Accidently drove Cvt with low fluid

teebeekay · 11-17-2019, 06:52 PM

I just bought a 2013 Outback with the 2.5 and the Cvt trans. I think the PO accidently drained the trans when doing an oil change and drove on it. The car starts but doesn't move and throws P0841, p0700, p0965 and p0966.

The oil dipstick was twice what it should be and I drained 3 qts to get to where it should be. I tried to fill the Cvt and got about 3.5 qts in before it started weeping out.

The good news is the trans refill got all the lights and codes to go away. However the tires don't spin in the air. I have yet to lower it and try driving.

Is there any chance the trans is still good or should I start shopping?

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Jack · 11-18-2019, 10:56 AM

Boy, this screams "Jiffy Lube" from the early 2000's with manuals before they went to T70's on the tranny drain bolt. Those clowns unbolt literally anything they seem to find, drain till it stops, then add oil. Overfilled oil with empty trans was the result. Jiffy Lube bought a lot of transmissions.

I don't know what the CVT drain bolt looks like, but if it's not a T type, chances are, Jiffy Lube struck.

D-Rodman · 11-19-2019, 04:31 PM

I hope you don’t need a new transmission, it’s a $7-8,000 part.

11-17-2019, 06:52 PM	#1
teebeekay Scooby Newbie Member#: 493474 Join Date: Nov 2018	Accidently drove Cvt with low fluid I just bought a 2013 Outback with the 2.5 and the Cvt trans. I think the PO accidently drained the trans when doing an oil change and drove on it. The car starts but doesn't move and throws P0841, p0700, p0965 and p0966. The oil dipstick was twice what it should be and I drained 3 qts to get to where it should be. I tried to fill the Cvt and got about 3.5 qts in before it started weeping out. The good news is the trans refill got all the lights and codes to go away. However the tires don't spin in the air. I have yet to lower it and try driving. Is there any chance the trans is still good or should I start shopping? * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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11-18-2019, 10:56 AM	#2
Jack Add Lightness Moderator Member#: 13699 Join Date: Dec 2001 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Hopkinton, MA Vehicle: not my president (From General)	Boy, this screams "Jiffy Lube" from the early 2000's with manuals before they went to T70's on the tranny drain bolt. Those clowns unbolt literally anything they seem to find, drain till it stops, then add oil. Overfilled oil with empty trans was the result. Jiffy Lube bought a lot of transmissions. I don't know what the CVT drain bolt looks like, but if it's not a T type, chances are, Jiffy Lube struck.

11-19-2019, 04:31 PM	#3
D-Rodman Scooby Specialist Member#: 110078 Join Date: Mar 2006 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Long Island N.Y. Vehicle: 05 Saabaru JDM STi Black Ver 7 VF48 6sp RA	I hope you don’t need a new transmission, it’s a $7-8,000 part.