Front Differential Fluid change (4EAT)

[Wiscon_Mark]

My friend has a 99 Impreza OBS, with the 4EAT, and we were doing fluid changes on his 4EAT and the differentials. It was pretty routine, nothing complicated. But when we got to the front diff, we couldn't find the dipstick/filler neck (I did find the drain plug). The owners manual and the 99 FSM have it right below the air intake line on the passenger side, but there's nothing there. We scoured the entire engine bay and couldn't find anything. BTW, this is a 2.2L engine, FWIW.

Has anyone run into this?

[Huffer]

The 4EAT center diff dip stick is on the opposite side of the engine bay of the oil fill tube (the passenger side IIRC).

Unless the dip stick is missing, it'll be there, but it's right down on the trans. It might be covered by grime.

[harrymaneuvers]

^ This

If you have the airbox off the plenum, the dipstick will be ontop of the tranny just behind the bell housing and slightly to the passanger side.

The dipstick doesnt protrude too far out of the tranny so you might have to look closely.

Here is what the dipstick looks like... you will only be able to see the finger loop though:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/09/attachmentphpattachmentid73766d125385587-1.jpg

[Wiscon_Mark]

Yep, nothing like that anywhere. I checked again today. Here are some pictures of the engine for your reference:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/03/20120322161442-1.jpg

Some shots of the area where it should be according to the FSMs & owner's manual:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/03/20120322161421-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/03/20120322161324-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/03/20120322161318-1.jpg

Yes, I know a boot is torn. We're replacing the axle soonish.

[harrymaneuvers]

Check the other side then...

Here is a photo of where it should be and is on mine.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/03/IMG_6916-1.jpg

http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/8961/dsc2794bn4co2.jpg

[Huffer]

Yeah Mark - you have to look back further behind the axle, on top. It's easiest to get to by removing the air intake plumbing.