# Whine coming from transmission on H6 Subaru Outback

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/whine-coming-from-transmission-on-h6-subaru-outback/24781>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [January 12, 2009, 3:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/whine-coming-from-transmission-on-h6-subaru-outback/24781 "2009-01-12T15:15:25Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![hamiltom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c6cbf5/32.png) [@hamiltom](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hamiltom)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 3:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/whine-coming-from-transmission-on-h6-subaru-outback/24781/1 "2009-01-12T15:15:25Z")

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I have a 2002 LL Bean outback with an automatic transmission and the H6 engine and 160k+ miles. Recently the transmission has been making a low pitched whine (sounds like bearings) when driving. The mechanic at the dealership told me I need a new transmission ($3700).  
  
  
  
 1) Is $3700 a reasonable cost or can a rebuilt transmission be gotten cheaper?  
  
 2) I recently had the timing chain replaced which required the engine be dropped out to get to it. Could this have caused the transmission problem?

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**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 4:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/whine-coming-from-transmission-on-h6-subaru-outback/24781/2 "2009-01-12T16:46:53Z")

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1. Go to an independent automatic transmission shop that has been in business for at least three years (NOT AAMCO, Lee Myles, Cottman, or any other chain operation). If you really do need a trans rebuild, the price at an independent shop will be far cheaper.

2. This is unlikely to be connected.

Incidentally, are you the original owner? I ask because having to replace both a timing chain (which is rare) and a transmission could indicate that the car was abused and/or improperly maintained by a previous owner.

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**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 4:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/whine-coming-from-transmission-on-h6-subaru-outback/24781/3 "2009-01-12T16:55:23Z")

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Questions first. (And don’t drive the car at this point)

Did the whine originate quickly or was it gradually over time?  
History of oil changes, Quick Lube visits, etc.?

There’s a reason for the questions.