Transmission final drive?

GRIM6910

MEMBER
1998 SUBARU LEGACY
2.2L
4 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
245,000 MILES

Push the throttle from a stop, RPMs go up and get little to no go. Strong smell of gl5. No leaks and all fluid is where it should be. I bought the car at 219,000 and have only changed the oil. Transmission and gear oil look and smell fine. Not throwing any codes.

5 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,867 POSTS

Hi,

If the fluid is good and clean, either we have low line pressure or the clutches are worn, causing it to slip.

Can you tell me approximately where the gear lube smell is coming from? It's odd that you only smell it when trying to move the vehicle. Actually, it's odd to smell it in general. Are you sure the smell isn't clutch plates slipping and overheating?

Let me know.

Joe

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Sunday, September 17th, 2023 AT 2:19 PM

GRIM6910

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I only smelled it the one time, but it was definitely gear oil. It smelled in the cab for at least 10 minutes until I got home and when I opened the hood, it was pungent in the engine bay as well. I couldn't tell where exactly it was coming from and there were no leaks. Could doing a transmission flush and filter change help the clutches any or are they soon to be gone? I have never changed the ATF since I bought the car 3 years and almost 30,000 miles ago. It has never smelled burnt nor changed color.

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Sunday, September 17th, 2023 AT 9:20 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,867 POSTS

Hi,

If it is in fact the clutch plates that are worn to this degree, checking the fluid won't change anything. The gear lube odor you mentioned has me confused. If the odor was that strong, I would think you would see a leak. However, if it is gear lube, that wouldn't change how the transmission is acting.

There is a duty pressure solenoid in the transmission that can cause pressure issues, but I don't like replacing parts and guessing. (See pic 1)

Do you have a live data scan tool that can communicate with the transmission control module?

Let me know,

Joe

See pic below.

Image (Click to make bigger)

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Monday, September 18th, 2023 AT 1:18 PM

GRIM6910

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3 POSTS

I do not have a live data scan tool. What kind should I get that is possibly under $100 or can I rent one somewhere like O'Reillys?

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Monday, September 18th, 2023 AT 5:45 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,867 POSTS

Hi,

You could check the auto parts store. I don't know what they have available. As far as scanners, go to Amazon. You can get a good one for under 100 dollars easily. When you view options, just make sure they indicate live data. Also, if you can, get one that can recognize CAN (controller area networks). That type will retrieve codes from multiple modules rather than just the powertrain control module.

Let me know if I can help.

Joe