[snn221]

They probably meant factory new. Don't know for sure. I don't hear about CVT's being rebuilt much, but only replaced. I ordered a solenoid off eBay:

Pardon Our Interruption...

Its a $71 test basically. Compared to a $10k new trans installed on a car with "other problems".

To Subaru's credit, I've maintained my mother's 2016 Outback 2.5L since about 30k miles and its really nice, running well at about 100k miles.

This Crosstrek was a lemon from a shady used car dealer, I think.

I think it had known problems when it was sold. Oil in the coolant.

I did the head gasket myself a couple years ago, using a machine shop for a couple things.

But still more problems... so sad... I recommended to him a AWD highlander... don't stone me here at XV Forum....

 

[snn221]

@CRAZYHAWK

There are videos on YouTube of people replacing only the solenoid.

Remanufactured valve bodies I was looking at are about 400. Or Subaru genuine about 800.

2013-2014 XV Crosstrek 2.0L TR580 CVT Transmission Complete Valve Body 31825AA050 31825AA052 31825AA051 Generic

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31825AA050 - Subaru Parts Deal

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But if there's more damage to the whole transmission, or anything else, why drop 400?

For $71 solenoid, I'm going to test drive it and see what the difference is. I don't think the owner wants to drop 10K or 5.8 k on this car.

The valve body is on top of the transmission on the TR580 so I would not have to drain the fluid to do this.

 

[snn221]

@77'911 Do you own a 1977 Porsche 911?

 

[snn221]

@77'911

Fun =)

And you're on XV Forum so I surmise you are a boxer engine lover?

 

[snn221]

Yeah I figured why I spend $400 on a valve body if a solenoid is bad. Throwing out that huge chunk of metal.

I bought my solenoid from eBay. The seller had both aftermarket and genuine solenoids. I contacted him. This one is the orange and black wires for the AWD.

Pardon Our Interruption...

I've replaced the solenoid in the valve body, and reinstalled the valve body, but I have not completely reassembled everything, and I need to get CVT fluid because I drained it all out. Also I want to remove the transmission pan and clean the metal detrius, and get a paper gasket by Transtech. I've used one before on an outback.

Transtec B11610 Transmission Pan Gasket (fiber) Tr580 09-17 for sale online | eBay

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@RatRod69 less than an hour? That's champ level.

 

[snn221]

@RatRod69

What's parts of the restoration do you do, and what do you outsource?

Well, I hope my results are the same as yours: 206k miles. This one is currently at 111k miles-- and since this is a relative's first used car purchase, he is very attached to it. =)

206k miles, at this point, would be a victory, seeing that he was quoted $10k for a new transmission, and was very close to pulling the trigger, until I talked some sense into him. It was purchased for $17k with 81k miles, so it would end up being a lemon money pit car if it needs a new transmission.

Any Subaru specific knowledge on how replacing the whole valve body can be useful with a known bad solenoid code P0971? I know the fluid channels can have issues with metallic debris in the fluid. Buy any real life knowledge on the benefits of replacing the whole valve body? $800 Subaru OEM, $400 reman.

I just dropped the trans pan, first time ever for this car, and its magnetic donut had quite a lot of metal detritus. Also underneath the valve body there was quite a bit of metal detritus, but it didn't seem super abnormal. I tried to clean it out. Happy to get that metal out before I put Lucas CVT in it and try to flush the torque converter a bit before its done.

 

[snn221]

@RatRod69 Damn, you do paint too? you have a room setup? crazy. fun.

The filter on the TR580 CVT is inside not easily serviceable, I believe. There's a screen on the bottom though under the pan.

 

[snn221]

I was told by a Subaru parts department that this was a screen not a filter and that the filter is internal.

But this one looks pretty dirty so I should probably replace it.

 

[snn221]

@RatRod69 "In my book, if you opened the transmission to access that, it's internal." That's a good point.

But I meant more "opening up the whole transmission type of internal" which requires removing the whole transmission as well, as far as I know.

Transmission pan is pretty easy. Transmission filters are a common replacement when they are under the pan.

The one below on a TR580 is called a "strainer":

"Some Subaru transmissions have a small canister filter on the outside. Looks just like a small oil filter." Wish this one did as well, because it most likely needs it, and it would probably improve the driving like in your case.

A relatives 2012 odyssey had the 6-speed version with an external transmission filter, easy replacement, while the 2012 odyssey 5-speeds had internal non serviceable transmission filters. I cut it open too to see how dirty it was (@ 105k miles).

I've never rebuild or removed a transmission. I do have a trans jack though.

But I am willing to remove this TR580 and replace it with a used eBay one, in the case that nothing I do will fix it. Instead of my relative dropping $10K at a trans shop.

 

[snn221]

Also anybody have knowledge on how to drain the torque converter tr580?

 

[snn221]

@Kcross47601

The link I gave above is a genuine solenoid.

Genuine

Pardon Our Interruption...

I contacted the seller to ask him about it. Its installed, and working fine. I test drove it twice, second time a lot harder.

I also used 8 quarts of Lucas CVT fluid. So I am going to do a CVT fluid flush when more Lucas CVT gets here to get all the old Subaru OEM fluid out.

But it ran great, no more P0971 code, no more weak acceleration. No more traction control light coming on. And the Solenoid definitely was bad, 250 ohms resistance.

I am surprised. It shipped quick. I would not hesitate to use that part above. I can't vouch for any other parts, but I was looking around on amazon and ebay, also. Also I read that TransGo sells OEM solenoids to businesses, but I could not find them listed.

There's a picture above with both new and old solenoids next to each other.

There are 4 solenoids on the valve body, they are not all the same, you have to get the right one, with the right resistance.

The standard method is to replace the whole valve body. OEM is like $850, reman is like $450. You could go the safe route and just get a whole new valve body with all new solenoids.

 

[snn221]

Speaking of doing a fluid flush, I don't know which CVT cooler hose is which, so I was just going to take them both off and hose both into a bucket when I am flushing the torque converter.

 

[snn221]

Update:

Crosstrek is back to its owner.

Finished getting the Lucas CVT fluid into the trans (35-45 C temp method), and getting most of the old OEM fluid out. Did front and rear diff fluid and oil change + air filters. Ran great, test drove it 100+ miles last night. No codes. Shifted fine. Power delivery seemed normal. Thanks to all who helped, especially @RatRod69. Glad I could find a OEM solenoid on eBay to fix this. Thanks Suby DIYers.

For those with similar problems, a solenoid or valve body replacement can solve the problem. But I would HIGHLY recommend that the transmission pan is removed, and the pan and magnet are cleaned from metal detritus in the process. Paper gaskets are available, you don't have to do the liquid gasket. Also some aftermarket CVT fluids may perform better, so you may want to get a better CVT fluid in there along the way.

 

[snn221]

I don't know but I know that you should not take it to a regular transmission shop but take it to a Subaru dealer for a diagnosis even though it's $200 they know way more about their cars

 

[snn221]

I did not have the p0700 code so I can't be of too much help to you I only had the other code

 

[snn221]

Even if you do the work yourself getting a really really good diagnosis is worth its weight in gold

 

[snn221]

And maybe more than the valve body so that's a tough one