740 ATF

[woodst]

First off, please be patient, it is my first post and I am not very "car smart". I have tried to search the forum already but don't know if I have the right answers to my questions.

We have a 1990 740 GL, not turbo. Has over 430,000 km on it. Recently it started not shifting up unless it reached very high RPMs.

We checked the ATF level based on instructions from this forum and it is low. Here's my questions:

1) How do we add ATF fluid (from what I can tell, you need to add via the dipstick tube with a funnel)?

2) It likely needs a drain but we are cash strapped right now, so is it harmful just to add at this point?

3) Do we need to use Dexron IID or Mobil Synthetic ATF fluid? We don't know what is currently in there right now. Is there a reason we couldn't use a universal atf fluid?

4) Can someone direct me to a link on instructions (including pics) of how to do a transmission drain.

Thanks in advance!

[JDS60R]

You can add throgh the dipstick but you have to drain or remove the fluid by suction thorugh the dipstick first.

I am not sure of exactly which fluid you use so check your user manual. Some of the online boards kept refering to a different fluid than you had stated (Type F)

If you are low then add. I do not know what shape your fluid is in but if it is not cherry red cool aid looking and slippery to the touch then you should replace as much as you can afford.

Keep inmind that if the transmission has an interal filter or internal problem that swapping out the fluid may not fix your issue.

But fresh fluid has helped many a transmission. make sure to use they type reccomended - be sure about the type as the wrong fluid will hurt/ruin the tranmission internals and it will be costly to repair/rebuild.

Double checking the type is very improtant. You can call a volvo dealer or a local parts store.

Let me know if you have other questions,

[billofdurham]

Welcome to Matthew's Volvo Site.

1. That is how you do it. Pour it in slowly as the tube is not very wide. Don't add too much as it is as bad for the box as too little.

2. The fluid should be changed every 20,000 miles or 32,000 kms.

3.Use Dexron. At this stage in its life synthetic fluid would be harmful. You will find that Dexron 11 has been replaced by Dexron 111. It is an improvement.

4. To drain the fluid you simply remove the drain plug and let it pour out into a container. If you wish to flush the oil cooler you disconnect the fluid return pipe from the transmission, place the end of the pipe in a container, add approximately 3.4 litres of fluid to the transmission, start the engine and let it idle. Turn off the engine when clean fluid comes out of the pipe. Reconnect the pipe and fill the transmission.

This, obviously, is the expensive option. How long is it since it was flushed? Does the fluid appear or smell burned? The fluid should be red in colour. If it is then a simple drain will do. If it is brown it is burned and needs to be flushed.

At this time I don't have pictures handy but I shall find and post some if you need them.

You may read on this and other Volvo forums about cleaning the gearbox fluid strainer. Disregard this as Volvo took it out of the service schedule in 1990.

Bill.

[woodst]

Thanks for the help! Well definitely needs a flush because the atf is not cherry red - more like dark brown. And to be honest, we inherited the car a few years ago and we haven't done it since we've owned it. Manual says Dexron IID.

So my understanding of your instructions of doing a flush, the only true expense would be the cost of the new atf fluid (and would likely need approx 7 litres or so?) I think we could handle this cost.

Thought I read something on one of these forums about an atf flush causing problems?

I will look for the Dexron III, but from my google search, looks like it is discontinued and may be hard to find? Any other alternatives?

Bill, if you are able to find pics to help us with the flush, we would be grateful!

Tia

[billofdurham]

You may need a little more than 7 litres as the total capacity is 7.5, but it shouldn't be too much more. Dexron 11D is no longer produced but you should be able to still get Dexron 111.

As usual I have loaned out the file that has most of the pictures in it so I have had to fall back on Haynes:

740 auto box flush.pdf

(172.04 KiB) Downloaded 265 times

It is a simple job. Just make sure you clean the union on the cooler line before removing it to stop dirt getting into the box.

Thought I read something on one of these forums about an atf flush causing problems?

That is something I have read also but my friends in the trade don't hold much store by it. Their collective opinion is that a flush is necessary if the fluid hasn't been changed at the required intervals. If you only drain the sump you only remove about 1/3rd of the dirty fluid. Needless to say the remaining 2/3rds will soon contaminate the new fluid. Do the flush this time and in 32,000kms you should get away with a drain and fill. At that time check the colour of the fluid and it should still be red.

Bill.