lube?

 

--Nevermind, just read the 3 page post in your link. Someone does mentione trying the Lucas tranny honey and said it worked, so this might be a possibility. Worst case scenario I guess I just swap another transmission. First, I need to take it for a drive and see how bad it actually is or isn't (it's reportedly not that bad).

[idosubaru]

yes it's inernal. a friend of mine was having issues with her 99 earlier this year. she ended up having it fixed for only $1,200. i was surprised it was that cheap, but apparently someone her family knew was experience with transmissions, may have even owned a shop. they fixed it.

 

also when i was looking into her 1999 issue i read that same thread posted above. i contacted the guy who tried the lucas tranny lube additive. he said it helped for a few years before he got rid of the car or something like that. never ended up needing to fix the trans.