Transmission Flush

BrianTTT · Post by **BrianTTT** » 02 Feb 2010, 15:03

I just read the posts on the Ipd transmission flush hose kit. I was about to buy one but I'm thinking I need a little coaching. My story: I can't smoothly accelerate from a stop with my 2000 S80 (car is new to me). It is also seems to be slipping (reving up) when going into 3rd and 4th. I get an occasional "service transmission immediately" warning that will one out of 5 times put the vehicle into safe mode. My INNOVA indicated a stuck or problem with a secondary solenoid (sorry, not the exact wording. Hasn't done it in several days!). When I reset the warning I'm good for 3 to ten days. I did a filter and fluid replacement and the fluid looked like the rest of the fluids on this car, like they were original and never touched! Did I mention 144K miles (I only paid $2.5K for the car)?! The change helped a little but overall it's still acting the same (including warnings). I'm going to go out on a limb here and assume my filter/fluid change wasn't a "flush" and that there is a nice portion of that finely aged fluid remaining (though helped with the 6 quarts of new).

Should I have used a product such as Sea Foam's Trans Tune to really clean it out? How can I adequately get it (and the old fluid) all out and replaced? I'm not opposed to making the mess of an additional filter replacement if necessary or would the Ipd kit the way to go? What constitutes a proper transmission flush?

Thanks

Post by **JDS60R** » 02 Feb 2010, 15:20

I haven't used the Sea foam trans product yet so I can't speak to the issues. I have used lubeguard before with ok results.

A full trans flush would mean exchanging the old fluid for new. Usually the pan is dropped (on trans with pans), filter repalced (on trans with replacable filters) and then treassembled. Then enough fluid is run out the return line into a collection bucket until the fluid is completely replaced with new. Then the return line is then reconnected to the trans and fulid is topped off.

I know some of the 2000 S80 transmissions ahd issues so I will let a S80 guru jump in here. If lubeguard doesn't free up your solenoid (before the full flush) then I would replace it.

I do prefer synthetic transmission fluids - There are many great products out there. I use Amsoil and have been very pleased with its performance.

dtropnevad05 · Post by **dtropnevad05** » 02 Feb 2010, 15:20

Well if you can noticing the transmission slipping it is to late. I'm no expert on Volvo's but every domestic I have worked on that had slippage the trans was toast. Some used car shops would ask to have the bands tightened down so they could pass the problem onto an unsuspecting customer but that will only last for a few hundred miles.

What does the fluid look and smell like? If it's dark brown and has a burnt smell then it's time to have it rebuilt.

Don

Post by **vegasjetskier** » 02 Feb 2010, 15:23

You can just drain and fill it several times. Each time the amount of old fluid is reduced by half.

I wouldn't put Seafoam in mine, but it's your decision.

BrianTTT · Post by **BrianTTT** » 02 Feb 2010, 15:51

My old fluid was brown but not burnt. The magnet did it's job but nothing more than the very fine particles. Since my warnings are intermittent I'm assuming the solenoid is functioning but hopefully just a little gunked up. Me and my wallet are hoping that with a little help with the cleaning product and a generous helping of new fluid I can keep her on the road.

I'm a little confused with the fluid recommendations. I read in the forums to avoid Mercon. I'm assuming Mercon VI. When I look up at my local auto parts my Volvo they give the green light to Dexron III which on the bottle reads "Dexron III/Mercon brands". There are a couple of other choices on the shelf but not any of the one's mentioned in the forums or remotely referred to in the books. Am I good to go or did I just add to my troubles?

Post by **vegasjetskier** » 02 Feb 2010, 16:03

If it says Dexron III on it, you can use it. That means it meets GM's spec. Dexron/Mercon is a multipurpose fluid that meets both specs (GM's and Ford's) and you can use it. Don't use just Mercon (without the Dexron name on it too) because it only meets Ford's spec.

BrianTTT · Post by **BrianTTT** » 02 Feb 2010, 16:08

Thanks!

asummers · Post by **asummers** » 08 Feb 2010, 07:00

I just through using the IPd transmission flush kit on my 2000 S80 this weekend. It worked great, just a little messy when you get done and have to take the hose off the trans line. I flushed 16 quarts of old, nasty fluid out. On the last four quarts I finally got good looking red fluid. My S80 has the GM transmission that takes Mercon III, it is the same transmission as in the 2000 Impala, and some other GM cars. The weekend before I did a filter change. My problem is that the car had never had a fluid change, and it has 112,000 miles on it. I have owned it for one year, and would recommend that everyone have their tranny fluid changed regularly, like every 30,000 miles. The bad news for me is that this did not fix my problem, so now it is a $1500 rebuild for my S80.