Transmission Failure

BRADY · #1 04-07-2008, 11:56 PM

Well....IT happened. My Tranny went south. I thought I would have had more time with her.....

I have lost second and fourth gear - I have taken to an Automatic Transmission specialist who gave it the kiss of death.

Now, what should I be expecting to have to pay to have my tranny re-built, BETTER than new, here in NSW???

I am guessing over $3,000.

I thought my SVX was too good to be true!!!

AUSVX · #2 04-08-2008, 02:35 AM

if your car is in mint condition with 175000kms and that happened, then what am I in for!!

Would like to hear how it all goes and that price sounds about right... unfortunately

Jordan.

legacyau · #3 04-08-2008, 03:14 AM

Mine has got problems as well at 180K kms so dont feel lonely

for $3k you could go manual easy

Trevor · #4 04-08-2008, 05:51 AM

This side of the ditch, ballpark figure NZ$2k

Were you told exactly what is wrong? :confused Or only that it is headed this way. Not good enough from an expert.

AUSVX · #5 04-08-2008, 07:02 AM

i have to drive from Bondi out to Silverwater tomorrow and as dumb as i probably sound... im scared because mines done 227000kms and i get some small slips from 2nd into 3rd which probably happens every one in three times shifting. I wouldn't normally care about that problem but i wanna check out this infamous transmission "filter" first before i do any one hour plus trips.

McTaff · #6 04-08-2008, 07:55 PM

Just for scares: I did mine at around 130,000km. It was carrying on for the last 25,000km until it died, though.

Subaru themselves did mine (as stated in another thread) and it was around the $2k mark but this is at least six years ago. Subaru can tell you who was the original guys authorised to rebuilt the trannies; you freight yours down and they send you up an exchange one from Melbourne.

Most transmission places would be happy to have a bash at it, but to be honest I'd look at getting a good transmission specialist to really do it, not just "any auto place". There would be a mark-up on the price to get the good guys to do it but unless you really aren't thinking long term I'd be hesitant to spend any less.

If you are interested, I have a spare auto box up there in Sydney which hasn't seen the light of day in a couple of years. When I got it I was assured it was in working order however I am dubious and think it'd at the very least need a strip/service, and probably it'd need a bit of work as the oil levels haven't been checked inside and may have some scale buildup. If you want to buy it let me know. I'd be happy to let it go to you for the right price. (The original plan was to have it rebuilt with a shift kit and some heavier duty bits and packed into storage. Never got around to it, though.)

As for the 'filter' it is an inline oil filter and you are probably well advised to to a few things at the same time (i.e. install an oil cooler if you can, put a kit through the oil pump and replace the filter itself).

oab_au · #7 04-08-2008, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRADY

Well....IT happened. My Tranny went south. I thought I would have had more time with her.....

I have lost second and fourth gear - I have taken to an Automatic Transmission specialist who gave it the kiss of death.

Now, what should I be expecting to have to pay to have my tranny re-built, BETTER than new, here in NSW???

I am guessing over $3,000.

I thought my SVX was too good to be true!!!

Hi Mike, it would be worth adjusting the brake band to see if it can be recorvered, before you spend the big bucks.

It depends on how long you have been driving it with it slipping, but an adjustment can fix it.
Harvey.

oab_au · #8 04-08-2008, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by legacyau

Mine has got problems as well at 180K kms so dont feel lonely

for $3k you could go manual easy

I sent you a PM, yours is the brake band slipping also. As it has just started, going from 4th to 3rd, a band adjustment can fix it.

Harvey.

BRADY · #9 04-09-2008, 03:53 AM

Thanks guys

I have ordered a new AT filter and gasket from Subaru, as advised by DessertRunner and others here on this thread.

I will have this installed and the fluid flushed and replaced on Friday morning. If this fails to fix the problem I will then have the brake band adjusted.

It just happened literally overnight, which has led me to believe that I have hope that it will be one of the above things!!

I have hardly driven it since it started doing it on Friday, so I shouldn't have caused much damage if it is being starved of oil.

