Where's the auto transmission dipstick

[big h]

Hi all,

not my first stupid post of the year, but where the hell is the dipstick for the atm, I know where it's supposed to be according to the Volvo handbook and Haynes, but I'm b*g"erd if i can find that dipstick, did they put it in a different position on ??

regards,

Its in the most awkward place it could be. Do you own a turbo charged car by any chance, because if you do (like me) There is a big black pipe coming from the engine to the front of the car (where the haines manual says it is) Look under this pipe and you should see a yellow dipstick.

Now. Try and get the dipstick out.......You cant because this sill balck pipe is stopping you from doing it and needs to be removed turning a 5 second job in to a 30min + job

[big h]

Yes it has a Turbo, i thought i had looked under most of the hoses, obviously not close enough, I will remove the air box tomorrow and have a proper look.

I only wanted to check the condition of the fluid, as i'm upgrading/remapping the ECU, and wanted to make sure the fluid was good before putting more torque on the system.
I have searched the forum on DIY atm oil change, & it looks fairly complicated, didi you DIY or pay a dealer?

Any idea how much they charge? The fluid must be expensive @ approx 16L for the system.

Thanks Matt

cheers,

[burchi]

Hi Howard

Am afraid I am no use to you on the dipstick question but, noticed you are going for an ECU upgrade.. Have you decided which one yet?

Your car is going to be some buy for the next owner when you sell what with your wheels, grille and uprated power too!!

BTW, make sure all your hoses are in tip-top condition before upgrading. The extra pressure kicking around post upgrade can easily kill a weak hose!! I replaced all mine with Samco silicones before my upgrade.

Regards

hi howard

get a dealer to do it - should only cost approx £37 parts & £51 labour (standard volvo atf) but if u provide your own they will obviously only charge the labour.

next time i do a flush i will provide them with some synthetic atf, according to the receipt they only used 6litres to do the flush.

take a look at this link you can get 6litres of 100% synthetic atf for about £50!!

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/catalo...m=search&atb=Y

as for the dipstick look below the distributer cap its got a yellow handle on it you can get to it without moving any pipes but its best to pull off the airbox air intake pipe from were it connects to the front of the car - near the rad. just pull it off and move it to one side. my local dealer should me that this is the way they do it!!

hope this helps.

[big h]

Hi Ian,

have decide to go RICA, just trying to find time for the trip.

Money from my old wheels soon burnt a hole in my pocket!:)


How's you car now you've got the new steering rack, much tighter?

regards,

[big h]

thanks paul,

handbook doesn't specify whether volvos's oil is synthetic or not for the AW 5, just says

article number 1161540-8. Do not mix with any other oil.

But for the AW 4: it says volvo synth. g/oil 97337 Oils. which meet the Dexron 3.

should i be able to get synth. oil easily @ local car acces. shop.?

cheers,

[burchi]

Good one. I reckon you'll enjoy the RICA upgrade.

After the rack it feels totally different. It actually feels like it's going where I steer it!! Always helps I guess..

Regards

howard,

the aw4 uses normal dexron2e or dexron3f - this is NOT synthetic whatever the book/dealer tells u and this is what a dealer will use!!

dexron2e is very old and has been superceded with dexron3f, my dealer is still using 2e which must be some very old stock!!

if i were u i would go with dexron3g which is the latest spec at the moment and its what is used in aw5's and i think it is synthetic.

the amsoil atf that demon-tweeks sell is cheaper though but if u get it ask if it is atleast dexron2/mercon compliant but it is 100% synthetic.

is yours a 4 or 5 speeder?

[big h]

thanks for the info.

mines a 5 speed auto btw.

cheers