2002 V70XC - valve body purchase options

2002V70XC · Post by **2002V70XC** » 19 Nov 2014, 23:19

I'm looking to purchase a rebuilt/reman aw55-50SN valve body to replace the one on my 2002 V70XC. I've found one on ebay thats really cheap compare to other companies from the US. Here is the link: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/221595602047
ebay description:
"Part # is AW-2922
For Early Model Volvo
This remanufactured valve body has a casting letter of "A" and casting code # 9167"
I expect my 2002 Australian Volvo V70XC to have stamp A valve body because I read that Mike (from this forum) did 2 of his 2002 V70XC with stamp A. I have no idea about the casting code and part # though.
Do you guys think its ok to bite the bullet in this case? Note that the ebay listing doesn't have any warranty information so its abit risky.

draser · Post by **draser** » 21 Nov 2014, 06:23

Any idea Mike?

Post by **oragex** » 21 Nov 2014, 09:06

Do you really need the whole valve body? Maybe just the three main solenoids ($150) will be enough?
I have read that cheap refurbished solenoids might not work well. Surely precopster will give you the best advice.

Post by **precopster** » 21 Nov 2014, 13:22

Stick with a company such as Reamman or VBX. You may pay a little more but they are builders of trannies and know their stuff.

I had a conversation with Cory from Reamman a couple of years ago and he was spot-on with a diagnosis on my '01 XC which had fused clutch plates and no reverse. He was honest enough to tell me that a valve body probably wouldn't fix my issue (though of course a new valve body helps the entire transmission)

From what I recall VBX has an Australian dealer here in Oz. It may pay to call them to save on freight and the failing Aussie conversion rate.

Also there's a trans repairer here in Victoria called Manuel Transmissions (the owner's name is Manuel) who handles a great deal of Volvo valve body rebuilds for one of the major indie Volvo repairers. He may point you to his supplier or offer to rebuild yours.

2002V70XC · Post by **2002V70XC** » 22 Nov 2014, 19:08

precopster wrote:Stick with a company such as Reamman or VBX. You may pay a little more but they are builders of trannies and know their stuff.

I had a conversation with Cory from Reamman a couple of years ago and he was spot-on with a diagnosis on my '01 XC which had fused clutch plates and no reverse. He was honest enough to tell me that a valve body probably wouldn't fix my issue (though of course a new valve body helps the entire transmission)

From what I recall VBX has an Australian dealer here in Oz. It may pay to call them to save on freight and the failing Aussie conversion rate.

Also there's a trans repairer here in Victoria called Manuel Transmissions (the owner's name is Manuel) who handles a great deal of Volvo valve body rebuilds for one of the major indie Volvo repairers. He may point you to his supplier or offer to rebuild yours.

Thanks for giving out useful information Mike!
I'll call VBX and Manuel Transmission to see what they can offer. I'm from the ACT so option for rebuilding valve body is very hard to find. I prefer to go with replacing the valve body because it is a sure FIX compare to replacing just the solenoids.
Background of my car:
My car had bad garage shifts between R=>D, P=>D and sometimes N=>D. It also had some flares during 2->3 or 3->4 shifts. It also had the rough down-shifts sometimes.
I've flushed the ATF which improved things a little bit. I also did the fluid counter reset + adaptation through VIDA DICE (while doing the adaptation, I couldn't get the final garage shift N=>D working. it never gave me orange warning and it did "jerk/bang into D" every time).
Currently, its running better with less flares and garage shifts aren't that bad but I want smooth transmission and I think its about time for the valve body to be replaced to save the trans.
Cheers

Post by **SuperHerman** » 28 Jan 2015, 23:42

Sounds like sticky solenoids. All the flushes in the world will not solve your issues as the solenoids are gummed up, ever so slightly. I rebuilt mine - it was a 2001 - not marked. Meaning it was a very early version - not yet an A. It was not vented. You do not know what you have until you open it up and look for the marking. You can just go with the solenoids as they are basically all the same. I would go with a name brand or source them from a shop you trust. Better yet, bring yours in and have them rebuilt if you have the time and can find a good shop. This way if they do it right you will not need to adjust anything, maybe just do an adaptation. As I said I rebuilt mine and checked the entire valve body for wear. It was solid at a 185k. The only issue with only doing the solenoids is a small chance you have excessive wear in the valve body itself which could cause leaking that translates to less pressure which translates to improper shifting. Seeing mine and another one - I would gamble with just doing the solenoids.

tkhelms · Post by **tkhelms** » 29 Jan 2015, 12:32

I used a reaman on my 06 xc90 v8 with an extremely hard (shuddering) kick down @ highway merging and passing @ 50+ mph. I did it myself in the car. Not exactly easy, but with normal hand tools very doable with patience and almost 20k later it works great.
On the other hand my 01 xc70 was not helped by factory/Volvo x2 valve body on delayed hard shift to drive after first rebuild @160k mi. Great warranty 3yr 50k at a reputable trans shop through an honest mechanic. I just put junkyard trans in and no issues now. Luckily as I was able to start and test garage shift as the donor car just arrived an only had right front damage.
I use BG trans kit and a brick of their synthetic atf at 30k and before I do any other work on a trans now. Disconnect cooler line and let trans pump out 2 quarts at a time till clean. The xc70 had hard downshifts (servo cover at 60k helped) and hard garage plus downshift issues by 80k. I believe the services helped it last to approx 130k.

2002V70XC · Post by **2002V70XC** » 29 Jan 2015, 18:00

@SuperHerman:
Thanks for providing your experience with the VB.
I'm pretty sure mine has "A" stamp on it based on my internet research. The trans shop can fit "B" or "C" stamp VB into my car but I didn't want to take risk dealing with wiring harness and B5 control springs in those ones.
Most likely sticky solenoids but I don't want to mess with settings of the solenoids so I got a rebuilt Valve Body from the US and I'll have the trans specialist shop swapping them next week ($830AUD for labor and ATF flush). Its my main driver so I can't afford to have the car down for too long. I found a shop in Melbourne that charges $500AUD for rebuilding my valve body but I would need to remove mine and send it to them so I didn't go with that option.
@tkhelms:
Are you saying that the rebuilt VB won't fix the delayed hard shift to D? I only get that sometimes now (I did use some trans seafoam after the flush) but I used to have really bad garage shifts to D when I just purchased the car. I think if you get a properly rebuilt VB then it should fix most of the problems. I already replaced the B4 servo cover but that didn't really do anything.
I'll have a spare VB to play with after the swap but I hope I won't need to get that one rebuilt. I'll keep you guys posted!

Post by **vtl** » 29 Jan 2015, 22:15

2002V70XC wrote:I'll have a spare VB to play with after the swap but I hope I won't need to get that one rebuilt.

Why not? With spare working VB in hands it's so tempting to buy another V70XC!

Post by **xHeart** » 30 Jan 2015, 07:29

2002V70XC wrote: ...
I'm pretty sure mine has "A" stamp on it based on my internet research.

Good to know it in advance!
Would you share steps of your research that clues/assures it's "A".
Is it an original VB?