Is something worn in my AW55?

[firstv70volvo]

The condition of the fluid then and now was always brown and muddy and not even a hint of reddish or transparent.

I would not put a single new part on the car until this is resolved.

I think at this point a new gearbox(well used but better than this one) is a more proper solution. The amount of money I've spent on fluid and additives has pretty much creeped up near the price of a new valve body at the very least.

If you're considering a good used transmission it would still be a good idea to replace the valve body before putting any used transmission in your car.
One option that you may want to consider but could be more work for you is to first replace the valve body in your car and see if this fixes the shifting problems. If the new valve body doesn't work out because of other problems with the transmission then find a used transmission and transfer the new valve body to the used transmission before installing. This is assuming you'll be doing the work yourself otherwise labor costs will be too much.
If you want to continue to flush the transmission use Valvoline MaxLife ATF fluid and get it from Walmart. Much cheaper and this ATF works with this transmission. It's $26 a gallon. I don't this is going fix the shifting problems but it would improve confidence in the shape of the transmission if the fluid clears up.

This is the valve body you can use for this transmission, it's a factory part made by Aisin and just have to make a couple of minor changes to make it compatible for use in a Volvo. The price has gone up to $564 but still not a bad price for a completely new valve body with all new solenoids.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.ph ... 11&jsn=273

This is what has to be done to make the valve body compatible with Volvo.

AC Delco VB to Volvo Install Notes and Photos.pdf

(816.89 KiB) Downloaded 41 times

Here's great instructions on how to replace the valve body by Astro14.

2002-V70-XC-Valve-Body-Replacement-Notes.pdf

(3.26 MiB) Downloaded 44 times

[dikidera]

I looked at the information, I basically have almost every conceivable issue, except RPM flare. Hard shifts, both or up or down, coast clunk or jolt as the transmission goes neutral during braking. Kickdown hard downshift.

I have thought about it, but these kits all need manual calibration, and I'd prefer something which is install and forget. Furthermore, I have no level surface to work on. My garage has a hole in the middle, and out on the road, the surface is not level. Plus I am not too keen on having to drop the subframe, I've heard though it's possible to jack up the engine, which is again difficult on gravel non-level surface.

@firstv70volvo
As mentioned above, I do not have the necessary work environment for the gearbox. And if I buy a used gearbox + labor I think it would be a hard pass on the valve body. It's basically one OR the other.

[firstv70volvo]

I looked at the information, I basically have almost every conceivable issue, except RPM flare. Hard shifts, both or up or down, coast clunk or jolt as the transmission goes neutral during braking. Kickdown hard downshift.

I have thought about it, but these kits all need manual calibration, and I'd prefer something which is install and forget. Furthermore, I have no level surface to work on. My garage has a hole in the middle, and out on the road, the surface is not level. Plus I am not too keen on having to drop the subframe, I've heard though it's possible to jack up the engine, which is again difficult on gravel non-level surface.

@firstv70volvo
As mentioned above, I do not have the necessary work environment for the gearbox. And if I buy a used gearbox + labor I think it would be a hard pass on the valve body. It's basically one OR the other.

It's not a repair for everyone, especially if you don't have a decent work environment. Just be aware even with a used gearbox it might not be an install and forget type of repair. The valve bodies in these transmissions do wear and the linear solenoids do stick so there's a chance the VB in the used transmission may need some attention too. Your model year has fewer problems with the linear solenoids sticking.

[Krons]

If you want to continue to flush the transmission use Valvoline MaxLife ATF fluid and get it from Walmart. Much cheaper and this ATF works with this transmission. It's $26 a gallon. I don't this is going fix the shifting problems but it would improve confidence in the shape of the transmission if the fluid clears up.

I have a collective 50k+ miles with that fluid back when it was $17/gal. Now at $25/gal Mobil 3309 may make more sense. Brown fluid indicates it is either contaminated with dirt and/or the additive package is shot. Both will mess with proper functioning of the valves. Only downside is extra slippery-ness can cause clutches to not hold as good, but if you do not have slippage likely will be ok.

[dikidera]

Here is the condition of the used fluid before the very last drain fill.

[ignatz]

P1000698.JPG (228.3 KiB) Viewed 344 times

This is my atf fluid in my 02 V70 2.4t this morning. The last drain and fill was about one year ago. I'll probably do another drain and fill next year to keep it red, but its probably not necessary.
Remember that my original fluid was as crappy as yours, but I did more drain and fills.

[Krons]

The horse is dead but I’ll offer this last swing of the switch. I’d estimate you’d need 10 gallons of fluid with drain and fills to get that fluid clean being so filthy. I cannot imagine highly machined valves functioning well with that fluid.

Unfortunately money was likely wasted on any additives. Apologize for a disgusting analogy—kind of like cleaning a toilet with a turd in it. With no slippage and your shift quality I cannot think of a better trans cooler return flush candidate.

$75 plus tax shipped to your door, and easily done in your garage.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Valvoline-Ma ... A/15125768
Or $89 should you prefer Mobil 3309:
Mobil 1 55221 3309 Automatic Transmission Fluid - 1 Quart (Pack of 12) https://a.co/d/1sqZKtx

[dikidera]

I already did the trans cooler flush just a few days ago. But I used Ravenol. There is also Mannol jws3309 for about 8 dollars per liter. But 40 liters for a nice flush, in addition to the fluid I've bought up till now...yeah...

[Krons]

I already did the trans cooler flush just a few days ago. But I used Ravenol. There is also Mannol jws3309 for about 8 dollars per liter. But 40 liters for a nice flush, in addition to the fluid I've bought up till now...yeah...

Fluid clear and same symptoms? Sorry if so missed that earlier in the thread.

[dikidera]

Nope the fluid is most definitely not clear at all. I very much doubt it got clearer from the 3.3l I flushed.