Geartronix Oil Change

[alan48]

Hi Everyone
I need some clarification if possible.
I am looking to change the oil in my Geartronic box, however everyone I speak to has a different opinion on whether it should be done or not.
The local dealer and independants say no, this forum recommends it, further I cant find anyone local who is prepared to change the oil and filter for me, they all seem warey to undertake the job, I currently use an independant garage for my repairs.
So the question is, to change or not to change?
2006 v70 diesel 96k
P.S have changed timing and auxilliary belts and tensioners.
many thanks

Alan

[john493]

Worth changing at that mileage- (no accessible filter to change - not sure if there's one internally but nothing you can get at)- The Carlube ATF from GSF is reasonably priced and to the 3309 spec. Plenty of guidance on here ref how to do it - if you've done a timing belt, the ATF change will present no problems.

[kenny]

Yes change it. There are two ways to do it both with plenty of guides written. I prefer to change it by dropping the contents of the box and refill, do 500 miles then change again. Do this 4 times. Or try the Gibbons method. As I say plenty of guides just do a search. You might not notice much change right away, I have just done mine which is a phase 3 car and I have done about 3000 miles now and the gear change gets smoother all the time. I didn't feel there was anything wrong but I do notice it much better now.
Here is a link to the oil from an ebay seller in Germany, best price I could find.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/20-5x4-Lit...item339df404a2

[alan48]

Originally Posted by john493

Worth changing at that mileage- (no accessible filter to change - not sure if there's one internally but nothing you can get at)- The Carlube ATF from GSF is reasonably priced and to the 3309 spec. Plenty of guidance on here ref how to do it - if you've done a timing belt, the ATF change will present no problems.

Thanks john
I didn't do the timing belt got a local garage who specialise in volvo to do it for me, I can't do the oil change on the gearbox and I can't find a local garage who are prepared to do it for me, bit of a dilemma.

[cheshired5]

Originally Posted by alan48

I can't find a local garage who are prepared to do it for me, bit of a dilemma.

Maybe they think you want a flush which has been known to create headaches on some cars and of course they then become liable.
Getting them to literally remove a drain bolt then replace the same quantity that came out might be a more acceptable job for them..... and 2 or 3 repeat visits. Easy money. They'll like that idea.

[Symes]

My previous pair of V70s were auto and geartronic respectively (same box, different software and shifter stick) , I flushed the fluid using the Gibbons method on each and it made an immediate improvement to the change- the first one in particular, a 2001 auto used to jolt into D or R more often than not, but after the flush was litteraly like a new car, silky smooth shifts! The geartronic wasn't as rough, but still benefited from a flush, in semi auto mode the shifts were notably quicker (although still not 'race car' quick!) as were auto shifts.

Both on mine were based on the 5 speed box with a dipstick which could be used to refill, you may have the later box which I don't think has a dipstick, but a bolt instead, I seem to remember a thread not long ago with a picture of it's location.

My current 'daily' is a manual, but out of preference I'd go back to a geartronic, I spend too much time in traffic... ;-)

[Jim314]

Originally Posted by alan48

Hi Everyone
I need some clarification if possible.
I am looking to change the oil in my Geartronic box, however everyone I speak to has a different opinion on whether it should be done or not.
The local dealer and independants say no, this forum recommends it, further I cant find anyone local who is prepared to change the oil and filter for me, they all seem warey to undertake the job, I currently use an independant garage for my repairs.
So the question is, to change or not to change?
2006 v70 diesel 96k
P.S have changed timing and auxilliary belts and tensioners.
many thanks

Alan

I believe your transmission is 5-spd, right? Then it is an AW 55-50 or 51 SN. One MUST refill this through the ATF dipstick tube. There is a bolt on top which could be and is sometimes mistaken for a refill port for ATF, but it is not.

This bolt internally secures a band and removing it releases the band with the result of loss of a gear. The wicked fact is that one can add ATF through this port, leading one to think one is doing the right thing, until the vehicle is driven . . . It is sometimes possible to re-capture the band, but this is not simple and straightforward. Do not let anyone remove that bolt on top.

My wife's XC90 has the 6-spd auto and it does not have a transmission dipstick, but AFAIK the 5-spd autos all do have one. On my V70 it is low and in front on top.

[Symes]

Very good point Jim, now you mention it I recall that advice being posted here before - possibly by yourself. It would be an easy but frustrating / expensive mistake to make!

[alan48]

Originally Posted by kenny

Yes change it. There are two ways to do it both with plenty of guides written. I prefer to change it by dropping the contents of the box and refill, do 500 miles then change again. Do this 4 times. Or try the Gibbons method. As I say plenty of guides just do a search. You might not notice much change right away, I have just done mine which is a phase 3 car and I have done about 3000 miles now and the gear change gets smoother all the time. I didn't feel there was anything wrong but I do notice it much better now.
Here is a link to the oil from an ebay seller in Germany, best price I could find.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/20-5x4-Lit...item339df404a2

Hi Kenny

Many thanks for your help, have just ordered above oil from Germany should be her next Monday, so all systems go.
Im going to change the oil myself by the Gibbons method so hopefully should see and improvement.

thanks again

Alan

[wise old monkey]

heres a link on how to change your atf the easiest way, took me 30mins

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leBtEnEDAtc