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

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70, V70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70-XC
1997 - 2004 C70

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Oro
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Re: Late P80 power steering fluid - Not listed on parts sites?

Post by Oro »

jmartin919 wrote: 10 Jul 2024, 18:41
Anybody else? III or VI?
Up to and through 00, Dex III.
01+ 3309 / T-IV (same thing; Mobil created T-IV for Aisin w/the internal code “3309.”)

T-IV is a friction modified, DexIII evolution. That’s why Dex III can be used to top up in an emergency (Aisin says so). But don’t do that unless a true emergency. The T-IV “evolved” to deal better with the higher heat and higher abuse in PWM clutches (“Pulse width modulated”).

Dex VI is technically backward-compatible with DexIII, but it’s still the wrong viscosity and shift quality is compromised. (I’ve run it in lieu of T-IV in some Lexus models as an experiment; switched back to 3309/T-IV). No reason to use it in a pre-2001, and it should never be in a 2001+ at all. Dex VI is a comparable generation fluid to Aisin WS, a low viscosity blend compromising protection in favor of minute mileage gains, and with further friction modifier alterations.

BTW, I ordered a bunch of Lexus parts (09 GS350 awd suspension rebuild) from RockAuto last week and noted they had genuine Mobil 3309 for $5.70/qt. After 5% discount.

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Caesium
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Post by Caesium »

Any Dexron III compatible will work so long as it is a FWD 4 speed Aisin Transmission. The 99 V70R and V70 XC and S70 AWD use Mobil 3309 / Toyota Type T-IV after a TSB was issued to switch over to it in the early 2000's to solve some lock up chatter that the transmissions could experience. The 2000 V70R and Base model V70 with the 5 speed transmission that likes to blow up also uses Mobil 3309 / Toyota Type T-IV.

viewtopic.php?t=3951&start=20

Here is the list of fluids I have in my 99' V70R as it sits in my garage right now.

Oil - Liqui-Moly 5W-40 Full Synthetic (only because FCP does their oil deal but I'll be switching to mobil 1)

Transmission - Mobil JWS-3309

Brake Fluid - Pentosin Super DOT 4

Power Steering - Pentosin CHF 202

Coolant - Zerex G48

Coffee - Hazelnut ;)
In the Garage
Viveka / 1996 850 N/A / Polar White + Oak / 154,9xx /
1999 V70 R AWD / Signal Red + Graphite / 171,8xx /
Previously Owned
Sada / 2011 C30 T5 M66 / Silver Metallic + Off Black / 129,7xx /
Blixt / 1996 855 R / Polar White + Dark Gray / 216,9xx /

jmartin919
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Post by jmartin919 »

Is Dexron VI considered Dexron III compatible?
'00 S70 GLT SE
'82 MB 380SL
'11 MB E350 Sport
'84 Chevy C10
'93 850 GLT NA SOLD

Oro
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Post by Oro »

jmartin919 wrote: 10 Jul 2024, 20:39 Is Dexron VI considered Dexron III compatible?
That is explained clearly above.

It is designed to do no harm in DexIII applications. But performance is compromised. Dex III is cheaper and it would be counterproductive.
Last edited by Oro on 10 Jul 2024, 22:07, edited 1 time in total.

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Post by MoVolvos »

jmartin919 wrote: 10 Jul 2024, 20:39 Is Dexron VI considered Dexron III compatible?
.
Should be backwards compatible but if you are having issues may have to use a Synthetic like the Havoline or Swepco 714. I've used 4 cases of 12 Qts per case of the Havoline on various makes and models in the transmission (full flush) and power steering without issue.

https://www.amazon.com/HAVOLINE-2265367 ... LXF34?th=1

Improvements in DexronVI over DexronIII
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threa ... st-3014880
.
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Post by MoVolvos »

jmartin919 wrote: 10 Jul 2024, 20:39 Is Dexron VI considered Dexron III compatible?
.
The OE DEXIII you speak of for the Volvo by GM has been no more since 2011. GM and Ford together came up with a fluid DEX VI / MERCON with each maker using the different name in 2005. That is why you see DEXIII/MERCON on the label of many fluids. There are no DEXIII fluids made and anything after the 2011 license ending period were unlicensed products. DEXIII can't be found so it can't be cheaper.

