Mike:  I'm running a 99 ej25 in my 91 multivan and had difficulty with my
auto trans a couple years ago.  Wouldn't shift into 3rd so the family and i
got to enjoy the back roads from Hamilton, Montana to Portland, Oregon at a
sightseeing speed of 40 mph!
Removed the trans myself and took it into a local rebuilder.  Got it back
and installed.  One month later the failure started recurring so i drove
the van over and told him the rest was on him.  The second time he did a
great job but forgot to tighten the grounding strap very near the
tranny/frame mount.
The result was a weak or no start condition that i chased for a good week.
Whatever you do, doublecheck the things that you can get to once someone
works on your van!!!
Best of luck to you,
Brent

On Sat, Apr 9, 2016 at 10:35 AM, Michael <mikewelldon@icloud.com> wrote:

> Many of you have replied with your expertise on the matter of a blown
> tranny on an 88 auto. Or at least those kind of symptoms.
>
> Now here is a new development. I wanted to check to see if I could tell if
> ATF was mixing with the differential so I unscrewed the drain plug and oil
> literally came gushing out. When I closed it after filling a couple weeks
> ago,it was a trickle which I believe means it was filled with close to the
> 1.3 quarts that is recommended.
>
> Now, I also changed out the engine oil (it's an ej22 Subaru) and filled
> that up right. Well, the engine oil is half gone and I believe that's what
> was in the differential section. No visible leaks anywhere.
>
> Hard to tell if ATF was mixed in based on the Amberness of synthetic
> engine oil and the purple color of the diff oil. Plus, it's quite
> surprising when oil comes flying at your face while under the van.
>
> I don't really know what this could mean other than probably a good deal
> of money to fix it.
>
> Any ideas on the matter?
>
> Mike

--
Brent Weide
Portland, Oregon
www.weidefamily.net/vanagon/