2004 XC90 "Sealed" Transmission?

kyswisher · Post by **kyswisher** » 24 Mar 2014, 07:02

Do any of the 2004 XC90's have "sealed-for-life" transmissions?

I have a 2004 XC90 FWD 5-cyl turbo with 205K+ miles on it. I plan to replace this vehicle next year and am taking some PM steps to ensure that it's in the best operating order before I hand it down to my son.

One step I thought I'd take was to change the ATF. I noted on the ipd site that they had an AT flush kit that passed all the fitment for my vehicle.

Problem is, I cannot, for the life of me, find the ATF dip stick, which is where you are instructed to re-fill the ATF during the flush.

I had read that the 2004 XC90 was a "sealed" system, but also saw several opposing posts that indicated otherwise.

Can anyone confirm that the 2004s were, in fact, sealed "for life"?

Here is the link to flush kit: http://www.ipdusa.com/products/4808/...flush-hose-kit

Thanks.

Garagemech · Post by **Garagemech** » 24 Mar 2014, 09:54

If you have the 2.5T with the B524? Transmission look in the stickies section of forums. There a couple of great write ups. Look for short yellow ring underhoses by steering box hard to find. Not sealed.

Post by **jimmy57** » 24 Mar 2014, 11:02

The dipstick is low and to the right of starter location under the lower radiator hose.

If the fluid has never been changed then you'd be safer to do three drain and fills at the next three oil changes. 3 3/4 quart drains if you undo the 24mm(15/16") plug that points to the RH frt wheel under trans. If you flush a high miler with no service history you risk washing away deposits that can be keeping some seals still sealing. If you do drain n fills the seals will get softened by the new fluid and and the dissolving of deposits is slower. Valvoline MAX-LIFE has a version that lists application for Volvos. This fluid has been used by many here (myself included) and everything is fine. Max-Life has seal conditioners as it is a high mile formula.

kyswisher · Post by **kyswisher** » 24 Mar 2014, 11:40

I'm seeing a lot of conflicting information regards the "sealed" transmissions on some 2004 XC90s.

I took overseas delivery on this vehicle at the Gothenburg factory. The engine is notes as "5-CYL; INJECTION 2521 CC 208 HP ECE" on the original Bill of Sale.

Even more curious, my VIN indicates that the transmission is the M47 Manual, which it obviously isn't.

I should note that this is a FWD vehicle.

I'm going to take another look for the dipstick and may post a video if it's nowhere to be found to demonstrate that there may, in fact, be a sealed version of this transmission.

I appreciate all of the advisory posts.

Post by **jimmy57** » 24 Mar 2014, 12:10

There was a move by car makers to reduce maintenance costs. Electronic transmissions were thought to not need fluid changes. The friction parts of transmission are much better taken care of by electronic shift control but the valve body electric solenoids suffer from wear particles in the fluid.

The VIN character used to denote transmission is not valid in US or Canada as it is instead used as a check digit to detect VIN number manipulation. That character is the answer to an algorithm run on some of the other characters in the VIN. IF someone attempted to falsify or modify the VIN then that character would not match the alteration.

Post by **precopster** » 24 Mar 2014, 14:23

The drain plug is a 24mm bolt with crush washer under the transmission. It will yield approximately 3.5 litres. On top of the box is a brass bolt that appears to be a fill plug. This is the 3rd band anchor retainer. Do not undo this bolt.

You and all the other posters here on MVS eventually find their dipstick as explained by jimmy to be under the radiator hose down low. You may need to push aside a bundle of wiring in order to see it It is only about 3cm tall.

When filling with fluid (3309 spec only) you can fill via one of the cooling hoses if that's any easier; all roads lead to Rome as they say and the fluid will end up in the correct area.

There is a model designation plate on the gearbox and it is a AW55-50SN made by Aisin.

APCalifornia · Post by **APCalifornia** » 07 Sep 2014, 22:24

What if the transmission code is AW55-51SN and is a FWD? I have pushed a lot of hoses out of the way, I have crawled under the car without splashguard, and I can't find the yellow ring either.

APCalifornia · Post by **APCalifornia** » 07 Sep 2014, 22:25

OK - I must have been tired and affected by the heat: I took a little more time today to search and found the dipstick. It looks like a little yellow top hat, with a spring-clip holding it in place on what would be described as the rim of the hat. It is not easy to reach, it is true, and I can't imagine trying to check the fluid level while the car is running, as I have been taught to do on most other cars. The funnel I bought is not going to work in that location, but I might be able to run some tubing to the opening and then use a funnel at the top. Anyone know whit ID the tube might be?

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