Need to untangle transmission/engine problems, please advise! (S60 2001)

[vtl]

Oh and he told me he uses Ardeca full synthetic, not Kroon. I believe it to be this one (translated from Dutch), the characteristics are listed at the bottom of the page, no idea what they mean though

cSt@100 is only 7.0, Volvo OE has a higher viscosity.

[musje83]

Thank you so much, that's exactly what my gut feeling was telling me, but when a 'specialist' keeps insisting otherwise, it's hard to make a decision.

So, looking at the Ardeca specs and given the fact it's full synthetic, would you say it's similar to the JWS-3309's you have tried and eventually rejected? And given the fact I had a flush (with added cleaner) 4,5 months ago, would you advise on a manual flush of my own (as described on this forum) or should I go to my local flusher with 4x 4l OEM oil and have him do it?
Also, any additives (conditioner?) needed or just the fluid and nothing else?

[vtl]

Ardeca is close to Valvoline MaxLife: synthetic, thin. As stated above, Valvoline didn't work fully satisfactory for me (nor any other fluid on the list). One funny thing about synthetic ATF: it shrinks a lot in cold weather. One freezing morning you may be puzzled by a totally dry transmission's dipstick with no signs of leak under the car.

I would trust more to Volvo enthusiasts, who put a mineral-based Mobil 3309 plus friction enhancing additives. This is seems what Volvo is doing. But I had enough experiments with transmission, don't want to "save" money any more

[musje83]

Cheers vtl, much appreciated.

Which additive(s) do you recommend? Are they universal (synth/min) or should I be careful choosing one? Anything on Ebay.co.uk or Ebay.de I can order, from the US is more difficult.

Oh and I'm confused, should I buy the OEM 1161540 or Mobil 3309 or are they otherwise identical?

[vtl]

I didn't mess with fiction enhancing additives.

Mobil 3309 and OE ATF are not the same. Buy 3 jugs of 1161640 (4l) or 12 jugs 116540 (1l), flush yourself.