Anyone use a dedicated ATF flush machine to do the job?

[TurboBoss]

Hey Guys,

Have any of you has use a Flush Machine to flush your ATF fluid? I am thinking to use this method to flush the ATF on my 2007 XC90 3.2 AWD.

I know many of you have done this by yourself and I was thinking doing it myself but after checking the Movil 3309 and Toyota WS prices here in my country (Central America) it will cost less if I take the car to a dedicated oil lube Store.

A few weeks ago I took my 2007 Toyota Prado to this Oil Lube Store were they flush the ATF with Valvoline Max ATF. They put 20 quarts on the machine and I saw thru the clear hose how this machine pull out the old ATF and introduce the new ATF.

I told him that I have a Volvo and I want Movil 3309 and he says no problem that I just have to tell him when I want to do the flush and he will get the 20 quarts of Movil 3309

So here is what I will do on the XC90. I am going to do the flush, after he finish, I will drive the car for around 15 minutes to get the ATF to temperature, then he will rise the car in a car elevator and he will remove the integrated level plug in order that fluid coming out and get it to the correct level. If fluid does not come out, he will add more until it drop out. Then he will tighten the torx screw back in the integrated level plug.

Any advice with the method he will use to check the ATF fluid Level?

THX,

Isaac

BTW, here are some pics when I was doing the ATF Flush on the Toyota Prado

[kenny]

I have read on here that you should not power flush a volvo box, some report problems after. This was about the older 5 speed box.

I would not take the car for a drive before setting the level. Check out this guide from the v70 section.
http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=160569

[TurboBoss]

Originally Posted by kenny

I would not take the car for a drive before setting the level.

The guy explain me that this flush machine measure the amount of ATF that take out of the transmission and introduce the same amount of new ATF. So after it finish, the level has to be/will be the same. But I want to be sure the level its OK after he finish the job, thats why I want he remove the integrated level plug.

Isaac

[kenny]

Yes I understand that but if you read the guide in the link you need to check the level at the right tempreture if you take it for a 15 minute drive the ATF Fluid will be to hot and you will end up with the level being to low.

[TurboBoss]

Originally Posted by kenny

Yes I understand that but if you read the guide in the link you need to check the level at the right tempreture if you take it for a 15 minute drive the ATF Fluid will be to hot and you will end up with the level being to low.

When the fluid is between 50 ºC and 60 ºC, check that the transmission fluid has stopped running out and is only dropping from the level plug hole.
Caution! It is essential the temperature not exceed 60 ºC, as this can result in the transmission fluid level being too low.

I really dont undertand this. ATF fluid expand at temperature 50°/60° if it will more hot, how the level will be lower?

Rgs

Isaac

[kenny]

oil will expanded when hot. Do a Google search there are clever people that know about these things that will tell you it does. In the older boxes with a dip stick it has a cold mark and further up it has a hot mark. If you look at the power steering resevoir it also has a cold mark and further up it has a hot mark.
The instructions on how to change the ATF in the link are from Volvo. They say if you check it when it is to hot then your oil level will be low.
Given all these people that are far more clever than me say so I am happy to follow what they say.
I used the volvo quide to change my ATF and it all works so far.

[TurboBoss]

Hello Kenny,

Sorry if I dont express myself the way I want and confuse what I what trying to explain. English is my second language. :-)

I understand that the oil will expand under temperature

What I don’t understand is why I can’t drive the car for 15 minutes in order that the ATF is hot and “expanded” and then check the fluid level via the integrated level plug.

I have included here a pic of how the integrated level plug works. Keep in mind that this pic does not belong to any Volvo cars but it represents the same function that the integrated level plug does.

As you can see, when you are doing the ATF flush and you finish the job. You need to check the ATF level to make sure is on the right spot. You need that the ATF is hot.

So you drive the car in order that the AFT gets hot and expanded and “then” you remove the integrated level plug to drain the excess fluid……… Since the ATF will be hot and expanded it will be above the red tube you see on the pic and it will drain the excess until it get in the same high of the red tube and the level will be set correctly.

Hope this clear any miss understanding.

THX,

Isaac

[kenny]

I know how the level plug works. If you set the level when the fluid is to hot more fluid will come out, then it will be low when it is cold.
I guess Volvo think this will be a problem and why they say to check it at a set temperature.
I can only recommend you follow the instructions given by the manufacturer.

[RoyMacDonald]

Why don't you email Asin Warner tech support and ask if it's OK to machine change the ATF?

Every one on the forum and all the Volvo specialists use the Volvo instructions for changing the ATF so you probably won't get any useful advice here.

let us know how it goes.

Just to add, if you follow the Volvo flushing instructions 8 litres will give you a 90% fluid change (recommended) or 16 litres will give you a 100% change.

[RoyMacDonald]

Originally Posted by kenny

I have read on here that you should not power flush a volvo box, some report problems after. This was about the older 5 speed box.

I would not take the car for a drive before setting the level. Check out this guide from the v70 section.
http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=160569

That guide is for an automatic as far as I can see and is not the recommended way of changing a Geartronic box which should be done with the engine running using the cars pump to change the fluid.

That method will only change 40% of the oil so should not be used on a Geartronic. VIDA gives the correct instructions and there are some guides on the forum. Run a search for "Gibbons method"

Probably the reason for not using a machine to flush is that the box has a felt filter that traps dirt and a machine flush could dislodge the dirt into the gearbox.