What did you do to your Volvo today? Topic is solved

[ZionXIX]

While researching my progressively worsening shudder problem, it was suggested to me to try changing the transmission fluid completely. I've done 2 drain and fills over the past year. The fluid always look nice and red on the dipstick. I was hesitant to do the complete exchange for fear of messing something up. I now feel stupid for not doing it sooner. It was surprisingly easy. Despite clean fluid on the dipstick, the fluid that came out was horrid.

So far today the shudder problem still exists. I read 2 posts on sweedspeed that said their shuddering improved over time after the fluid change. I suppose in the mean time I should start planning to pull the torque converter out of my parts car.

Gross transmission fluid

Nifty HD mixing bucket with marks every 1/2 liter

Nice and clean

[ZionXIX]

After this mornings transmission fluid exchange, the drive to work was filled with constant shuddering. However the drive home tonight was fantastic. Smooth shifting gears, excellent acceleration and only minor shuddering at idle. The problem still exists but I suppose the new fluid is lubricating things enough to compensate.

[S60UT]

Hopefully it will even out. But shuddering at idle shouldn't have anything to do with Tranny. That would most likely be motor mounts.

[ZionXIX]

Hopefully it will even out. But shuddering at idle shouldn't have anything to do with Tranny. That would most likely be motor mounts.

Thats what I thought but the shuddering was occurring at random and then over the course of a week progressed to varying pulses at idle only in gear at all times, then at nearly any speed but especially around 30-40 mph. It feels like hitting several tiny road bumps in rapid succession or even a split second of slipping. A day after I completely changed the fluid, its non existent driving.

[abscate]

My guess is the fresh fluid is giving you better pressure at the solenoids which are now holding the clutch packs in better engagement ? Keep those drain and fills going !

[June]

Hopefully it will even out. But shuddering at idle shouldn't have anything to do with Tranny. That would most likely be motor mounts.

Thats what I thought but the shuddering was occurring at random and then over the course of a week progressed to varying pulses at idle only in gear at all times, then at nearly any speed but especially around 30-40 mph. It feels like hitting several tiny road bumps in rapid succession or even a split second of slipping. A day after I completely changed the fluid, its non existent driving.

Sounds like a bad plug wire. When did you change the cap rotor and wires last? June

[ZionXIX]

Hopefully it will even out. But shuddering at idle shouldn't have anything to do with Tranny. That would most likely be motor mounts.

Thats what I thought but the shuddering was occurring at random and then over the course of a week progressed to varying pulses at idle only in gear at all times, then at nearly any speed but especially around 30-40 mph. It feels like hitting several tiny road bumps in rapid succession or even a split second of slipping. A day after I completely changed the fluid, its non existent driving.

Sounds like a bad plug wire. When did you change the cap rotor and wires last? June

New cap, rotor and plugs about 3 years ago

[Clemens]

June might be right. Try reseating the plug wires, maybe regap the plugs, clean the distributor contact points. I've had shuddering issues with a Bosch distributor and rotor, Volvo plugs and Bourgicord wires after one year. Took everything apart, back together and it ran smooth as silk ever since.

[ZionXIX]

Sure, ill check the ignition components but I can't really ignore the fact that the shuddering is 98% improved after the fluid exchange.

[June]

Sure, ill check the ignition components but I can't really ignore the fact that the shuddering is 98% improved after the fluid exchange.

A transmission won't shudder at idle, but a misfire or a bad injector definitely can. If a wire is going bad, temperature can be a variable. May only misfire when hot under load. On your way to work perhaps you encountered more traffic under warmer conditions. Also perhaps the transmission is operating with less resistance to the engine thus reducing the load to engine. A bad wire tends to ground during engine load. June