Try a few and see what works for you or try something others have had extensive experience with.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DEXRON

2005 – DEXRON-VI(J)

In a joint venture, Ford and GM collaborated on the development of a new 6-speed FWD transaxle (6T70/6F50). Both companies would share the designs and build their own transmissions. The design of these transmissions required a new fluid.

In 2005, Ford released the Mercon Low Viscosity (LV) fluid and GM released the DEXRON-VI specification.

All DEXRON-III (H) licenses expired permanently at the end of 2011, and GM now supports only DEXRON-VI fluids for use in their older automatic transmissions.[24] Aftermarket fluids asserted by their manufacturers to meet DEXRON-III(H) and earlier standards continue to be sold under names such as DEX/Merc. These fluids are not regulated or endorsed by GM.[23]

.
Blessings,

BKM


2008 C30 T5 2.0 M66
2007 S60 2.5T - New Project
2003 S80 T6 Transmission DIED
2000 S70 SE Base - New Project
1998 S70 T5 Prior
1989 240 Wagon Prior

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Post by Oro »

MoVolvos wrote: 10 Jul 2024, 22:42
There are no DEXIII fluids made and anything after the 2011 license ending period were unlicensed products. DEXIII can't be found so it can't be cheaper.
….
This is doublespeak nonsense.

Dex III products can be found from almost all reputable blenders. They have not paid for licensing as in the past, true. But that does NOT make them suddenly un-Dexron III. Because the fee is no longer collected does not turn them into something else. The specifications exist, and are met by each blender.

You can go out and buy this today. Do you think Mobil is lying when they state it is the Dexron III-H specification?
0E5EB102-0C3F-457A-90F4-C487E150A9DC.png
0E5EB102-0C3F-457A-90F4-C487E150A9DC.png (677.1 KiB) Viewed 188 times
Lastly, this is GM’s DexIII product, which you can go buy at any GM dealer.
3606D2BD-1E35-41AB-B563-23AA633E0793.jpeg
3606D2BD-1E35-41AB-B563-23AA633E0793.jpeg (80.23 KiB) Viewed 186 times

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Post by MoVolvos »

Oro wrote: 10 Jul 2024, 23:39
MoVolvos wrote: 10 Jul 2024, 22:42
There are no DEXIII fluids made and anything after the 2011 license ending period were unlicensed products. DEXIII can't be found so it can't be cheaper.
….
This is doublespeak nonsense. Nonsense is taking a portion out of context in order to call it nonsense. It make sense to everyone else as I was referring to the OE GM DEXIII which was in the Volvo manual but no longer available. Anyone reading the sentences before and after can make sense of the context.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DEXRON

Dex III products can be found from almost all reputable blenders. They have not paid for licensing as in the past, true. But that does NOT make them suddenly un-Dexron III. Because the fee is no longer collected does not turn them into something else. The specifications exist, and are met by each blender. "Aftermarket fluids asserted by their manufacturers to meet DEXRON-III(H) and earlier standards continue to be sold under names such as DEX/Merc. These fluids are not regulated or endorsed by GM.[23]"

Unless you know the spec and blend asserted by the not regulated or endorsed D/M DEX/MERC per your Mobil pictured, it adds no value to the topic as again, I started the discussion with GM OE DEXIII. Any product with D/M DEX/Merc is unlicensed, unregulated and not endorsed by GM as the OE DEXIII, which again is no longer available.


