trans fluid disappearing???!!!

[Loyale93v]

I just bought a 93 loyale w/57,000 original miles. it has the 3AT trans and is the 1.8L EA82 engine. since ownership i have put in 3 QTs of ATF. about every other day I measure fluid level and it is dry. ther are no visable leaks underneath or any where for that matter. However, I could be mistaken on what I think is an engine oil leak, it could maybe be a ATF leak. it is hard to tell when the under side is all dirty with road grime. upon initial start up everything seems fine, I engage the drive gear and prceed to accelerate. It imediately bogs out with serious power loss. after the engine has warmed to operating temp the power loss and and bogging out seems to subside. the power loss is only evedent in 1st and 2nd gears. I have given it a minor tune up so far, including plugs/wires & oil/oil filter change; I have also cleaned out the throttle boby/throttle plates; Every thing else seems to be intact,(elec connecters, harnesses, drive belts and so forth)

Where could the ATF fluid be disappearing to??? Any and all insight is appriciated! Thanks in advance!

[Uncle Ed]

You have 2 lines that run from the trans to the radiator, other than that I'd check the modulator valve on the right side of the trans (might have a pin hole leak) however there is normally some smoke if the engine is burning ATF.

Unc

[idosubaru]

Need to verify whether all the underside grime is the ATF leaking or not.

loosing ATF and really dirty underside - smells like....looks like...feels like...it probably is!

 

might want to search for some 3AT information as i think they have some oddball vacuum and other oddities that allow them to loose fluid - apparently that's what the previous poster mentioned. the 3AT is an oddball and is completely different than all other later Subaru transmissions so many of us aren't that familiar with them.

 

follow the fluid hoses on the drivers side right around the valve covers that go from the trans to the radiator. look for leaks there. or the radiator could be leaking - meaning just transmission fluid, not necessarily coolant. might have to pull it out if you can't tell or it's all dirty and wet (which would be a good indicator something is wrong).

 

Check your front differential fluid level, hopefully it's not overfilled as there is a possibility of ATF to bleed into the front diff...well at least on 4EAT stuff, i'm not sure about the 3AT.

[Loyale93v]

You have 2 lines that run from the trans to the radiator, other than that I'd check the modulator valve on the right side of the trans (might have a pin hole leak) however there is normally some smoke if the engine is burning ATF.

Unc

 

yeah i have heard something about this modulator.."loosing fluid with no apparent leak" possible fluid flow up through the modulator diaphram and through the vac line into the crank case...?? any one care to comment on that?

i am not yet cosidering a swap out. i want to remedy issue if possible. I bought this car last week for $900 w/ 57,000 miles, other than this issue everything is imaculate! interior is crystal clean(the old r12 ac still works well) this is the only complaint

 

what i need is some specific info on the 3AT and related components. Can any one recomend a site or post/thread?

[TomRhere]

Easy check on the vacuum modulator is to pull the vacuum line off it.

If any ATF drips out of either the vac line or the modulator, the unit is toast.

 

As Gary said, check the level for the front diff. The seal between trans and diff can go bad. ATF can bleed over into the front diff.

[Loyale93v]

Easy check on the vacuum modulator is to pull the vacuum line off it.

If any ATF drips out of either the vac line or the modulator, the unit is toast.

 

As Gary said, check the level for the front diff. The seal between trans and diff can go bad. ATF can bleed over into the front diff.

 

What kind of driveability problems/symptoms are directly related to a faulty AT Modulator?

[Suberstar88]

Youll Have a giant cloud of blue smoke coming from your exhuast everytime you accelerate, pretty hard to miss hehe. trust me >.<

[TomRhere]

What kind of driveability problems/symptoms are directly related to a faulty AT Modulator?

 

Besides the otherwise unexplainable loss of tranny fluid,

you may notice your eyes having a burning sensation if you are downwind of the exhaust.

Shift points of the tranny are at, (or pretty near), the same speed(s), regardless of throttle input, IE: 1st-2nd @ 25, 2nd-3rd @ XX whether your accelerating easily or harshly.

 

The vacuum modulator works with the govenor to set shift points of the tranny. It basically "reads" throttle input via vacuum. Atleast that's how it was explained to me years back.

[Loyale93v]

Besides the otherwise unexplainable loss of tranny fluid,

you may notice your eyes having a burning sensation if you are downwind of the exhaust.

Shift points of the tranny are at, (or pretty near), the same speed(s), regardless of throttle input, IE: 1st-2nd @ 25, 2nd-3rd @ XX whether your accelerating easily or harshly.

 

The vacuum modulator works with the govenor to set shift points of the tranny. It basically "reads" throttle input via vacuum. Atleast that's how it was explained to me years back.

 

what about power loss? or a dfinate "bogging out" during acceleration. are these symptoms at modulator related or should I be looking else where?

I have the AT MODULATOR on order via Subaru. It's due in this THURS. so we shall see I guess. I am also having a fuel filter delivered tomarrow. AS far as the AT Mod is concerned, I know it is faulty, but I would rather not just "throw parts" at the bogging out problem. but the fuel filter is part of a standard tune-up any ways. Thanks for everyones input, I am sure I will be posting more..cuz this site has proved very useful and informative!