1994 850 sedan tranny fluid change

volvo850fan · Post by **volvo850fan** » 30 Dec 2009, 10:45

hello, I am on my second 1994 850 sedan. I am able to handle alot of mechanical issues but am stumped w/one. Can someone explain how the automatic transmission fluid is drained. My 850 has 127,000 miles and I am the second owner. I don't think fluid has been changed, would like to refresh fluid. Thanks to any reply.

Post by **jblackburn** » 30 Dec 2009, 14:58

Here's a whole write-up about the procedure, along with a good picture of where the drain plug is.

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... f=1&t=8767

It's a pretty easy procedure and you'll save a lot of money rather than taking it to a shop. Good luck!

Post by **jblackburn** » 30 Dec 2009, 15:08

I should also mention that if you don't know the history of this car and the last time (or if ever) a transmission flush was done, you might be better off draining the transmission pan and refilling it several times, then driving a few hundred miles, and repeat, until your fluid is red again.

A full flush can sometimes cause problems with transmissions with higher miles that have never been run with anything but the same fluid in there.

volvomileage · Post by **volvomileage** » 30 Dec 2009, 16:09

+1 for drain and fill

does your oil smell burnt ?

i did the same, drain and fill 4 times over a 2 week period, (you should get about 3 to 3 liters and half out of the tranny drain plug) drain refill drive and so on the result is great almost all brand new oil...you will need a 22 mm box wrench to untighten the tranny drain plug..

as far as tranny oils you need dexron iii at oil, some use the mobil 1 syhtetic product with good results
i used the castrol dexron vi which is backward compatible and also semi syth and shifts are smooth...

at the same time you could service you power steering oil wich is also dexron iii if it wasnt serviced before...

volvomileage · Post by **volvomileage** » 30 Dec 2009, 18:15

....for the power steering fluid i used a turkey baster to remove fluid from the p/s reservoir but leaving a bit in the resrvoir...added new fluid turned the wheels from one end to the other a few times , then removed again fluid being careful to leave a bit and topped up...if the fluid smells burnt its due also...

cheers !