lucas oil stabilizer

volvonewbie18 · Post by **volvonewbie18** » 22 Feb 2009, 08:39

hey, i have a 01 s40 w/ 122k on it...just bought for 3500, i took it to an independent mech. it has sevice records up until 06..i can't tell just by looking what was done but the mech said that it really needs the trans serviced or flushed (it drives fine 4 a car at its age but i do notice a small jerk when it switches gears) could this have anything to do w/ motor mounts? since its been serviced should i do the full flush or the basic flush. that was the only thing the mechanic said was wrong with it...it does come up for inspec in march so i really wanna learn to do most of the easier stuff on my own. what else would you recommend i do/change/check. Oh, almost forgot...do u recommend that lucas oil stabilizer?

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 22 Feb 2009, 08:58

Welcome to MVS.
Don't add the Lucas snake oil to your transmission. It might be fine with some other maker's tranny's but not Volvo's. Ours are very finicky and you have a good chance of really messing things up by putting additives in it- despite what others say about Lucas. Yes, by all means do a full flush! Your transmission's life (despite what the dealer says) is dependent on clean fluid- and make sure you use the right stuff. In your car, I believe you have to use the JWS-3309 compliant fluid- check your owner's manual to be sure and then do a search here for the fluid- there are other alternatives besides the expensive Volvo fluid (same thing, btw). Also, the jerkiness indeed can be your motor mounts and at the age of your car, I would say that you have at least one or maybe more than one mount that is bad.
Good luck and please post back to let us know what you decided to do and how it turned out.
-MIJ

volvonewbie18 · Post by **volvonewbie18** » 22 Feb 2009, 11:12

hey, thanx for the advice...ok, full flush it is..but i'm having a hard time finding mobile 1/JWS 3309, no one has it and they keep tellin me i can use the regular cvt stuff since my manual says to use dex 3 and mercon, seems like they kno nothing about the volvo requirements. also, i got some iso heet premium fuel line antifreeze, and i got the castrol synthetic 5W30 (per manual). should these be ok? also, are motor mounts something i can do or is that dealer stuff. what else would u recommend as far as basic maintenance stuff...i luv this car and wanna give it the best possible care.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 22 Feb 2009, 17:42

I think your choice of oil is fine. You can do the motor mounts yourself, though a couple might be a bit tricky- you might check over on http://S40concepts.net/forum/ for a how-to.

If your car has a 5 speed auto, it will need the #3309 fluid (check to make sure- gear shift should say "4" before "D" for drive and have 3 or Low under it...but it will say "4." If it doesn't there's a chance these guys are right and you don't need the #3309, but I don't know 'cause I don't have an S40). Okay, with that out of the way, I found these instructions for your car's tranny flush...I think it will help more than what's on our site!
http://s40concepts.net/forum/index.php? ... 0&count=15

Oh, and I was going to mention that if you can't find the #3309 fluid locally, you can go to the Toyota dealer and buy their ATF Type IV fluid- it's the same thing, or you can order the Mobil-3309 off line at http://store.avlube.com/mobilatf3309.html (that's what I've done). Oh, and FYI, it's not Mobil-1 3309....just Mobil-3309. Even if your car calls for Dex-III and you end up putting #3309 in it, it won't hurt it a bit- you just don't want to go the other way.
Good luck and post back!
-MIJ

volvonewbie18 · Post by **volvonewbie18** » 23 Feb 2009, 21:05

just got done with the flush and my baby runs soooo beautifully...i couldn't be any happier. Being that this is the first time i've done anything to a car other than refueling, i feel pretty accomplished...although it took almost 3hrs in the freezing cold. next on the list...motor mounts

gotta give a shout out to madeinjapan...my mechanic on call, i appreciate all your help...this is the best website ever, i luv it

volvonewbie18 · Post by **volvonewbie18** » 24 Feb 2009, 13:02

i was told that it would be wise to put in a tranny fluid repair...the trans flush solved the slipping almost 90%, do u think i need this repair fluid or are they just tryna make another sale?

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 24 Feb 2009, 17:49

tryna make another sale.