Am I playing with fire?

[XC90Mk1]

The issue is that it is ‘sealed for life’ but that’s not sealed for ever and at north of 100,000 miles Volvo would probably agree it has had its life, whereas you no doubt would he extremly annoyed should it fail.

From memory (I have done it twice) the first thing to do is get a torx 55 for the fill plug (this is large so check you have one).

Clearly undo the refil first so you don’t dump them have issues.

Then with the engine off pull out the integrated leve plug (which is a torx 40 from memory) and then undo the drain which is a 17 or 19mm hex (I can’t remember).

Place the drain and integrated leve back in and add the same you removed.

It’s really not very hard and is likely to give you considerably improved life and shifting etc.

I would caution on a 2011 that you are at a changeover year so do take care to ensure you get the correct fluid which I assume woll he jws3324 and not jws 3309 (it’s possible but not likely to be 3309). Note the fluids are not comparable.

Give Chris or Ashley at Eastbourne Volvo a call* and ask for a discount. It will still be expensive but I personally use correct Volvo fluid. I personally use 12l but I wouldn’t worry about using 8l to save some money.

* I don’t know them but buy all my stuff from them.

One point I would note is that in my experience none of the seals leak or cause issues however bear in mind the o-ring seal for the integrated level plug is only a elastomer type so may get cut (I would replace it). Also do bear in mind the Integrated leve plug is torqued to 8nm which really is not a lot.

You are supposed to set the level at 50-60 degrees which in practice means start the engine and leave 30 minutes so it’s hot. You are also supposed to reset the adaptations and reset the counter but in reality you won’t have any issue not doing so.

I have done this twice on mine and at 125k mine shifts as smooth as silk

[al dm]

Originally Posted by XC90Mk1

The issue is that it is ‘sealed for life’ but that’s not sealed for ever and at north of 100,000 miles Volvo would probably agree it has had its life, whereas you no doubt would he extremly annoyed should it fail.

From memory (I have done it twice) the first thing to do is get a torx 55 for the fill plug (this is large so check you have one).

Clearly undo the refil first so you don’t dump them have issues.

Then with the engine off pull out the integrated leve plug (which is a torx 40 from memory) and then undo the drain which is a 17 or 19mm hex (I can’t remember).

Place the drain and integrated leve back in and add the same you removed.

It’s really not very hard and is likely to give you considerably improved life and shifting etc.

I would caution on a 2011 that you are at a changeover year so do take care to ensure you get the correct fluid which I assume woll he jws3324 and not jws 3309 (it’s possible but not likely to be 3309). Note the fluids are not comparable.

Give Chris or Ashley at Eastbourne Volvo a call* and ask for a discount. It will still be expensive but I personally use correct Volvo fluid. I personally use 12l but I wouldn’t worry about using 8l to save some money.

* I don’t know them but buy all my stuff from them.

One point I would note is that in my experience none of the seals leak or cause issues however bear in mind the o-ring seal for the integrated level plug is only a elastomer type so may get cut (I would replace it). Also do bear in mind the Integrated leve plug is torqued to 8nm which really is not a lot.

You are supposed to set the level at 50-60 degrees which in practice means start the engine and leave 30 minutes so it’s hot. You are also supposed to reset the adaptations and reset the counter but in reality you won’t have any issue not doing so.

I have done this twice on mine and at 125k mine shifts as smooth as silk

Great stuff - many thanks for the detail. I do have the correct Torx bits, torque wrenches etc, so no problems there. But a couple of questions if I may:

How do I determine which gearbox my car has? Maybe a stupid question, but the manual lists two possible options - an MPS6 or a TF-80SC, and as you say they both want different fluids. The MPS6 wants BOT341 fluid, while the TF-80-SC want JWS3309 (same as Toyota Type 4 believe??) or AW1.

Second, when you drain your fluid, do you just put the car up on ramps or axle stands and do it that way? I don't really have access to a lift without paying a mechanic to do the fluid replace....

Good point on the o-rings and seals. I normally always replace drain plug o-rings on my motorcycles when I change oil, so will do the same here. Do you know of any online Volvo parts fiches or similar so I can figure out the correct part numbers?

