V8 Yamaha Transmission

cdnvolvo · Post by **cdnvolvo** » 25 Feb 2009, 11:28

I'll be towing a fair bit with my XC V8 and I realize that Volvo says they are one of those 'should never need service' units.
I've had good reliablility on a couple previous vehicles I've towed with by doing a quick trans oil change occassionally, usually around every 20k kms or so. By quick, I mean a simple drain and fill. (only about 2 litres comes out the drain hole, add 2 litres back in the dipstick... not flushing completely)
This has kept the oil very clean looking before it gets brown and burnt looking/smelling and I've got from 200 to 400k kms of trouble free miles out of them, a lot of that towing.
So far, I haven't even found a dipstick for the transmission, so is it possible to do this with this one? Can someone provide a how-to? I know it takes the 3309 type fluid, so it should be possible.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 25 Feb 2009, 19:59

The little yellow dipstick handle is way down low below the air intake piping...just off center of from your engine, towards the front of the car and to the right...it is hard to see- it also has a catch on it...you'll have to grab it under the handle to turn the catch loose. I think a drain and fill is good preventative maintenance- I would be tempted to do that ever other oil change- When you do this, also suck the fluid out of your power steering pump and replace the exact same amount with Volvo's fluid. Never buy the line that these are all closed systems and never need attention- that's a sure receipt for a malfunction/replacement.

cdnvolvo · Post by **cdnvolvo** » 26 Feb 2009, 04:50

MadeInJapan wrote:The little yellow dipstick handle is way down low below the air intake piping...just off center of from your engine, towards the front of the car and to the right...it is hard to see- it also has a catch on it...you'll have to grab it under the handle to turn the catch loose. I think a drain and fill is good preventative maintenance- I would be tempted to do that ever other oil change- When you do this, also suck the fluid out of your power steering pump and replace the exact same amount with Volvo's fluid. Never buy the line that these are all closed systems and never need attention- that's a sure receipt for a malfunction/replacement.

Thanks for the reply M.I.J.
Are you a Volvo tech by any chance? I did look in the area you suggest, where the V70's is, but it wasn't to obvious. I'll take a better look with some good glasses on this time. Any idea how much oil should come out?
I've only had the V8 for a month and haven't even done an engine oil change on it yet as it got one before I picked it up.
On the topic of oil (hope it doesn't start a big oil thread discussion)... Volvo recommends Castrol synth. I've never really liked Castrol dyno oil in the past as it seemed to create a lot of grey condensation gook inside the filler cap/valve cover. I do live where its gets cold/hot a lot to create the condensation. Maybe the synth oil will be different, but I've never used it in cars before, just bikes. Have you or anyone else with a V8 tried the Castrol synth and found something you like better? I mean as in better mileage, sounds better... not that the sound can be improved upon much there though.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 26 Feb 2009, 16:50

No, I'm not a Volvo tech...just been around Volvo's for a pretty long time- I'll check the data I have on your car to make sure of the dipstick- but I think I'm right. I would use Mobil1 synthetic- that's what I use in all of my Volvo's- just follow the owner's manual for the correct weight for your area. Btw, what year is your XC90?

EDIT: I just checked and wow...things are much different than I had imagined. Apparently there's no dipstick and you check that it has the right amount of fluid, much the same way you do with a manual transmission. Here's what I found- I hope this is right- this is the only description I found for the V8 engine's transmission:

05 XC Transmission Oil Check.pdf: (310.58 KiB) Downloaded 776 times

cdnvolvo · Post by **cdnvolvo** » 18 Mar 2009, 07:09

Thanks MIJ.
Did you get that out of Vida? This is for checking, but is there a section on changing it? I'm wondering how much will come out if you pull the drain plug.
I just did 2 1700km drives (to Georgia and back) and while I was down there checked into having the tranny flushed at the dealer, as I towed a substantial trailer there. Prices were in the $250-350US range. I called my dealer at home and although they don't have the flushing machines the larger dealers have, they do a tranny oil change for $160CDN!
I'll give this a try though 1st to see the condition of the oil. I suspected the airbox would have to come out as there was no sign of a dipstick even with the skidplate off. Luckily I just bought a set of large Torx sockets.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 18 Mar 2009, 20:00

No, the information above is from VADIS- it predates VIDA. Unfortunately, since VIDA is in use, unless you pay substantial $$'s you can't get a copy of it. Like I said, this was the only information I have about your tranny. If you ask nicely the dealer might tell you how you add fluid to your transmission. Otherwise, draining it should be easy or using the transmission line to let its own pump push it out (as when doing a flush) shouldn't be too difficult to figure out.