2004 Volvo XC90 T6 transmission ... leap of faith?!

[Clearcreek]

After researching 57 cars of 6 makes in 4 states over a 3 week period, I ended up with this Volvo:
http://www.highqualityauto.net/detail.a ... 3413&.aspx

Weather permitting for the flight, I will pick it up next week. Mileage is ~89,000mi. I'm posting in the hope that someone who knows more about the Volvo transmission situation than I will comment and evaluate my progress. IOW-- give me advice!

• 1. Through Carfax & discussion with the dealer, I understand that the tranny was recently rebuilt.
  2. Dealer put it on the rack and verified that there is currently no water in tranny and no trans. fluid in the radiator.
  3. The mechanic who did the rebuild said that there had been water contamination in the old tranny.
  4. The radiator may have been replaced; the dealer can't tell for sure.
  5. I plan to research getting an aftermarket air cooler for the transmission which completely eliminates the contamination possibility, but am not sure what the next step is.
  6. I can get a warranty to cover the next tranny failure, assuming is happens in the next 48K miles.
  7. Aside from a few scratches, the rest of the car is in great shape.

My basic question is: have I forgotten anything, and/or what should I have done differently? For awhile I wondered if I should even buy the car, but extensive forum research has lead me to believe that if I religiously change the trans. fluid (every 5-10K miles?) and eliminate the contamination possibility, I should be fine. I like the safety, ride, overall value and quality build of the car, so I hate to pass on it without a good reason.

What do you think?

[precopster]

Changing fluid every 5-10k miles is overkill, especially when you can source quality synthetic fluids for that transmission.

I'd be more concerned with driving style than fluid quality (of course assume that you fit a quality external cooler as you mentioned)

Every 30k miles is plenty often enough for fluid replacement however you can have Blackstone assess the fluid quality for you.

Drive the old girl as though there's an egg between your sole and the pedal. and congrats on the purchase.

[Clearcreek]

OK- sounds like good advice. I would prefer changing the trans. fluid less often for several reasons... Tks!

Can you recommend where to find a quality external cooler? Never installed one before (never bought a 10 year old car with < 100K miles, either).

Over the years I have gained a reputation as a guy who drives like a little old lady My kids sit in the passenger seat and complain about going too slow... while I bask in the glow of their unintended compliments!

[matthew1]

XC90 T6's give me the shivers. Make sure you know what you're doing. This photo is from June 2012 in Castle Rock, Colorado. I was leaving my mom's neighborhood and saw this XC90 T6 at a stop sign. I was next to it, turning left. It looked like a test drive, and they were fussing with something in the cabin.

On my way back from my errand, probably 20 minutes later, I saw the XC90 again, this time with the hood up, waiting for a tow, in the middle of an arterial. I snapped these photos then, as I passed.

[precopster]

So if the guys were fussing with something in the cabin would that have been transmission related? Perhaps the shift lever? Or did the guy get his prosthesis stuck behind the brake pedal? Or flat battery due to a bad alternator?

Everyone here knows 99.9% of the electrics/modules, brakes and interior is shared with the 2.5T and THEY have gained a reputation as solid cars.

The engines are good mills and the twin turbos rarely give trouble if regular maintenance is carried out.

If the transmission is rebuilt by a reputable company and you can get a warranty on the trans for another 48k miles I would jump at that chance.

How many miles will you be travelling in the average year? Also if you intend to tow with it think twice.

[Clearcreek]

1. I do plan to get a warranty on the tranny, plus take care of it.
2. No towing!! Got a Nissan Titan for that...
3. I'm thinking 15K miles/year, which will give me 3 years on a warranty. Maybe less-- depends on where a couple new clients end up being.

Makco (from link on MVS) recommends putting the tranny cooler inline with the radiator cooler, but ... wouldn't I still lose the transmission if the stock tubes inside the radiator rust through (as they are apparently prone to do)? If I bypass the radiator, Makco says to go one size up to make sure I have things covered. But, for this car, what size do I start with? And... Derale, Hayden or some other brand?

Thanks for input, especially if you have solved a GM 4T65E tranny longevity issue in a similar way...