2004 XC90 T6 Transmission Dipstick Tube Leaking

NickA · Post by **NickA** » 08 Dec 2014, 11:31

Hi Everyone - The transmission dipstick tube is leaking right where it goes into the transmission (T6 engine). I think when it was rebuilt over the Summer they forgot to put in the O-ring. I've had some other issue from the place that did the rebuild, like cross-threaded subframe bolts, but I got most of the issues resolved.

Anyway, the dealer said they would have to drop the whole subframe just to remove the tube and put the o-ring in. I have a hard time squeezing my hand up there from under the car, but I think if I can get the dipstick tube out I can do it myself. Is it just the bolts on top that hold the tube in?

Post by **FLXC90** » 08 Dec 2014, 17:25

Sorry I can't check right now, my wife has the XC, and I'm leaving for work right now. But I can look at my dead trans in the shed tomorrow. When I had local AAMCO swap transmission, at recommendation of ex-dealer-Volvo indie, they had to redo the dipstick tube because it popped out. (cost them their profit-they weren't happy!) So dealer sounds on-mark. If you can find one of the schematics on the parts webpages it might help answer bolt question.

NickA · Post by **NickA** » 08 Dec 2014, 19:07

Thanks. I did find a schematic and it shows another bolt half way down.

If I can't get it off, I might just try some liquid metal to seal it up. No way I want to drop the subframe.

mjhanauer · Post by **mjhanauer** » 19 Feb 2015, 13:40

Did you find an adequate solution for this? I just dropped my tranny pan and changed fluid three times and re-gasketed because I thought that my pan was leaking. Turns out the dipstick tube in my 2005 xc90 t6 with the 4t65 is leaking from the top of the housing where the dipstick tube enters.

I'm hoping you didn't have to drop the tranny!!

Post by **FLXC90** » 19 Feb 2015, 14:47

When I had mine replaced, I had to return it the next day for this, dealer was upset, it required dropping subframe and partial removal to access the seal for the change, ended up eating his profit. Luckily, they are professional, and it was taken care of, with no problems since. (about 12k miles).

NickA · Post by **NickA** » 19 Feb 2015, 14:58

mjhanauer wrote:Did you find an adequate solution for this? I just dropped my tranny pan and changed fluid three times and re-gasketed because I thought that my pan was leaking. Turns out the dipstick tube in my 2005 xc90 t6 with the 4t65 is leaking from the top of the housing where the dipstick tube enters.

I'm hoping you didn't have to drop the tranny!!

I haven't done anything to it yet, except clean up tranny fluid and keep refilling. It's been really cold here (I live near Buffalo) and I don't have a garage.

My plan is to try some JB Weld. This particular kind is like putty, and I think I can form it with my hands in the shape of a pencil, and cram my hands up there and wrap it around the tube. Not the most eloquent solution, but even if it works who cares. I really don't want to spend $600 to have it done the proper way.

Another thought I had was to attach a long plastic tube to the end of a tube of silicon in a caulking gun, feed it from the top and try to get silicon around it.

mjhanauer · Post by **mjhanauer** » 09 Jun 2017, 14:31

NickA,

Did you try the fix with JB weld? Did you have any success? I'm about to take this thing to the shop, now it's getting stuck in 3rd gear when the tranny fluid is low.

Thanks

Post by **FLXC90** » 11 Jun 2017, 10:11

Nick, are you getting any transmission service messages yet? The 3-4 shift is what went when my trans failed. Is it just when the fluid gets low?

Edit: oops disregard that, 3rd gear wouldn't engage, sounds like you are okay

traudesa · Post by **traudesa** » 30 Jun 2017, 17:54

Mine developed a leak after disconnecting it from the torque mount and pushing it back out of the way. I pulled it out and found the last person that worked on it had put on a black o-ring and sealed the top with RTV that had ripped. I jumped online thinking a new seal would do the trick and ordered a new one ($10 for an o-ring, ouch!). The one that arrived was green and shaped like a tire rather than a donut like the old one. I put the new one on, plugged it back in and still got a leak. After some trial and error I finally wrapped that section of the dipstick in a petroleum resistant plumber's tape, put both of the o-rings on, and mashed it down. Once it was bolted up the leak stopped! I also took a hack saw to the bottom bracket as it kept getting in the way and made reinserting the dipstick tube stupidly difficult. It wasn't bolted up in the first place so to heck with it.

I'm not particularly excited about the plumber's tape as it could cause problems if pieces of it make their way into the transmission but the pressure from the o-rings should hold it tightly in place, and it doesn't generally just fall apart.

PapaNoni · Post by **PapaNoni** » 22 Aug 2022, 14:03

traudesa wrote: ↑30 Jun 2017, 17:54 Mine developed a leak after disconnecting it from the torque mount and pushing it back out of the way. I pulled it out and found the last person that worked on it had put on a black o-ring and sealed the top with RTV that had ripped. I jumped online thinking a new seal would do the trick and ordered a new one ($10 for an o-ring, ouch!). The one that arrived was green and shaped like a tire rather than a donut like the old one. I put the new one on, plugged it back in and still got a leak. After some trial and error I finally wrapped that section of the dipstick in a petroleum resistant plumber's tape, put both of the o-rings on, and mashed it down. Once it was bolted up the leak stopped! I also took a hack saw to the bottom bracket as it kept getting in the way and made reinserting the dipstick tube stupidly difficult. It wasn't bolted up in the first place so to heck with it.

I'm not particularly excited about the plumber's tape as it could cause problems if pieces of it make their way into the transmission but the pressure from the o-rings should hold it tightly in place, and it doesn't generally just fall apart.

Hell sorry to post on such an old thread but I'm having the same problem and like your solution. Would you happen to have the part number for the o-ring you ordered? I'm having issues finding any resources on it. Also has it held up well?