Wretched AW 55-50 trans flush

dgcantrellsr · Post by **dgcantrellsr** » 20 Jun 2017, 12:50

Has anyone ever just used dexron II or Dexron III or even type F to flush trans. It is a whole lot cheaper than the 3309 stuff and having built racing transmissions and quite a few street transmissions of different flavors, I can't for the life of me see why it wouldn't work for at least flushing out the system, one could do 12 quarts and after a few hundred miles do another 12 quart. Once you had the trans flushed pretty good you could add the 3309 stuff. Or are those aw transmissions built of some space like materials that are not known to earthlings and only 3309 can make them work.
I did a 12 quart 3309 flush a few thousand ago and added the in-line magnetic filter and did a 4 quart drain and magnetic filter change the other day and the fluid that came out looked worse than the fluid that came out the first flush.

Post by **abscate** » 20 Jun 2017, 15:37

I don't recall anyone trying this, but I don't think it's a Good idea.

Post by **jimmy57** » 20 Jun 2017, 16:14

Valvoline MaxLife at Walmart is approved and is very little more than dex/merc and is a synthetic fluid. $18 range for a gallon jug.
Dex/Merc fluids don't have the additive that tolerates slipping clutch locking torque converters.
If it lists Volvo 1161540 on the jug then you re good to go. It may be the low viscosity version now but that is OK too.

Post by **mrbrian200** » 20 Jun 2017, 22:09

No on the dex/merc. Be aware some people report noticeable shift quality issues that don't resolve after the TCM reset/retrain with universal fluids listed for HFM transmission applications, but not formulated specifically for the AW.

PS78 · Post by **PS78** » 21 Jun 2017, 15:04

dgcantrellsr are you flushing and filling the car in your profile, or another Volvo with the AW 55-50 transaxle? IIRC the 4speed autos use Dex 3. If it is for another vehicle's AW 55-50, 5 speed automatic I would stick with the designated fluid. From personal experience even the "multi purpose import" caused the trans to flare terribly. You didn't say what brand of 3309spec fluid you're using, but the Toyota T4 atf is very affordable at the Toyota dealer.

Georgeandkira · Post by **Georgeandkira** » 21 Jun 2017, 15:41

Several AW55-50 in the family. Use the Valvoline MaxLife Dex/Merc LV as stated above. I've used it a ton. I bought 12 gallons of the stuff and I'm down to my last 5 quarts.
Want a red hot tip? Go to "amaliestore.com" and buy Wolf's Head Super Universal Synthetic Transmission Fluid by the case. Shipping is free. Did you hear me? SHIPPING IS FREE! I've used it without problem. I've also used TOYOTA T-IV and even real Mobil3309 (which is not even a synthetic, if you didn't know).

How dirty was your trans in the first place? Also, "everybody" says that regular Dex/Merc or old Dex will kill your transmission. I've no data on that one.

dgcantrellsr · Post by **dgcantrellsr** » 21 Jun 2017, 21:04

PS78 wrote: ↑21 Jun 2017, 15:04 dgcantrellsr are you flushing and filling the car in your profile, or another Volvo with the AW 55-50 transaxle? IIRC the 4speed autos use Dex 3. If it is for another vehicle's AW 55-50, 5 speed automatic I would stick with the designated fluid. From personal experience even the "multi purpose import" caused the trans to flare terribly. You didn't say what brand of 3309spec fluid you're using, but the Toyota T4 atf is very affordable at the Toyota dealer.

I've also got an 05 XC 70 that had 134K on it when I got it. That's the one I'm working on and I used mobil3309 on the first flush.

dgcantrellsr · Post by **dgcantrellsr** » 23 Jun 2017, 08:01

I used Castrol Transmax on the last 4 quart drain, supposed to be compatabile.

clifford06 · Post by **clifford06** » 23 Jun 2017, 19:53

Greetings. I recently replaced my radiator and lost about 1-2 qts of trans fluid. Topped off with Castrol Transmax. Says to bee compatibale for all Volvo applications. Been driving for a few days. So far seems to work .