You can go out and buy this today. Do you think Mobil is lying when they state it is the Dexron III-H specification? Yes, you can buy the not regulated nor endorsed by GM D/M DEX/ MERC. Do I think Volvo was lying when they spec's lifetime transfluid. Do I think VW was lying about their Emission Submission to the EPA. Do I think Boeing... Unnecessary tangent and adds no value in the context of the conversation.

0E5EB102-0C3F-457A-90F4-C487E150A9DC.png

Lastly, this is GM’s DexIII product, which you can go buy at any GM dealer. "ACDelco is an American automotive parts brand owned by General Motors (GM). Factory parts for vehicles manufactured by GM are consolidated under the ACDelco brand, which also offers aftermarket parts for non-GM vehicles."

AC Delco branded parts consist of aftermarket parts not only for other makes but also the unlicensed, unregulated and not endorsed by GM aftermarket AC Delco DEXIII(H)

.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ACDelco
.
ACDelco DEXIII(H).png
ACDelco DEXIII(H).png (576.19 KiB) Viewed 170 times
.

3606D2BD-1E35-41AB-B563-23AA633E0793.jpeg
.
Please contribute with info to clarify and not take the obvious out of context so others aren't confused or taken on pointless tangents of the subject in the post. Would appreciate your effort in not distorting what I'm posting and in doing so turning it into nonsense for yourself and potentially others. Thanks!
.
Blessings,

BKM


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2007 S60 2.5T - New Project
2003 S80 T6 Transmission DIED
2000 S70 SE Base - New Project
1998 S70 T5 Prior
1989 240 Wagon Prior

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Post by Oro »

MoVolvos wrote: 11 Jul 2024, 10:55
.
Please contribute with info to clarify and not take the obvious out of context so others aren't confused or taken on pointless tangents of the subject in the post. Would appreciate your effort in not distorting what I'm posting and in doing so turning it into nonsense for yourself and potentially others. Thanks!
.
GM never tested DEX III licensees. They just collected a license fee, and relied on blenders to meet it. Keep in mind, GM is not a petrochemical company - even their product was outsourced. THUS: there is NO difference in the system now than in the past, other than the fact a licensing fee is not paid to GM, and their TM “Dexron” used in labeling. “DexIII” is the same as it always was, and it’s on the market everywhere, and cheaply. Adding confusing semantic lexicological debates about a few letters in the label is not helpful to anyone and betrays an ignorance of the process and what’s actually in the bottle.

It is apparent you do not have any formal chemistry training or understanding of this issue: for reference the assertion only SWEPCO fluids make tribofilms. Utter nonsense: you read some whiz-bang marketing stuff, thoroughly misunderstood it, and the regurgitated it incorrectly. Your advice is consistently nonsense wrt chemistry and oil formulating. I’d refrain from giving bad advice.

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Post by yanga001 »

In the interest of future readers can we agree on a summary for this?

P80 1998 and prior (your power steering pump will have the reservoir built into it), use Dex3 ie automatic transmission fluid for your power steering pump.

P80 99-2000 There is incorrect information in the owners manual, please use Pentosin fluids, ie PTS CHF11S CHF-202 or Volvo fluids for P2 (2001-2007 V70's) platform. This fluid is readily available at Volvo.

For the adventurous, you can navigate this thread and mix some good ATF with a variety of additive packages as spec'd by some members. This is a do at your own risk kind of advice. The standard service is Dex 3 ATF for 1998 and prior (remember, power steering reservoir is on the pump), and pentosin or volvo fluid for 99 and 00 (power steering reservoir is located near the coolant bottle).

There are a variety of ways to do a flush, please see page 2 videos and discussion. You can also just change the reservoir fluid.
1998 S70 N/A Auto (Parts car)(planned to be harvested)
1998 V70 N/A Auto New full restoration project (Water pump thrown at 404K Km)
1998 V70 N/A Auto (Workhorse) (Tree to driver B pillar :( )
1999 S70 T5 Auto(Project) (planned to be fixed)
2000 S70 SE M Learning platform (planned to be driven one day)
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