Diagnosing this sound

[Chevaru]

Here is a link to what my 1997 Legacy Outback sounds like when it starts up...that odd rattle...whine (I have had a difficult time trying to describe it) goes away after about 15 seconds. It reappears as the transmission goes through the gears but doesn't seem to affect the shifts and it is intermittent and disappears when it is happening as the car rolls back and forth through sharp turns. I know a bit about cars but this has me baffled...I have thought it might be a bearing in the generator or power steering pump. Since it doesn't appear to affect performance, I'm wondering if I should spend money to find the culprit or just drive it until it manifests itself as a, hopefully, minor breakdown.
I'm guessing you guys and gals out there may have heard this before.

This link shows a 1998 Forester, which I'm guessing is carrying the same engine and transmission.
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthr ... ?t=1923863 (http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1923863)

[Huffer]

Check your exhaust heat shields are not rattling.

[chuckthefuk]

From that video posted on NASIOC... that looks 100% related to the 4EAT transmission.. forgot the noise look at how it idles and throws the revs up/down. That thread diagnosed that it is NOT the starter or the front diff.... so its either the Duty C Solenoid or the clutch packs.. either way not easy to replace.

There is no easy way to open a 4EAT and put it back together without extreme assistance.

-does your automatic transmission even have fluid in it?
-change the transmission fluid..
-inspect the old fluid for metal shavings.
-smell the fluid.. does it smell like its burnt?


Cheapest option is to find the 4EAT from a junkyard and swap it in... www.car-parts.com (http://www.car-parts.com)

You will pay $100's just for diagnostics.. and rebuild 4EATs cost and arm and a leg.

-Chuck

[Chevaru]

Transmission fluid was over capacity...drained a quart and added 10 ounces of LubeGard. The fluid I drained didn't have any metal shavings...the fluid didn't smell burnt...but then I don't know exactly what that might smell like and when you write the 4EAT is that the entire transmission or the guts?

[chuckthefuk]

entire assembly... 4-speed electronic automatic transmission and manuals is 5MT - 5-speed manual transmission.

-Chuck

[Huffer]

I still think you should put on some kevlar gloves, block the wheels and have someone sit in the car and put it in gear (foot on brake) while you tap around on the heatshields. Just be careful. But at least that way you can eliminate any loose metal rattles external from the 4EAT.

Might also be worth looking at how badly worn your engine and transmission mounts are; in my old 4EAT Legacy GT, whenever I went into gear it rattled until I installed a new trans mount. Rattled enough to loosen a heat shield.

[Baddog]

I still think you should put on some kevlar gloves, block the wheels and have someone sit in the car and put it in gear (foot on brake) while you tap around on the heatshields. Just be careful. But at least that way you can eliminate any loose metal rattles external from the 4EAT.

Might also be worth looking at how badly worn your engine and transmission mounts are; in my old 4EAT Legacy GT, whenever I went into gear it rattled until I installed a new trans mount. Rattled enough to loosen a heat shield.

How hard is it to install trans mounts?

[Huffer]

Depends on how rusty things are, your toolset and your patience. On average, about an hour to do a trans mount if your're prepared.