Am I playing with fire?

[BigGreenThing]

Originally Posted by al dm

I am late to this thread, having only bought myself a lowly 2011 XC70 D3 2WD yesterday.

The car is basically immaculate, but has done 120,000 miles. Full service history etc and there is absolutely nothing wrong with it at all.

But....reading here and there about flushing the transmission and replacing the fluid got me thinking this was probably something I should do just for peace of mind.

So I popped into my local Volvo specialist (Doves near Horsham) and asked them about it. They said...."Nah, guv. It's sealed for life. No need unless you have been doing a lot of towing or taxi work. And it'll be pricey. At least two hours labour, plus fluids, parts, VAT etc..."

So - is the general wisdom here that it would be something that I should do? I am fully capable of doing the 3 litre drain/replace thing a few times. Not so sure about how to totally empty/flush it and replace all of the fluid though.

What say you???

I’ m the other side of the A23 from you with same spec and size motor and similar mileage XC70…except mine’s 6 speed manual. I’d sought gearbox oil change from dealer in Crawley. So it seems whatever the car/variant/model/year/mileage…Volvo don’t like to go anywhere near any kind of transmission.🤔

[eagle58]

I tried a Volvo specialist, not a dealer, near Gatwick and they said the same thing - it's not necessary.

I've looked into this and as I can't DIY, my take is that as I don't thrash it, and I don't think it's had a hard life when I got it a couple of years ago at 100k (105k approx now), should I worry about it?

The costs, (£400), and aggro of doing it means I think I'll just leave as is.

It's a C70 D5 and while I love it, I just can't see it doing another 100k or anything approaching that with Ulez, fuel costs etc etc.

That may or may not be the right decision but you have to make the call sometimes.

[al dm]

I am somewhat confused.... I have called Eastbourne and Guildford Volvo and am getting conflicting answers on the fluid type.

Guildford say "there's only one type of fluid for your box" and it's Volvo ATF. They wont give out a spec or part number and they also wont give out part numbers for the drain and level plug seals.

Eastbourne say "Hmm.....well it's most likely to the the JWS3324 equivalent. JWS3309 was the older type. Can't say for sure, but we'd just use "Volvo ATF".

The unspecified Volvo ATF is £84 for 4 litres. Eek!

On the other hand, I can buy 10 litres of AW1 fluid for £60 from Westway Oils, which says:

"ATF AW-1 Automatic Transmission Fluid for Aisin Warner

A long life high performance fluid designed for 6 Speed Aisin Warner transmissions which require the AW-1 specification ATF.

For use in the TF-71SC, TF-80SC (AWF21, AF40-6, AM6, AW6A-EL) and TF-81SC (AF21) model transmissions."

So that seems good for the TF-80SC transmission that I have, but then it also lists three particular variants of that transmission - AWF21, AF40-6, AM6 and AW6A-EL.....(am I overthinking this, maybe?)

Then if I look in the car manual, it lists two fluid types for the TF-80SC gearbox - JWS3309 (only applies to 2.5FT) and AW1 (applies to others). As my engine is the D3, it seems fairly safe that it needs the AW1 fluid.

Now, from what I have read, AW1 seems to be equivalent to JWS3324 and is the fluid used in 6 speed gearboxes, whereas JWS3309 was typically used in 5 speed boxes and is thicker. So that's another box checked.

Anyway. I am leaning towards the Westway AW1 fluid as it seems to be the right thing and reasonably priced. Has anyone used Westway oils and can recommend them? I have never heard of them before.

Finally, does anyone have the part numbers for the drain washer and level set o-ring by any chance? I'd like to replace those as well - or at least have them handy...

I think I have managed to unconfuse myself while writing this. It's a 6 speed Geartronic box. It uses AW1 fluid. 7 litres of it.

OK, final, final question....is the best procedure for replacing the trans fluid to do the 3 litre sump dump, replace with another 3 litres, then go drive the car a bit before repeating the process 2 or 3 more times? If so, how far to drive the car between drain/fill cycles? A few miles, an hour, a week, etc??

Sorry for the ramble, but I really want to make sure I get the correct fluid and get the job done properly!

EDITED to add: I think I figured out the part numbers for the washer and o-ring:

Hex 17mm washer is 30713220
Torx - 40 Black O-ring is 1233068

[bananarama]

Originally Posted by al dm

Then if I look in the car manual, it lists two fluid types for the TF-80SC gearbox - JWS3309 (only applies to 2.5FT) and AW1 (applies to others). As my engine is the D3, it seems fairly safe that it needs the AW1 fluid.

If it helps, my manual says the same thing, got me 15L of AW1 oil from Westway, I've been dropping 3L every 200miles, and the gearbox hasn't blown up yet. Caveat: I am no expert

[al dm]

Thanks!

