2002 V70 NA - AT Transmission Flush Questions

krenekj · Post by **krenekj** » 01 Jul 2015, 08:19

I just picked up another Volvo, a 2002 V70 Base with an AT, 133k. The AT fluid is brownish and overfilled. I have no maintenance history on the tranny and I want to get new stuff in there ASAP. I've flushed my 240 AT a few times, so I'm familiar with the 'flush method' that is well documented. However, since this is a new setup for me, I want to be sure I have the right parts and information before proceeding.

- Since I have no history, should I just drain/fill a few times over the next 1k miles, or just flush it? Some folks seem to think the former is best to keep from dislodging too much sludge at once.

- I understand the lower tranny hose going into the cooler is the 'hot' side and the one should disconnect to flush the fluid. Correct?

- As for fluid, can I use this Aisin fluid from IPD:

http://www.ipdusa.com/products/10543/12 ... nsmissions

I want to get this job done in the next day or two. I cannot find Mobil 3309 anywhere near me in Portland, and IPD has this in stock for pickup.

- Should I consider replacing the clips and o-rings on both upper and lower hoses? Are they the same?

Any other information is appreciated.

Thanks.

Post by **chrism** » 01 Jul 2015, 08:39

If you had a few days to wait for shipping, these guys are usually a good source for 3309:

http://www.avlube.com/mobilatf3309.html

Amazon.com also has it for about $69/12 qts. If you have Amazon Prime you can get free 2 day shipping.

You will need at least about 10-11 qts in order to get it flowing nice and red.

In some cases you may need to replace the O-ring(s) where the hose(s) connect to the cooler. Should be inexpensive at the dealer. I don't recall if you need to disconnect the "upper" or "lower" hose, but if you study the layout you should be able to determine which one pushes fluid to the cooler and which one provides a return to the sump.

Post by **vtl** » 01 Jul 2015, 08:54

Go with drain&fill.

I have better experience with Idemitsu Type-TLS than with Mobil 3309. Recently gradually shifting fluids in both Volvos from Idemitsu to Valvoline MaxLife, which is WS type fluid, not JWS-3309 - both cars shift even better.

Post by **GBS** » 01 Jul 2015, 10:56

I'd go drain and fill too.

I always get Toyota Type IV, supposedly its the same fluid and the Toyota dealers always seem to have it.

difflock54 · Post by **difflock54** » 01 Jul 2015, 20:30

Ditto. drain and fill.

Post by **JRL** » 01 Jul 2015, 21:10

Don't experiment, Mobil or Toyota fluid only (both are the exact same)

krenekj · Post by **krenekj** » 01 Jul 2015, 22:28

A case of Mobil 3309 should arrive by Friday from Amazon. Thanks for the pointer.

Flush or drain?

If flush, does the upper or lower hose feed the cooler? I'm not sure how to tell by studying the setup. What are the indicators?

Thanks.

Post by **vtl** » 02 Jul 2015, 08:22

Upper hose is a return line.

Post by **chrism** » 02 Jul 2015, 11:01

Here's why I advocate for flush vs drain-n-fill:

The entire system holds approximately 7 qts. The sump holds about 50%, or 3-1/2 qts. So if you drain 3.5 and refill with 3.5, you end up with a system that is still 50% dirty. So you drive it a few days and swap out another 3.5 qts and now the system is 25% dirty. So you drive it a few more days and swap out another 3.5 qts and now the system is 12.5% dirty. If you started out with a 12 qt case of ATF, you'll have to stop at that point because you don't have enough for another D-n-F. (You've used 10.5 qts.) And at that point, your system is still 12.5% dirty.

So you've been under the car THREE times and still have slightly dirty fluid, when you could have used the same 10.5 qts and had a complete flush.

Just my opinion....

Post by **vtl** » 03 Jul 2015, 08:54

That works if the fluid was flushed every 30k or so.