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New Modified Transmission Flush Method with Pictures

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

This topic is in the MVS Volvo Repair Database » New Modified Transmission Flush Method with Pictures
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MadeInJapan
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Re: New Modified Transmission Flush Method with Pictures

Post by MadeInJapan »

Well put, Chuck...I agree 100%.
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wheelsup
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Post by wheelsup »

koziolek wrote:Can I just use any dextron III fluid from walmart to flush my AT transmission on my volvo 850?
I dont wona spent $90 doll for mobil 3309
I can do it for $40 buing just ordinary DextronIII
Em I going to damage my transmission if I buy castrol?
The "regulars" on here are going to cringe but I used the wal-mart special "Supertech" 4-qt. $9 jug for my drain/refills. I accomplished the 3rd one tonight. I didn't want to spend $100 just to find out my tranny was toast anyway. For $27 it sure did make an amazing difference. My radiator connector is actually pretty rusted I'm scared to take it off, however now that I've accomplished this 3rd drain/refill and am happy with the results I'm considering buying a name brand Dex III to do the whole flush. Although I probably won't go synthetic, just yet. We'll see.
1995 850 GLT Wagon w/ 200,000 miles

koziolek
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Post by koziolek »

So castrol from walmart for $13 for 4 liters is it just fine?

MadeInJapan
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Post by MadeInJapan »

Should be, as long as it's Dexron III.
'98 S70 T5 Emrld Grn Met/Beige Tons of Upgrades Mobil-1
'04 V70 2.5T Red/Taupe Some Upgrades Mobil-1
'07 S40 T5 AWD 6 speed manual! Silver/Black Stage1 Heico & Elevate
'07 S60 2.5T Blue/Taupe- my kid's Volvo

ArtCan
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Post by ArtCan »

My trans. flush went well ('98 S70), except for a minor leak at the rad. even with a new O ring from Volvo. A few rounds of teflon tape over the O ring solved the problem. The rad. is after-market, so I'm quessing the fit is off a bit.

larryh
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Post by larryh »

ArtCan wrote:My trans. flush went well ('98 S70), except for a minor leak at the rad. even with a new O ring from Volvo. A few rounds of teflon tape over the O ring solved the problem. The rad. is after-market, so I'm quessing the fit is off a bit.
uhhhh, that sounds really sketchy. That connection isn't meant to have teflon tape and I think it'll let go at some point and leave you stranded....I would get another set of o-rings (there are two on each fitting) and a new clamp and a new fittting and try again. It's a lot cheaper than a tow job and a new tranny.

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instarx
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Post by instarx »

wheelsup wrote:The "regulars" on here are going to cringe but I used the wal-mart special "Supertech" 4-qt. $9 jug for my drain/refills. I
Be very careful about any automotive fluids you buy at Wal-Mart. There is a reason supertech ATF is $2.20 per quart and not $10 -- and it isn't because Wal-mart is such a good negotiator. Although much of it looks name-brand it is often special order Wal-mart stuff. For example, Wal-mart sells "ExxonMobil SuperTech 5W-40" motor oil that is a very low-quality base oil with very few additives (source: Bob's The Oil Guy). You can't buy that oil anywhere but at Wal-mart even though it looks like a genuine national Exxon brand.

I don't know this for a fact, but I suspect that "Supertech" is the wal-mart house label that is always formulated to sell at the lowest possible price.

If you buy oil there make sure the label is exactly the same as an oil you can buy somewhere else, like at an Autozone. If you can't find "Supertech" transmission fluid anywhere but at Wal-mart you are taking a big risk in my opinion. This isn't a rant on Wal-mart - just a fact.
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MadeInJapan
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Post by MadeInJapan »

I don't know what the quality of the Walmart ATF is either but if I were adding non-synthetic oil to my transmission, I would be tempted to use this cheap stuff in the initial process of the flush. I would say to just make sure the labeling on the bottles say that it meets all specifications for Dexron III. You'll probably be okay.
'98 S70 T5 Emrld Grn Met/Beige Tons of Upgrades Mobil-1
'04 V70 2.5T Red/Taupe Some Upgrades Mobil-1
'07 S40 T5 AWD 6 speed manual! Silver/Black Stage1 Heico & Elevate
'07 S60 2.5T Blue/Taupe- my kid's Volvo

MadeInJapan
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Post by MadeInJapan »

koziolek wrote:Can I just use any dextron III fluid from walmart to flush my AT transmission on my volvo 850?
I dont wona spent $90 doll for mobil 3309
I can do it for $40 buing just ordinary DextronIII
Em I going to damage my transmission if I buy castrol?
Sorry I didn't see this earlier. If your car calls for #3309 tranny fluid, you will mess up your transmission if you use regular Dex III. You really have no choice in this. Just shop around and buy the least expensive JWS-3309 forumulated ATF (buying the Type IV fluid from Toyota comes to mind here- it's the same stuff, but to make sure, ask the guys behind the counter).
'98 S70 T5 Emrld Grn Met/Beige Tons of Upgrades Mobil-1
'04 V70 2.5T Red/Taupe Some Upgrades Mobil-1
'07 S40 T5 AWD 6 speed manual! Silver/Black Stage1 Heico & Elevate
'07 S60 2.5T Blue/Taupe- my kid's Volvo

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instarx
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Post by instarx »

MadeInJapan wrote:I would be tempted to use this cheap stuff in the initial process of the flush. I would say to just make sure the labeling on the bottles say that it meets all specifications for Dexron III. You'll probably be okay.
Oh I agree - for a flush/drain it would likely be fine. I'm no expert in ATF, but knowing how Walmart specs their house branded motor oils I would not go so far as to say that their $2/quart SuperTech Dexron III ATF fluid would be fine to use permanently. Just my opinion.
2011 XC70 T6 - current
2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Q2 - Totaled in 2022. Not my fault.
2011 XC60 - sold
2000 V70XC - given to a friend, wish I still had it.

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