Late P80 power steering fluid - Not listed on parts sites? Topic is solved

[scot850]

I was trying to confirm the power steering fluid for the 00 R, this uses the later power steering pump like the P2's. It also uses the Pentosin not ATF power steering fluid. I know what I used last time, but can't find fluid listed on parts sites, and one that did had the wrong one as it had ATF.

I'll look up my old copy of Vida later.

Neil.

[MoVolvos]

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(EDIT: Used turkey baster to draw fluid out and add then quick circulate and repeat. This way less old and new mix. Have topped off or just one baster extraction / mixed without issue.)

P80 PWST fluids are ancient. As such most multi-vehicle transmission fluid will do. Have use around 4 cases of 12 qts per case of the Haveline in the fleet of various makes and models beside Volvos without issue. The best is Swepco 714 20W to solve the worse noisy or problematic transmissions and power steering.

Specific to P80 used the Swepco 714 20W it in the 98 S70 T5 back in 2012 and Haveline in the 00 S70 SE more recently.
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https://www.amazon.com/HAVOLINE-2265367 ... LXF34?th=1
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If it can do this for a racing transmission it can easily handle the P80 PWST.
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z Swepco 714.png (1.01 MiB) Viewed 534 times

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[FireFox31]

In my two 2000 V70 automatics with SMI racks, my research led me to using Aisin T-IV, FCP part # ATF-0T4, meeting the JWS 3309 standard. It is leaking out of one seal on each racks, likely because their seals are failing, hopefully not due to fluid incompatibility. On one, I removed the T-IV and switched to Mobil 1 synthetic ATF adding in 1:10 ratio mixed Valvoline MaxLife ATF Stop Leak. T-IV is not compatible with Mobile 1, thus the flush and switch.


My notes from researching which power steering fluid to use. It draws some logical conclusions so double check my work:

Steering fluid:
In the power steering system, the manual calls for 0.95 quarts (0.9 Liters) of ATF.
My 5-speed trans uses 1161540 gearbox oil which is JWS 3309 fluid. But the 4-speed uses Dexron III.
The 1161540 bottle says its compatible with both 5-speed and 4-speed, thus must work in a rack which would require either.


Transmission fluid:
The manual says AW 50-42 LE is AW4 4-speed and AW 50-50 LE is 5-speed. I believe "AW 50-50" is a typo. Every other source refers to AW55-50 LE.
Wikipedia says the transmission is Aisin AW55-50SN, which Volvo calls AW55-50 LE.
Volvocars.us VIC decoder reveals that AW55-50 started in 2000. 1998 and 1999 had 4-speed automatic.

The manual calls for 8 quarts (2 gallons, 7.6 Liters) of:
"AW4: ATF Dexron III and Mercon." That's the 4-speed automatic.
"AW5: Only Volvo gearbox oil (1161540-8). Do not mix with other oils."

1161540 (1 Liter, blue or orange bottle) is Volvo transmission oil. Per bottle, it's for "AW50-42LE (4 speed) and AW55-50/51SN (5 speed) as well as AWF21 generation I (TF80-SC), (6 speed), up to model year 2010."
JWS 3309 spec fluid is required for the AW55-50 LE, per Wikipedia. This convinced me to use JWS 3309.
Every retailer and forum post says JWS 3309 spec is type T-IV.

1161540 (1 Liter) is $15 at FCP, eEuro.
Aisin brand type T-IV fluid, part # ATF-0T4 is $7/Liter at FCP, eEuro.


Switch to thicker ATF:
"Many have stopped a P80 car rack from leaking by switching the PS fluid to Mobil 1 synthetic ATF or Valvoline MaxLife ATF Stop Leak." per erikv11, Ozark Lee, and others
"that is the *only* place on the car I would feel comfortable adding a stop leak product" per erikv11
Requires 0.9 Liters, probably more for a flush.
Seems like the Valvoline is a stop leak while the Mobil 1 is for non-leaking racks (but might help leaks).

10/2/22 -
"The problem with any stop leak product is that it's designed to plug up leaks which means it will turn into something hard! If you're extremely lucky it will find its way to the leak and nothing else, however most of the time it forms "balls" in whatever system it goes into and eventually makes everything worse." per JRL in 2011. Valvoline says it has additives to help the seals.

Valvoline and Mobil 1 are Dexron III and Mercon. I'm using JWS 3309 T-IV fluid. Don't mix them.

The Valvoline bottle says to mix it 1:10 with regular ATF in a transmission. What ratio should be used for the steering system?

