Transmission additives. - Sloppy trans

[nickmcgill]

Good day,

I had a thread on here awhile back about issues with my trans having lumpy shifts etc.

I noticed this evening with the colder weather it had improved compared to the recent 25c days.

Thorpy advised it might need some additives to help it along.

FYI regular trans services every 30k for the past 5 years.

Last service was 10k or so ago.

Genuine trans filter used although some people say these don\'t need to be replaced.

Trans has done 275km.

Here are some he linked me :

http://www.autoparts2020.com/rsdev/part_detail.jsp?PART_HDR_ID=28504

http://www.lucasoil.com/products/display_products.sd?iid=29&catid=2&loc=show

Has anyone used these in a Subaru before or had similar issues which this has helped ?

(See most recent post 25/06)

[DRFVDR]

What oil are you using ? if it is better on cooler/warmer days then the oil that you are using is not the correct type.

I can not suggest using any additives as they a/ usually mask an issue or b/ cost alot to help not at all.

[nickmcgill]

I\'m not sure what oil it\'s got.

Armstrongs did the last change so I wouldn\'t expect they would be using the wrong one.

Perhaps it needs a thicker one.

[DacerX]

Get the right one and drain your one and put it in and see if it cures it

[nickmcgill]

What is the right one ?

It\'s been doing it for years so I doubt it\'s the fluid type.

[DacerX]

yeah so it sounds like they are putting the wrong fluid in, must be for a pergoet

[thorpy]

I think the fact is your trans if probably half fuxed Nick , its probably a good idea to go and have a chat to someone like Precision Automatics and get their advice.

Yes additives only mask the issue ( i.e.. screwed trans ) but could be a cheap way to get a bit more life out of it.

[Timmah]

Go manual ;D

[Subirex Automotive]

 nickmcgill said:

What is the right one ?

It\'s been doing it for years so I doubt it\'s the fluid type.

castrol TQ95 or dextron 3

[mondo]

You have had a good run out of it at 275k, put up with it or put a lower K used one in.

[Marky]

Masking the problem is all goods so long as youre aware its not a *fix* as such

Ive used that "gear up" stuff in the past - always thought it was just a load of bollox till I tried it myself, helped a few crook boxes along, theres a few products similar out there. They arent a fix but are much cheaper and simpler than a rebuild or replace.

Only time Ive had experience with an auto was when I used it in my courier caldina which did massive kms (400 per day when busy), itmade a very noticable difference, felt like a cvt box after that, no snatching/jerking/surging etc like it had started to develop.

That said option b is finding a low km replacement box, but that would involve getting your hands dirty

[nickmcgill]

I\'ve had offers of a second hand trans but would be looking at well over 1k to ship + install it which I don\'t have the money for without selling a kidney.

If anyone knows a good place to sell kidneys let me know.

[nickmcgill]

I thought I would dig this up again as I\'ve had some interesting progress on this that I would be interested to know what people think.

For the past week I\'ve been running my car without the ABS fuse connected which was removed for the impending snow doom.

On the little sticker that shows what fuse is what also says that ABS also controls VDC.

To my knowledge my car doesn\'t have VDC, the VDC light also doesn\'t come on with the fuse removed. (Bulb might be bust afaik)

Since removing this my shifting in both auto and trip is significantly "tighter" and more responsive.

Does anyone that know much about the electrical side of things for these ?

Most people I\'ve asked have been unsure.

00\' BE5 Rev B I believe.

Cheers.

[Nachoooo]

Sorry for the possibly silly question, but guessing it\'s a Legacy/Lancaster of sorts? If it\'s an 00\' year, it should be a Rev C...? As far as I know the BE/BH were Rev C and Rev D. And if anyone else can verify this, but I think they print VDC on the fuse box anyway, but it only serves it\'s purpose if the car is fitted with VDC. When you turn your key to ignition on but not starting, you should see 2 illuminated icons if you\'ve got VDC, a car with squiggly skids, and a VDC OFF icon. If they light up with everything else on start up, you\'ll have VDC fitted.

[nickmcgill]

I\'ve been meaning to check that but keep forgetting to.

From memory it has VDC in letters on the dash but I know the icon you\'re meaning.

[D-Style]

 Nachoooo said:

Sorry for the possibly silly question, but guessing it\'s a Legacy/Lancaster of sorts? If it\'s an 00\' year, it should be a Rev C...? As far as I know the BE/BH were Rev C and Rev D. And if anyone else can verify this, but I think they print VDC on the fuse box anyway, but it only serves it\'s purpose if the car is fitted with VDC. When you turn your key to ignition on but not starting, you should see 2 illuminated icons if you\'ve got VDC, a car with squiggly skids, and a VDC OFF icon. If they light up with everything else on start up, you\'ll have VDC fitted.

\'00 BE/BH should be rev B. \'01 rev C. And 02 Rev D.