2002 V70 wagon transmission slipping

johnarle · Post by **johnarle** » 22 Feb 2011, 17:53

I just had the radiator/transmission cooler replaced because the integrated transmission cooler failed, causing antifreeze to get into the transmission and transmission fluid to get in the radiator. The shop flushed and filled the transmission twice and stated upon testing that they believed they saved the transmission. Since then the transmission has been slipping in low gear, and seems to shift hard. Would there be any point in flushing and filling the transmission again, to try to eliminate the slipping, or am I just going to have to get a new/rebuilt transmission?

otis44 · Post by **otis44** » 22 Feb 2011, 18:56

What type of fluid was used on the flush? If you have the wrong atf in the transmission I suppose that could cause your problems. Many threads on this forum about the right fluid. If the transmission is high miles, and I'm assuming it is being an 02, the flush itself could also cause problems, although with your contamination I'm not sure you had much choice. Be sure you have the right fluid (clean) at the proper level. There are also some software updates from the dealer that may help with these issues. The software may cost a couple of hundred bucks but it might be worth it before throwing in the towel on the transmission. The rebuild may be the best and only option (and with all of the 02's transmission problems) it may have came to this sooner or later anyway, but I would try what I could before I spent all those $$$. Good luck

johnarle · Post by **johnarle** » 22 Feb 2011, 20:12

Actually, the car only has 48,000 miles on it. The fluid used to flush (times two) was a synthetic (not sure what brand etc). The shop we took it to is a Volvo only place (Hash Imports) recommended by our usual Import mechanic. They said that the complete failure of the integrated transmission cooler, which led to the intermixing of coolant and transmission fluid, is a rare occurence. Prior to the repair, there was a period of a few weeks of the transmission seeming sluggish first thing in the morning. Now it feels sluggish and or slips outright when starting from a dead stop, or from first to second gear , but not every time. I'm going to talk to the mechanics at Hash tommorrow. What should I ask them? Are the software updates a dealer only thing? Also, any thoughts on a estimate for a rebuilt transmission, including labor?

Gracias

John

otis44 · Post by **otis44** » 22 Feb 2011, 20:52

If the shop that did your flush is a Volvo (familiar) shop, I'd say the fluid is correct, but I'd ask anyway. What you are looking for is a fluid that meets the JWS 3309 spec, which typically is Volvo OEM fluid, Mobil 1 JWS 3309 or Toyota T-IV fluid. I am not aware of any other fluid on the market that meets the spec for these transmissions.

The software updates are a dealer only thing and are typically installed to deal with hard or erratic shifting, not slipping. It sounds like you may be looking at a transmission, but I would talk to your indy shops and your dealer if possible to see what input they offer.

From what I understand rebuilding these things is expensive, somewhere between 2500 & 4k, but I have personally never had one done. You could probably do a swap much cheaper, but these tranny's aren't the best ones Volvo ever used. So unless you could find something at your mileage or less swapping is a crap shoot at best.

Post by **JRL** » 22 Feb 2011, 21:17

Doesn't matter
If the fluids became mixed, your tranny is (or son will be) finito!
(Sorry)

RaymanSean · Post by **RaymanSean** » 23 Feb 2011, 06:13

I agree with JRL. However, check the fluid level and color in the tranny if the fluid is not transparent and is opaque, there may be some value (not very much) in having the tranny flushed again and adding some SEAFOAM for Trannys to soak up the reaming water. Water is hard on the clutch materails. There just is not that much clutch materiel in the tranny to allow for slippage. Once you feel it slip more than once or twice then the tranny's days are usually numbered. I have successfully rebuilt several ZF trannys in the garage on a table with great success. Several people here have claimed that the AW trannys are hard to rebuild so it may not be worth the money. The parts to rebuild are cheap, it is the time that you end up paying for. By the time it is all said and done you will probably be looking at $3k-5k on top of what you just spent. Good luck, any indication on why the tranny cooler failed?

johnarle · Post by **johnarle** » 23 Feb 2011, 17:58

It would cost $225 to flush again. $3500 to rebuild the transmission. I think I'm going for one more flush. Any value in rebuilding before the tranny fails outright, or should I just run it until it won't go into gear? Can't be any worse to drivethan my first Volvo, a 78 245 with an automaticthat I had to drive slowly around the neiborhood for 10 minutes each morning to coax it into 2nd gear.

Post by **EstVolvo** » 03 Mar 2011, 09:07

Use Toyota T-IV fluid. Do it yourself. Cost around $80 and you may save your transmission. Worth trying.