Volvo 240 1989 Transmission Problems

Cassman500 · Post by **Cassman500** » 28 Sep 2009, 21:27

i recently bought a volvo 240 with 214,000 miles on it, relatively low for a Volvo of that age. quickly i noticed that it was taking a very long time for it to shift from 2nd to 3rd gear, reving the engine fairly high, and i have to take my foot off the accelerator for it to shift. some times even 1st to 2nd. once in a while when i shift into D i can hear the transmission making a sort of crunch noise, not terriable but definatlly there. I know it is a broad description but im just curious as to the check list for figuring out what needs to be done. if it is simple enough as changing and flushing the transmission fluid? Thanks a lot, Andrew

Post by **billofdurham** » 29 Sep 2009, 12:44

Check the transmission fluid for quantity and for colour/smell.

Good fluid should be a nice red colour and should have no real smell. Bad fluid is brown and will smell burned.

On your car the transmission fluid should be changed every 20,000 miles (32,000 kms). The filter clean/change was dropped from the service schedule in 1990.

Bill.

Cassman500 · Post by **Cassman500** » 02 Oct 2009, 16:47

i checked the fluid. it was a dark redish brown, no smell and the level seemed to be fine. it doesnt shift until the engine is reved up and then i take my foot of the gas. is it my timing belt or anything else i could check?

Post by **billofdurham** » 03 Oct 2009, 15:55

the level seemed to be fine

How did you check the level?

Bill.

Cassman500 · Post by **Cassman500** » 03 Oct 2009, 23:34

i drove the car about 20 minutes away where i take classes. left it idling in park, pulled out the dipstick, whipped it off then re-inserted it and checked it. it was normal, then i shut it off and repeated the same process and it was a little higher. i believe its more then the fluid because of the shifting and the noises i hear. i just want to know what else it could possible be. a check list of sorts, even if its ten items long, i want to figure it out.

Post by **billofdurham** » 04 Oct 2009, 12:35

Near enough on the fluid check but the attachment has the recommended method. It also has the only other thing I can think of to check as auto boxes are a specialist job.

Servicing.pdf: (237.26 KiB) Downloaded 523 times

I would recommend that you replace the fluid and see if that makes any difference. Otherwise I think you should visit an auto transmission specialist who should be able to give a diagnosis.

Bill.

Cassman500 · Post by **Cassman500** » 05 Oct 2009, 16:55

i had my ATF exchanged today and i also added a bottle of lucas, it seems to be running better i hope that solves the problem. Thanks for the help.

Post by **billofdurham** » 06 Oct 2009, 11:17

You are welcome. Thank you for the update.

Bill.