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SERVICE BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY: 2010-19MY Legacy and Outback
2014-19MY Forester
2012-19MY Impreza
2013-19MY Crosstrek
2015-19MY WRX
2019-20MY Ascent

NUMBER: 16-103-16R
DATE: 12/14/16
REVISED: 08/29/19

SUBJECT: Transmission Fluid Seepage
INTRODUCTION:
This bulletin has been developed in response to a small number of customer concerns regarding
fluid seepage found coming from the CVT assembly. Investigation has identified likely sources of
the seepage to be the sealant used on the CVT’s oil pump chain cover and the input shaft oil seal.
The repair involves chain cover removal, a thorough cleaning and inspection of the sealing surfaces
followed by re-sealing the cover and replacement of the input shaft oil seal with the new, redesigned
type.
PRODUCTION CHANGE INFORMATION:
The available starting VINS for incorporation of the new input shaft oil
seal are supplied to the right. This bulletin will be revised with the VINs
for the remaining applicable models as they become available.

Model

Starting VIN

Legacy

L3002280

Outback

L3100230

Ascent

L3407153

PART INFORMATION:
Description

Part Number

THREE BOND 1215

SOA868V9600

RING SEAL

31377AA510

OIL SEAL

806747030

SERVICE PROCEDURE / INFORMATION:
As a first step, during inspection of the customer’s concern, confirm the fluid found to be seeping is
CVT fluid (CVTF) and not engine oil. The photos below are examples of where CVTF seepage may
be evident.
Continued...
CAUTION: VEHICLE SERVICING PERFORMED BY UNTRAINED PERSONS COULD
RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY TO THOSE PERSONS OR TO OTHERS.
Subaru Service Bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians ONLY. They
are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur in some vehicles,
or to provide information that could assist in the proper servicing of the vehicle. Properly
trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to
do the job correctly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that this
Service Bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition.

Bulletin Number: 16-103-16R; Revised 08/29/19

SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. IS
ISO 14001 COMPLIANT
ISO 14001 is the international standard for
excellence in Environmental Management
Systems. Please recycle or dispose of
automotive products in a manner that is friendly
to our environment and in accordance with all
local, state and federal laws and regulations.

Page 1 of 6

•

Once the inspection has confirmed the seepage is CVTF, remove the CVT assembly
following the procedure outlined in the applicable Service Manual.

•

CAREFULLY remove the torque converter from the CVT and inspect the area of the oil
pump chain cover as indicated in the photo below for any accumulation of CVTF and road
dirt which may also have collected in the area.

NOTE: A small amount of fresh CVT fluid may appear near the 6:00 position of the seal area during
removal of the torque converter (GREEN circle).

Seepage
Point
Fluid “Flows”
to Low Point

Seepage Out to
Converter Case

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 16-103-16R; Revised 08/29/19

Page 2 of 6

•

Remove the 7- (TR690) or 10- (TR580) 12mm hex bolts securing the oil pump chain cover.

TR690

•

TR580

Using a prying tool, CAREFULLY pry (GREEN arrows) the cover loose from the housing.
Pry ONLY on the specific areas or “tabs” of the pump cover indicated by the BLUE arrows.
When the cover starts to come loose, continue to pry ONLY on the tabs and not the machined
sealing surface of the cover.

Prying Tool

TR580

TR690
Prying Tool

•

CAREFULLY remove all residual sealant completely
from the cover and mating surface of the housing. DO
NOT use any abrasive or gasket removal / cleaning
discs. Use the adhesive side of a piece of duct tape
(or equivalent) to pick up any loose pieces of sealant
material which may be found in the cavity around the
stator support. DO NOT use compressed air.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 16-103-16R; Revised 08/29/19

Page 3 of 6

•

Take note of how the sealant on the removed cover forms an additional “seal” when it
becomes displaced into the chamfer around the inside edge of the case’s machined surface
at assembly.

•

Inspect both of the machined sealing surfaces closely for irregularities. If necessary, replace
the cover following the applicable Service Manual procedures.
NOTE: Should the cover need to be replaced, always confirm the new part has the new-style
input shaft seal with the additional side lip as described below before installation.

•

IMPORTANT: Before reassembly, always replace the ONE TIME USE plastic sealing ring
on the center support and thoroughly lubricate it with CVT fluid.

•

The re-designed input shaft oil seal has a new side lip added to
supplement the existing main seal lip. The purpose of the additional side
lip is to direct the flow of dust and water around the seal and away from
the sealing surfaces.
Apply CVT fluid to the main seal lip only before installation.
When installing this new seal, it is STRONGLY recommended to
use the proper installer tool **OPTIONAL Special Tool 927890000
as shown in the illustration below. Otherwise, If the seal were to be
installed too deep into the bore of the chain cover (beyond flush with
the chain cover edge as shown below), the oil passage may become
restricted or blocked.

•
•

Oil Seal is installed flush
with edge of chain cover
and oil passage is clear.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 16-103-16R; Revised 08/29/19

Page 4 of 6

•

Once both surfaces and the area surrounding the cover are completely clean, dry and the new
input seal is properly installed, CAREFULLY apply the new sealant bead to the cover along
the edge of the chamfer as shown below.

DO NOT apply sealer
around the arrowed hole.

DO NOT apply sealer
around the arrowed hole.
TR580

TR690

NOTE: As shown above, a properly applied, small bead of sealant will fill in the chamfered portion
after the cover is installed. Do not use an excessive amount of sealant.
•

On the TR690, there are 2 different length bolts for the pump cover. Make sure the proper
length bolts (A and B) are in their respective holes as shown below. Torque to
24 Nm (17.7 ft. lbs) in a crossing pattern.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 16-103-16R; Revised 08/29/19

Page 5 of 6

•

For the TR580 (all 10 cover bolts are the same length), apply the sealer, (EXCEPT for the
arrowed hole), reinstall the cover and torque the bolts to 21 Nm (15.5 ft. lbs.) in a crossing
pattern.

•

CAREFULLY reinstall the torque converter and the CVT assembly in reverse order of
removal following the service procedure in the applicable Service Manual.

•

Road test to confirm the repair and proper vehicle operation.

WARRANTY / CLAIM INFORMATION:
For vehicles within the Basic New Car Limited or Powertrain Limited Warranty period or covered by
an active Subaru Added Security Powertrain, Classic or Gold plan, this repair may be submitted using
the following claim information:
Labor Description

CVT R&R and RESEAL of
OIL PUMP CHAIN COVER
Includes: CVT assembly R&R,
chain cover R&R, cleaning,
center support seal ring, input
shaft oil seal replacement and
reseal

CHAIN COVER REPLACE
(ONLY if determined necessary
after cleaning and inspection)

Labor
Operation #

B303-135

C303-136

Applicability

Labor
Time

2010-12MY Legacy / Outback 2.5 and 3.6L

4.2

2014-19MY Forester 2.5L

3.9

2014-18MY Forester 2.0L DIT

4.5

2012-16MY Impreza

3.5

2017-19MY Impreza

4.8

2013-17MY Crosstrek

3.5

2018-19MY Crosstrek

4.8

2019MY Ascent

4.1

2015-19MY WRX

4

All

0.1

Fail
Code

MTZ-34

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
•

SOA strongly discourages the printing and/or local storage of service information as previously
released information and electronic publications may be updated at any time.

•

Always check for any open recalls or campaigns anytime a vehicle is in for servicing.

•

Always refer to STIS for the latest service information before performing any repairs.

Bulletin Number: 16-103-16R; Revised 08/29/19

Page 6 of 6