V70 Geartronic - new valve body?

[vtl]

What you hope Seafoam is helping with in this transmission?

[Willber]

There is sludge on the drain plug magnet between drain and fills, certainly when I did it last which was circa 5k miles since the last one (with several more before that in short succession to replace as much fluid as possible). When I say sludge I mean that I can clean 'stuff' off of the drain plug magnet before reinstalling...

Does that imply more friction material wear than usual?

Thanks

[vtl]

It is "normal", especially if ATF is weak on friction modifier (aftermarket or old worn OE ATF). The transmission wears clutches every time it engages them.

[Willber]

I thought it was quite normal to get that. Flakes/chunks in the old fluid would be more concerning I'd imagine?

Another thing ive noticed; if I drive the car in manual geartronic mode and shift gear myself, the car then drives smoother once I put it back into auto mode again. This makes me think manual geartronic mode frees up the solenoids or gearbox somehow compared to auto?!

[vtl]

Flakes/chunks in the old fluid would be more concerning I'd imagine?

These are filtered out. Only a soot-like particles can sneak by the fine filter mesh.

Another thing ive noticed; if I drive the car in manual geartronic mode and shift gear myself, the car then drives smoother once I put it back into auto mode again. This makes me think manual geartronic mode frees up the solenoids or gearbox somehow compared to auto?!

Run transmission adaptation cycle (need DiCE/VIDA for that).

[Willber]

My neighbour has a professional diagnostic tool (not Dice / Vida) but has the options on it. I will do the Reset Adaptation and see how that goes rather than the full Control Module Adaptation (requiring the driving procedure/flashing triangle on dash)

[vtl]

No, reset is a different thing. You want control module adaptation and follow a very specific drive pattern for about 40 minutes or so.