V70: Gearbox Am I being taken for a ride?

[radial]

Hi Guys,

I've got an 01' V70 T5, and I've had an ongoing problem with my gearbox for the last 8 months or so, harsh down shifting, 3rd > 2nd & 2nd > 1st, and going from D to R.

It went in to (at the moment un-named transmission specialist) and it was initially diagnosed as a faulty Valve Body but they needed to strip the box down to confirm, this was before Christmas, but because they had a shortage of staff leading up to Christmas I took the car home and they picked it up on the 4th Jan to sort the problem out.

They have since stripped the gearbox down completely to diagnose the fault properly. I have just spoken to them and am now being told it's the Clutch Drum?!? on 3rd and Reverse that has cracked and that it's going to cost about £1,400 to repair, is this right, or am I about to be ripped off?? I have RAC warranty on the car at the moment and they will pay up to £1,000 of the cost (pending an engineer visit tomorrow)

Just wondering what peoples opinions are on this as I am no mechanic.

Many thanks for any help or advice.

Chris.

[radial]

wow 89 views and no answer

[norfolkboy]

You don't say what the mileage is but if you can get the gearbox rebuilt for £400 (£1400-£1000 on warranty) Iwould get it done. Then you should have peace of mind for the length of the transmission specialists warranty.

[cookie]

You say its an 01 car, yet you've posted in Gen 3 section. There are NO gen 3's AFAIK that are out of Volvo Warranty yet, hence why probably no one bothered to answer.

as said if car is 8 years old, the RAC warranty inspector is going to look at it, see what he says, and TBH you will probably be forced finacially to agree, as if you argue, your car will remain in bits till its settled, and you may find fault isn't then covered,

Assuming inspector agrees, and RAC foot the 1000 of bill, its cheaper for you to pay 400 quid difference for reconned box, that has warranty, than pay 400+ to have gearbox put back together still faulty.

Has car had TCM update, and check that counter is reset and Genuine Volvo Fluid is being used (and rest of system flushed) its probably 40-60 more at most for genuine volvo fluid (assuming they are using something 'compatible'), and for peace of mind is a no brainer.

[radial]

Thank you for the replies guys, I do apologise cookie, I thought I had posted in the correct part of the forum. I was just a little concerned that the transmission place were piling on the money because they knew it was a warranty job having never had to have this done before. Just fyi norfolkboy the car has done just under 53k.

Cookie, the car had a TCM update and flush a few months back at Independent Volvo Services in Letchworth, I will ask the Transmission people today about the Volvo fluid and find out about the Engineers report.

Cookie, out if interest what major difference will Volvo fluid make over what ever else they use?

Thank you for your assistance guys, I do appreciate it, and if a mod could move my post to the appropriate part of the forum that would be most appreciated.

All the best,

C.

[Chauffeurdude]

Not conversant with Volvo autoboxes and don't want to be (I have six speed manual D5) but also have a VW Transporter Shuttle which is Tiptronic Auto. Had to have that rebuilt last year and cost nearly £1500.00 with VAT etc. Does not seem too bad a price especially if warranty company paying £1000.00. I see where you're coming from about them trying it on as that is commonplace. However I would take it on the chin and get it rebuilt. As others have said make sure correct fluid used to alleviate further problems. Even though my Transporter uses expensive fluid have flushed and replaced it already after about 25,000 miles to be on safe side!!

[cookie]

there is a spec sheet for Volvo's Gearbox oil, but same specs don't mean same make up, using an equivelent may or may not work long term, others will testify about using equivelent oils and finding problems afterwards (poor gear changing/slipping etc....) and then (at further expense) flushing and refilling gearbox with genuine fluid and problems dissapear.

its IMHO far to big a gamble to use anything but genuine oil (i.e. - out of a volvo bottle, if it isn't from Volvo in a sealed Volvo Bottle, I wouldn't use it)

[smithy]

Originally Posted by radial

Hi Guys,

I've got an 01' V70 T5, and I've had an ongoing problem with my gearbox for the last 8 months or so, harsh down shifting, 3rd > 2nd & 2nd > 1st, and going from D to R.

It went in to (at the moment un-named transmission specialist) and it was initially diagnosed as a faulty Valve Body but they needed to strip the box down to confirm, this was before Christmas, but because they had a shortage of staff leading up to Christmas I took the car home and they picked it up on the 4th Jan to sort the problem out.

They have since stripped the gearbox down completely to diagnose the fault properly. I have just spoken to them and am now being told it's the Clutch Drum?!? on 3rd and Reverse that has cracked and that it's going to cost about £1,400 to repair, is this right, or am I about to be ripped off?? I have RAC warranty on the car at the moment and they will pay up to £1,000 of the cost (pending an engineer visit tomorrow)

Just wondering what peoples opinions are on this as I am no mechanic.

Many thanks for any help or advice.

Chris.

if i was you i would convert it to a manual it would be alot cheaper