92 940 gl transmission noise

pehoffer · Post by **pehoffer** » 03 Mar 2012, 11:53

I have a 92 940 GL non-turbo with 210k on it. The other day it started making an engine speed related noise so we had it towed home. I disconnected all the belts and started it briefly with the timing cover off. The sound seems to be from the underside rear of the engine or maybe the transmission. The automatic transmission fluid is mysteriously way overfull but it doesn't smell burned and I don't see particles on the dispstick I flushed the trans, put in a new volvo filter and kickdown cable about 4 months ago. It has run fine and the fluid has maintained proper level.

Its not a squeal or whine, more like a winding sound. My daughter did say that when she was driving it the rpms would go up but the car wouldn't go any faster. The transmission seems to engage in forward and reverse (I haven't tried to drive it). The sound is there even at idle and changes with engine speed.

Any ideas on the noise and the reason for the trans fluid seeming too full?

Thanks.

ed7 · Post by **ed7** » 04 Mar 2012, 12:47

This could be the center support bearing for the driveshaft or overdrive.
Sucking air is a possibility, or just Torque converter problems.
Weak, I know. Could be just a heat shield coming loose.
Ed

pehoffer · Post by **pehoffer** » 04 Mar 2012, 14:09

Just to clarify, the noise happens when idling in park / neutral as well as driving. If the transmission filter was plugged for some reason, would that cause the fluid to be like halfway up to the handle of the dipstick as well as the noise?

Thanks.

pehoffer · Post by **pehoffer** » 05 Mar 2012, 15:45

Excellent! Thanks for the extra info and explanation. I will try draining a little to see if its foamy.

pehoffer · Post by **pehoffer** » 05 Mar 2012, 21:26

I haven't had a chance to drain any yet, but I did notice that the level is still way over the full mark even after sitting for a day. There is the yellow plastic end of the dipstick with the markings on it and its about 2 inches above that. So it seems that the fluid is extremely high even before it warms up.

pehoffer · Post by **pehoffer** » 17 Mar 2012, 15:34

Drained the transmission pan today. Its been sitting for about 2 weeks. Doesn't smell burned but looks milky and pink, not red and clear. Would any entrapped air bubbles be gone by now? I put some of the fluid in a glass jar and it doesn't separate like I'd think it would if had water in it.

I flushed with AMSOil a few months ago, could that have dissolved built up varnish etc and clogged the filter? I guess the next thing is to remove the pan and check the filter.

Any additional thoughts are appreciated. Thanks.

pehoffer · Post by **pehoffer** » 17 Mar 2012, 17:47

Filter was full of sludge, but no metal in the sludge. What is the sludge made of? It was so plugged that the pump had actually bowed the metal strips on top of the filter trying to suck up fluid. Also, the fluid I've set out has started to separate into red and milky pink. Wonder if flushing the trans and then replacing filter again after a few hundred miles might fix things if the pump isn't toast. I have some pictures of the sludge and the fluid if that is helpful.

Thanks anyone.

pehoffer · Post by **pehoffer** » 17 Mar 2012, 17:50

Oh. If I pile all the sludge together its about the size of a big marble.