[MoVolvos]

"The problem with any stop leak product is that it's designed to plug up leaks which means it will turn into something hard! If you're extremely lucky it will find its way to the leak and nothing else, however most of the time it forms "balls" in whatever system it goes into and eventually makes everything worse." per JRL in 2011. Valvoline says it has additives to help the seals.

Valvoline and Mobil 1 are Dexron III and Mercon. I'm using JWS 3309 T-IV fluid. Don't mix them.

The Valvoline bottle says to mix it 1:10 with regular ATF in a transmission. What ratio should be used for the steering system?

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Many fluids with JWS 3309 have other approval classifications as many multi-vehicle fluids. I believe the Chevron Havoline has the JWS 3309. Fluids have come a long way in terms approval ratings.

The stop leak you are referring to that hardens is for the cooling system. Stop leaks for the other systems soften / fatten seals / un-hardens, not a word, so they are pliable again to properly seal. The first photo below shows a fuller / fattened / rejuvenated seal. It probably did this for all the seals the Sealer came in contact with.
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Photo example of what ATP AT205 can do on a mystery drip that never left a drop on the driveway. Caveat, from many who have used this in the past, supposedly during the pandemic due to supply chain issues the formulation was changed. Others speculated to be environmental regulations and/or PC pressures on corporations to conform. The leak stopped sometime between an oil change interval.

https://www.amazon.com/ATP-AT-205-Re-Se ... B000NVW1LM
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03 S80 T6 Mystery Leak Transmission AT205 Fix After.png (1.72 MiB) Viewed 523 times

03 S80 T6 Mystery Leak Transmission AT205 Fix Before.png (1.82 MiB) Viewed 523 times

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[scot850]

I have used Blue devil and ATP-205 seal conditioners and they have worked on several RMS leaks and a few others.

The only time it failed me was on a friends RMS which was pushed out as we discovered later!

The power steering system will likely get the power steering turkey baster treatment and get done a couple of times. My buddy the former Volvo dealer mechanic is going to be here in a week or so for a trans swap on my friends XC60. I will get advice on doing the 'Volvo' flush from him for the future on both the XC70 and the 00R

Thanks guys!

Neil.

[abscate]

I run the same Valvoline dex 6 max life in my p80 power steering pumps as the AT fluid so I only carry one top off fluid. The only leak I’ve ever had was on a high mileage , 260k OE rack

[scot850]

I realize you can buy alternates, but the point is that not even the regulars (IPD/FCP) or any of the aftermarket suppliers in Canada have an oil listed for P80 power steering. That is the weird part to me.

Anyway, thanks to you guys I now have alternates to use although Swepco I don't know I have seen. I have heard of the brand, but don't know I have actually seen it up here.

Now off to look!

One last question. I have a half filled container (about 1/2 liter) of the correct Volvo fluid. I was going to use it but it has a 2017 manufacture code, but also a sell-by date of Nov 2022?? Is the power steering fluid hygroscopic? I can't recall if the containers come with a seal like many oil containers, so if it has been sitting for maybe 6 years since opening it is it best to dump it?

Neil.

[scot850]

Just looked up the Havoline, and the only place I can find it listed is Amazon.ca. They are out of stock, and they want $55 CDN for a quart. Volvo of Toronto are wanting $50 including taxes for the OE stuff?? I can get Valvoline ATF for $60 CDN for 5 liters from Canadian Tire locally:

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/valv ... 1598p.html

Again Swepco, is not available although listed at Amazon.ca. It is available from the US at Amazon.com, but is $105 US for a gallon but it won't arrive for about 3 weeks or so. No rush to have to do this, but like to get on with stuff while motivated!

Neil.

[MoVolvos]

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Friend who introduced me to Swepco use to serviced his GT2 at Andial. Dieter told him the 714 was in the factory transmission and owners manual indicated 100K intervals. Call Swepco and see if there is a local Rep near you. If you want to experiment with a few quarts he may be able to direct you to a local Porsche indie for a few. As mentioned I did a full flush with the 714 20W in the 98 S70 T5 back in 2012.

https://www.swepcolube.com/

https://flatsixes.com/cars/tuned-porsch ... h-america/

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Not just for the older tappet motors.


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[scot850]

Turns out that the 202 is compatible with the olde CF11S. My mechanic buddy sent me a note on it. So I already have a liter I bought by 'accident' of 202 recently. So that will work just fine. Also Volvo of Toronto are not allowed to ship fluids like this so I would be at the mercy of the local dealer pricing.............!!

Neil.