[XC90Mk1]

Originally Posted by al dm

Great stuff - many thanks for the detail. I do have the correct Torx bits, torque wrenches etc, so no problems there. But a couple of questions if I may:

How do I determine which gearbox my car has? Maybe a stupid question, but the manual lists two possible options - an MPS6 or a TF-80SC, and as you say they both want different fluids. The MPS6 wants BOT341 fluid, while the TF-80-SC want JWS3309 (same as Toyota Type 4 believe??) or AW1.

Second, when you drain your fluid, do you just put the car up on ramps or axle stands and do it that way? I don't really have access to a lift without paying a mechanic to do the fluid replace....

Good point on the o-rings and seals. I normally always replace drain plug o-rings on my motorcycles when I change oil, so will do the same here. Do you know of any online Volvo parts fiches or similar so I can figure out the correct part numbers?

The 6 speed auto (is yours Auto) is a geartronic TF80-SC which will require a JWS type spec. You will need to check with Volvo
As I understand that 3309 is for the first Gen box, and the AW1 is the Aisin Warner World Standard, and I am sure AW1 is to JWS3324 and not 3309. Volvo dealers such as FRF Swansea and Eastbourne will be able to tell. Sorry it’s a bit of a pain it would seem with generally 2010 being 3309, 2012 being 3324 and 2011 being either.

I have always done it in the drive.

Other than confirming the fluid type it is reletivy straight forward.

[al dm]

Originally Posted by XC90Mk1

The 6 speed auto (is yours Auto) is a geartronic TF80-SC which will require a JWS type spec. You will need to check with Volvo
As I understand that 3309 is for the first Gen box, and the AW1 is the Aisin Warner World Standard, and I am sure AW1 is to JWS3324 and not 3309. Volvo dealers such as FRF Swansea and Eastbourne will be able to tell. Sorry it’s a bit of a pain it would seem with generally 2010 being 3309, 2012 being 3324 and 2011 being either.

I have always done it in the drive.

Other than confirming the fluid type it is reletivy straight forward.

Thanks again. Yes it's the 6 speed auto. So presumably the TF80-SC then. Now to confirm the fluid type....

[Clan]

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???

They obviously don't want to do it, and are lying to you regarding "sealed for Life " find a dealer, they will do it for you.
Labour for an oil change on a TF 80 SC Auto gearbox oil change is 40 minutes..

[al dm]

Originally Posted by Clan

They obviously don't want to do it, and are lying to you regarding "sealed for Life " find a dealer, they will do it for you.
Labour for an oil change on a TF 80 SC Auto gearbox oil change is 40 minutes..

That's interesting. Is the 40 minutes for just a "dump the sump" type or a full "pump it all out and refresh"?

Thanks.

[XC90Mk1]

Originally Posted by Clan

They obviously don't want to do it, and are lying to you regarding "sealed for Life " find a dealer, they will do it for you.
Labour for an oil change on a TF 80 SC Auto gearbox oil change is 40 minutes..

I am afraid Clan as you are aware the statement made is one echoed up and down Volvo dealers (probably all based on experience).

Certainly for my year it does say not required unless used as taxi of towing within Vida.

I think the OP may have some issues getting Volvo to do it. I willing to be proven wrong however…

[al dm]

Originally Posted by XC90Mk1

I am afraid Clan as you are aware the statement made is one echoed up and down Volvo dealers (probably all based on experience).

Certainly for my year it does say not required unless used as taxi of towing within Vida.

I think the OP may have some issues getting Volvo to do it. I willing to be proven wrong however…

To be honest, I would rather do it myself than pay Volvo to do it. I just need to figure out the best way to do it out of dump/replace/x3 or do the powered flush method. I am leaning towards the powered flush, but also there is more opportunity there for damage....i.e. tranny running dry while it pumps all of its oil out....

[Simmy]

how can they say its sealed for life when it has drain and fill plugs .

[Jimsmith44]

Originally Posted by Simmy

how can they say its sealed for life when it has drain and fill plugs .

That must be for all the taxi's and tow folk.