2000 XC - Labor for Transmission Seals

Saint Johnson · Post by **Saint Johnson** » 22 Jan 2016, 18:54

2000 V70 XC @ 195,000 miles

My longtime Volvo specialist diagnosed a slow transmission fluid leak as a front transmission seal going bad. The shop gave me a quote to replace it, along with the rear seal, that has me flabbergasted: 19 hours of labor plus parts for a total just under $1,900.

I realize this is a big job that requires removing the engine and transmission, and I expect to be overquoted to some degree, but that much, really? Does this sound reasonable? Should I seek a second estimate elsewhere?

(By the way, I'm a long time lurker of the forum, but this is the first time I've ever needed to ask a question. Thanks in advance to everyone who contributes to this wonderful resource!)

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 22 Jan 2016, 20:11

Hopefully someone can chime in with the book labor time. Intuitively that sounds a bit high but it took me about double that time to replace my clutch which is about the same job. I'm not a professional mechanic with a shop and a lift though and I was doing it on the weekends on my back in the driveway with makeshift, homemade, tools. It is essentially an transmission R&R since changing the seals takes virtually nothing.

Have you tried some of the stop leak ATF fluid? While I normally don't endorse "miracle in a can" products it actually worked really well for me on a leaky rack. The stop leak does nothing for a gasket leak but on seals it is actually somewhat effective.

...Lee

Post by **scot850** » 22 Jan 2016, 20:16

What do they mean by front and rear seal? There is a plate on the front of the transmission, but rear seal?

Are they maybe talking about the angle gear seals?

2 years ago I had the engine cam seals, RMNS and Front MS, Oil pump seal, oil pan seals, angle gear stripped, checked and resealed, and the transmission axle seals and angle gear sleeve replaced and the timing belt and idlers replaced, by the Volvo dealer (at that time CDN$ = US$) and including all the parts (all Volvo) rebuilt and it came in around $4000.

If you are going to have the transmission pulled, then it makes sense to have the angle gear seals done, check the sleeve checked and have the main transmission front seal replaced as well as the axle seals and the RMS, as the parts are relatively cheap, and the labor won't be much higher as you already have it all apart.

To remove the trans takes about 10 hours.

Neil.

Post by **cn90** » 22 Jan 2016, 22:15

I think they meant the:
- RMS (Rear Main Seal of an Engine)
- Front seal of the trans. BTW, the trans also has 2 output seals (R and L), you may as well replace all seals. On the R side, the angle gear sleeve has 2 separate seals (photo in forum). So, the trans itself has 4 seals for the AWD model.

The original mfg is Corteco, which is cheaper than Volvo OEM seals.

When the shop did my RMS and the front seal of my 1998 V70 FWD model a few years ago, the labor charge was $70 x 9h = $630.
Seals cost is separate.

You can look up rmeuropean dot com for the seal. Stick to Corteco.
Alternative is Volvo OEM seals, which are more expensive.

Post by **dosbricks** » 23 Jan 2016, 13:33

A lot of people recommend AT-205. Seals get stiff with heat and age.
https://www.amazon.com/ATP-AT-205-Re-Sea ... onditioner

As preventive maintenance, I put an ounce in the power steering on both our cars and calculated the correct amount for the trans in the S70.

As Lee suggests--maybe worth a try before laying out $1,900.

Post by **precopster** » 23 Jan 2016, 14:08

The quote is VERY high. Even here in Oz the independant guys charge about $1,100 to fit a transmission plus parts.

The trans output seal and the RMS are best replaced once the transmission is removed as it's the only chance to get at them. The CV axle seals can be done at any time.

Post by **E Showell** » 23 Jan 2016, 14:17

That could be what is known as "no thank you pricing," i.e., he knows it is a pain in the ass job and really doesn't want to do it, but if you enrich him sufficiently he'll take the pain.

Post by **precopster** » 23 Jan 2016, 14:21

Guess it depends on how many hoists the guy has and whether they can pump other jobs out while this car is taking space. Shops with one hoist, limited floorspace and only one guy will generally charge in that vicinity.

Saint Johnson · Post by **Saint Johnson** » 23 Jan 2016, 17:37

I will definitely give some of the stop leak fluid a try. The drip is so very slight at this point.

I confirmed that the "rear seal" I mentioned was indeed the Rear Main Seal. Sorry for the confusion! And I appreciate the tips about other parts to replace while the trans is out.

Strange that the quote would be so high. My shop has a full team of mechanics and a ton of equipment and space. I almost think the office manager made a mistake when typing up the estimate, quoting me the labor for the front seal and RMS separately instead of combined.

I'll be sure to follow up here once I know what's what. Thanks a million, everyone!

Post by **tryingbe** » 23 Jan 2016, 18:42

E Showell wrote:That could be what is known as "no thank you pricing," i.e., he knows it is a pain in the ass job and really doesn't want to do it, but if you enrich him sufficiently he'll take the pain.

I think we have a winner!