2001 s80 Transmission blowing fluid out of top

JASON DAVIS · Post by **JASON DAVIS** » 29 Oct 2013, 08:55

MY SISTER HAS A S80 THAT IS POURING TRANNY FLUID OUTTA THE TOP(THE THING LOOKS LIKE A VENT OF SOME KIND WITH A MUSHROOM TYPE CAP)&WONT PULL AT ALL..WHAT IS THIS PART(NON OF THE PARTS STORES AROUND HERE KNOW OR HAVE BOOKS ON VOLVO'S)&HOW DO I FIX IT,WE DONT HAVE SHOP MONEY,NOT AN OPTION!!

Edited 1 time -Please read forum rules - use of all caps is not permitted

Post by **boosted5cyl** » 29 Oct 2013, 14:05

Not sure how it comes off, but you might be able to get a replacement at the parts store by asking for the same part for an '01 Impala with the 3800. Same (basic) transmission.
Failing that hitup ebay or the local junkyard.

Post by **mikealder** » 29 Oct 2013, 14:50

Check the transmission fluid by using the yellow dipstick, if it has water in it (engine coolant) the radiator core has failed and is letting engine coolant in to the transmission which will boil and cause the pressure relief valve to release oil/ water out of the top of the transmission - Mike

Post by **oragex** » 30 Oct 2013, 11:09

Like Mike says, find the yellow dipstick, in front on the top of the transmission (not far from that bleeding valve). Check fluid level. I would do it at cold, car at level, pull the dipstick once and see what the level is. Any repairs/changes to the transmission recently?

Post by **boosted5cyl** » 31 Oct 2013, 21:54

oragex wrote:Like Mike says, find the yellow dipstick, in front on the top of the transmission (not far from that bleeding valve). Check fluid level. I would do it at cold, car at level, pull the dipstick once and see what the level is. Any repairs/changes to the transmission recently?

You're thinking of the AW transmission in your S60. The GM transmission in the (US) S80's has the dipstick between the passenger cabin and the motor....

matt5112 · Post by **matt5112** » 11 Nov 2013, 13:18

http://tripleedgeperformance.com/Top-ve ... -leak.html

This problem was much more common to see on the earlier model years of this transmission but is still a potential problem that can happen. The cause of this problem is the upper channel plate gasket. The channel plate is a larger aluminum plate that bolts over the chain and sprocket assembly and has several fluid passages throughout it. The valve body bolts on top of the channel plate. The upper channel plate gasket has had several revisions to aid against blowout problems and the most recent paper design gasket works well. There is a passage that has line pressure flowing through it and this is just under the vent on top of the transmission case, so when it blows out you have very high pressure spraying transmission fluid straight up into the vent and it can make a big mess in a hurry. This can be repaired in the vehicle by lowering down the transmission and removing the side cover, pump, valve body, and finally the channel plate.

Recently the aftermarket has released a Metal design channel plate gasket set which should eliminate any leakage problems as long as the case and channel plate surfaces are in good condition and the bolts are all properly torqued. The metal channel plate gaskets crush down a bit due to their design so several torque passes should be made to assure the bolts are all tight.