Meanwhile, I am back to driving my ol' Corolla AWD wagon!!

'E' · #10 04-09-2008, 04:50 AM

sounds like there could be alot of manual convertions on the horizon, if anyone is interested in me pricing up the parts for it then i would be happy to. i can source 6 speed sti boxes for $3000ish

Jamsvx · #11 04-10-2008, 03:03 PM

This is stretching the memory but I recall that it was a place called A&J Automotive (????) in Melbourne.

Either Penrith Subaru or Brookvale Subaru (where mine - now Jason's - had been done by the previous owner - at about 50,000km!) could tell you who it was if the techs are still around.

For the filter/cooler, there was a place in Greystanes/Merrylands on the Great Western Highway that did it - used an Outback auxillary filter kit (courtesy of Penrith Subaru) and had the place do the cooler install

Jason may have the receipts in the folders of documents that went with the car and could advise maybe where it was (it is just before a self storage place on the right as you head towards Penrith (you begin to head downhill)

They did a couple of SVX's - mine, Blakes (now Desertrunners) and some others so they knew what to do

Also, I also remember that there is some hose that can get damaged when the tranny is removed that stuffs up the climate control system so definitely would get somewhere that knows what they are doing.

Good luck

James

PS: 4 years since I sold mine - seems like only yesterday that I remember picking it up. Still my favourite car and I have had a few Mercs since (cheaper to use Mercs here than back in Oz! Except £122 to fill the tank - about AU$260 - is not funny!)

BRADY · #12 04-11-2008, 02:52 AM

Well, no joy yet....

Replaced the transmission fluid, replaced filter and gasket, cleaned sump.

Still not selecting 2nd or 4th.

During testing, I found that when cold, I could force it into 2nd by depressing the "manual" button, but it would just slip in 2nd. Only drive in 1st and 3rd. Reverse is OK too.

Ran diagnostic "code" test. No error codes showing up....

Described the problem to 2 independent Auto specialists over the phone.....

THEY think it may have "BROKEN" band or a failed sensor/solenoid....

I am running through this with DessertRunner but anyone else's input is always valued!!

Mike

Trevor · #13 04-11-2008, 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRADY

Well, no joy yet....

Replaced the transmission fluid, replaced filter and gasket, cleaned sump.

Still not selecting 2nd or 4th.

During testing, I found that when cold, I could force it into 2nd by depressing the "manual" button, but it would just slip in 2nd. Only drive in 1st and 3rd. Reverse is OK too.

Ran diagnostic "code" test. No error codes showing up....

Described the problem to 2 independent Auto specialists over the phone.....

THEY think it may have "BROKEN" band or a failed sensor/solenoid....

I am running through this with DessertRunner but anyone else's input is always valued!!

Mike

Mike don't give in,

A broken band is very, very unlikely, but worn probably and an adjustment may take up the resulting clearance. Go to the how too section, Transmission and Brake Band Adjustment for details.

There is no such animal as a "sensor solenoid". Several solenoid valves and several sensors, but no sensor solenoid. You have every reason to doubt the advice presented.

Best of luck with it, Trevor.

oab_au · #14 04-11-2008, 11:56 PM

As it happened suddenly, I tend to agree with the band being either broken or moved. You could try adjusting the band adjusting screw down, to see if you can wind it tight. If it is damaged, you won't get the band to tighten.
If you do get it to tighten, just adjust it and try it.
Harvey.
ps. Was there much lining flakes in the pan?

svxistentialist · #15 04-12-2008, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamsvx

James

PS: 4 years since I sold mine - seems like only yesterday that I remember picking it up. Still my favourite car and I have had a few Mercs since (cheaper to use Mercs here than back in Oz! Except £122 to fill the tank - about AU$260 - is not funny!)

Hello James

How is London? Cassie keeping well?

Mercs, eh? Sounds like you have reneged on The Faithful. I hope you come to your senses soon.

I hope you are running a turbo diesel, it keeps the running costs more reasonable.

If you fancy a nice silver and black '95 SVX I have one taking up space with current English tax.

Joe