10L of AW1 ordered from Westway, and 2 sets of the drain plug washer/o-rings on their way as well.

Just checked my tools and I don't have a 17mm hex bit, so I will go and get one of those later today...

[XC90Mk1]

Originally Posted by al dm

Thanks!

10L of AW1 ordered from Westway, and 2 sets of the drain plug washer/o-rings on their way as well.

Just checked my tools and I don't have a 17mm hex bit, so I will go and get one of those later today...

It all becomes a minefield however in esscence Aisin Warner make the box and AW1 is their late spec world oil suitable for Gen 2 TF-80SC boxes.

The Gen 2 differs from the Gen 1 in no way that anyone knows and it would appear the Gen 2 is simply fluid life configuration, I.e move from 3309 mineral oil to 3324 synthetic sealed for life.

My personal view is it will be 3324/AW1 as it’s a later box and almost all later 6 speeds are, although I note you are on a change over year. It’s also good Caffys Eastbourne say that’s what they would use.

The oil you have ordered has only had good service and recommendations from what I can see.

Clearly you always have to satisfy yourself however the approach you have taken is the same I would.

Regardi by the fluid change the only solid advice is don’t use the popular method of idling it in D,R, P and N as it does not mix the fluid. Simply drain out, refill with the same qty and then drive it 500 miles or a week (whichever comes first) as that will actually mix the fluid up.

I don’t bother refitting the cover underneath whilst working thoroughbthe changes.

I would set the level at the end by tipping an additional 1l into the box, parking it somewhere very level and undoing only the integrated level plug with the engine running. Wait with the vehicle operating for 25 minutes first so it’s to temp.

[bananarama]

Originally Posted by XC90Mk1

I don’t bother refitting the cover underneath whilst working thorough the changes.

Me neither!

For sanity check, I always use skandix along with the VIM number to make sure I haven't made a mistake.

For example! Apparently the part number for the 4 nuts on the driveshaft pulley is 985382 (M10x30mm) but Skandix says NO it is 985373 (M8x20mm)

[al dm]

Originally Posted by XC90Mk1

It all becomes a minefield however in esscence Aisin Warner make the box and AW1 is their late spec world oil suitable for Gen 2 TF-80SC boxes.

The Gen 2 differs from the Gen 1 in no way that anyone knows and it would appear the Gen 2 is simply fluid life configuration, I.e move from 3309 mineral oil to 3324 synthetic sealed for life.

My personal view is it will be 3324/AW1 as it’s a later box and almost all later 6 speeds are, although I note you are on a change over year. It’s also good Caffys Eastbourne say that’s what they would use.

The oil you have ordered has only had good service and recommendations from what I can see.

Clearly you always have to satisfy yourself however the approach you have taken is the same I would.

Regardi by the fluid change the only solid advice is don’t use the popular method of idling it in D,R, P and N as it does not mix the fluid. Simply drain out, refill with the same qty and then drive it 500 miles or a week (whichever comes first) as that will actually mix the fluid up.

I don’t bother refitting the cover underneath whilst working thoroughbthe changes.

I would set the level at the end by tipping an additional 1l into the box, parking it somewhere very level and undoing only the integrated level plug with the engine running. Wait with the vehicle operating for 25 minutes first so it’s to temp.

Very good - thank you!

So my plan is to do 3 fluid drain and replace cycles with a week spacing. I'll put the car on ramps for these. Hopefully they will yield around 3L each, then after the final one, park the car level, add the last 1L (or whatever is left) of my 10L), idle it for 20-30 mins and then do the level set.

If my fluid isn't looking nice and clean after the 3rd cycle, I can always get some more and do another cycle or two.

[al dm]

Right, that's the first drain/refill cycle done. Nice and easy. I think I will do three more cycles and call it good.

I got 3.5L out of the gearbox sump. And it certainly needed doing - it was black as coal and didn't smell too great. Mind you, the car runs just fine and I haven't noticed any issues with the gearbox, but better to do preventative maintenance now as it has done 120K miles. I don't do a lot of miles (probably less than 7k per year), so once the fluid is all changed, that should be it for the rest of the time that I have the car.

Earlier in this thread, it is mentioned that it took about 12 litres of fluid in all - but my manual says 7L. Is there another 5L or so in the torque converter?

Anyway, I had a good look around underneath the car while the old fluid was draining and I have so say it's in amazing condition for 120K miles.

EDITED to add, I have left the shroud off for now, so I can have a good look underneath to make sure nothing is leaking. I have replacement aluminium washers and o-rings for the drain/level plug, but the old ones looked perfectly good so I have left them on for now and will swap with new ones when I have do the final refill.

[Simmy]

there is aprox 5ltr in the torque converter and valve body i change 3 ltr atf every year at oil change time mine is still good at 243k.