Transmission Cooler Hoses, filler location, and fluid type?

[Gpruitt54]

My 2010 Legacy needs one of these one hoses for Transmission Oil Cooling. These are rubber hoses with spring clips on either end. Only one is leaking, but I intend to replace both. From the passenger side of the engine bay, I can look and see them both. Both hoses together are about $50.00 bucks. The dealer wants to charge more $500.00 to replace them. Is that “F”ing insane or what!

 

Anyway. There are two issues that concerns me. With the current leaking, and once I remove the hoses, I will lose some amount of fluid from the lines. I will need to add more transmission fluid. My concerns are the kind of trans fluid needed and where is the filler cap?

 

I understand these cars use some special kind of fluid (Figures). What kind of fluid is it? Also, where is the transmission fluid filler?

 

 

[dgoodhue]

The fluid depends on which transmission you have. Do you have 2.5i CVT? or 3.6R 5EAT?

[Gpruitt54]

The fluid depends on which transmission you have. Do you have 2.5i CVT? or 3.6R 5EAT?

 

I bought the car used. First time Subaru owner. So, I am not sure. How do I determine which engine I have?

[creep_nu]

well, do you have a 4 cylinder or 6 cylinder? all of the 4 cylinders have CVTs and the 6 cyl has a standard torque converter transmission

[Gpruitt54]

well, do you have a 4 cylinder or 6 cylinder? all of the 4 cylinders have CVTs and the 6 cyl has a standard torque converter transmission

 

I believe it is a 4 cylinder. It is nearly impossible to see the spark plug wires. So, I am guessing. Though, the acceleration performance leans towards 4 cylinders. Is there a sticker someplace on the car with information about the engine?

[dgoodhue]

It doesn't have spark plug wires, this generation has coils that are directly connected to the spark plugs. The 2.5i have 4 intake runner tubes, The 3.6R have a cover but would have 6 intake tubes under the cover. It is likely that you have 2.5i CVT and will need Subaru CVT fluid.

 

Honestly if it you are having this hard of a time figuring out the engine, you probably should be not changing the transmission lines. What happens if something doesn't go right? I would recommend an independent mechanic, you may get a better price.

[DougKelly20]

Take the engine cover off and count how many intake runners it has....or look up your VIN online.

 

Edit, sorry just saw the above posted at the same time, it's a better answer, just ignore me, haha.

[Scubaboo]

Yes OP, no offense, you may want to get experienced help for this one. There are even cases of diy'rs confusing the front differential for the transmission and filling one when they want to fill the other.

[Gpruitt54]

At this stage, I am trying to get my bearings and understanding components of the car. I would not start any project until I fully understood all elements.

[Scubaboo]

Another way is to check the rear bumper. The 3.6 has dual mufflers while the 2.5i has only one.

 

5EAT has a dipstick and IIRC the CVT is filled through a filler port till fluid comes out of it while the car is idling.

 

Here's a thread on CVT fluid changes, it has pictures of where the plugs are.

 

https://www.subaruoutback.org/threads/2011-2-5i-cvt-and-differential-fluid-change.52020/