Ooops: accidentally put motor oil in the AT.

[john70t]

I managed to grab the container where the AT fluid was supposed to be:
1)Open hood, get dog out of car, grab container, answer phone.
2)Pour.
3)Look at container color. Doh!
4)Stop.

I think I only added about 1/8th to 1/4 of a pint of 5W-30 into a Subaru trans, but it was running and circulated.
Any damage done?

[Walter_Middie]

John,

I wouldn't drive it anywhere - I'd drain what's in there, re-fill with new ATF, run it in neutral for awhile, then drain and re-fill again.

If the oil gets on the clutches, they will soak it up and start to slip. Once they start to slip, they will get hot and destroy themselves very quickly. Not what you wanted to hear, but I've rebuilt a few autos that this has happened to.

[M.D. Holloway]

Years ago Allison started building automatic transmissions that actually used engine oil. Still in use today in school buses - Allison C-4 transmissions.

Walter gives good advice.

[vash]

i would take it to a place that pumps it out, and changes out 99.99% of the stuff. i have come close, but have yet to eff up. i recently took all my ATF to the household hazmat place. why have it around?

[M.D. Holloway]

unless the tramsmission was engaged, I don't think you will have any lasting issues. If you drove it like that the cahnces of damage are not really great but you may not be able to experience a shift due to clutch slip. ATF has certain types of chemicals that give the oil a certain amount of 'grip'. The same reason you couldn;t use regular transmission oil in place of an ATF - the clutch would slip.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by LubeMaster77

Years ago Allison started building automatic transmissions that actually used engine oil. Still in use today in school buses - Allison C-4 transmissions.

Walter gives good advice.

I worked on variable-vane torque converters for Large Gas Turbines. These would allow megawatts of power to be transferred from the starting motor to the GT. They used plain old turbine oil.

Once the unit was up to speed, valves shutoff the flow of oil and the torque converter would drain of all oil, disconnecting the turbine and the motor.

It's too bad that technology isn't used on cars.

[M.D. Holloway]

I think it is used in a way for big haul trucks.

[john70t]

Ok, off to the store. Thanks fellows.

[Por_sha911]

This is a good time to change the trans filter while you're at it. I'd let that thing drain as long as you can and plan on doing another change in the near future.

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by vash

i would take it to a place that pumps it out, and changes out 99.99% of the stuff. i have come close, but have yet to eff up. i recently took all my ATF to the household hazmat place. why have it around?

Hell, just pour a few ounces into the tank whenever you fill up...it's very close to "marvel mystery oil" in composition.

(edit) Call the transmission shops in your area, ask if they have the equipment for a total FLUSH of the trans fluid. Most normal mechanic's shops leave a lot of fluid in the torque converter if they do a drain & fluid change.

[mattdavis11]

Originally Posted by vash

i recently took all my ATF to the household hazmat place. why have it around?

You may never, but one day your Toyota may need some fluid in the power steering reservoir. Most people that use their Toyota appropriately usually have to b/c they blow a line. Sometimes trees and rocks tear stuff up. Unless they (Toyota) changed something they've done for the last several decades, it doesn't take power steering fluid, it takes ATF and PS fluid screws up the pump seals.

Just an FYI.

[vash]

Originally Posted by mattdavis11

You may never, but one day your Toyota may need some fluid in the power steering reservoir. Most people that use their Toyota appropriately usually have to b/c they blow a line. Sometimes trees and rocks tear stuff up. Unless they (Toyota) changed something they've done for the last several decades, it doesn't take power steering fluid, it takes ATF and PS fluid screws up the pump seals.

Just an FYI.

did not know any of this...thanks!!!

[aigel]

Does the Subaru have a drain plug in the torque converter? All the American iron (RWD) usually has. Unless you drain the torque converter too, you will only get a fraction of the fluid out. I second the guys who say you need pro advice to get it all out. Trans fluid and engine oil have very different properties.

George