740 gearbox noise!

Hi all,

I have recently had the clutch changed in my Volvo and got them to check the gearbox oil, which was low so they topped it up for me.
As I wasn't sure what oil they put it the gearbox I have drained it out and put in Castrol TQF fluid and recomended.

Up until this the gearbox made no noise, apart from a slight clatter of gears wizzing round when in neutral, it now (with my oil in it) makes a whistling or high pitched noise from 40mph to about 60, increasing in pitch as you speed up, it doesnt matter what gear your in, the persisting noise is still there!

The new oil has however made gearchanging a bit better and the gearbox a bit quieter when in netrual (without the car moving and engine running)

Have I put the right oil in? Some people have told me I should use Volvo synthetic or Semi-Synthetic, although the owners manuals say you can also use ATF fluid which I was under the impression that TQF was very similar.

Any help and guidance gratefully recieved!

Thanks!

David

1988 740 GL B200E M47 209000K

[vjck_uk]

Hi Dave,
You DON'T put atf in a manual gearbox.
Atf stands for automatic transmission fluid and should only be used in auto boxes and some power steering units.
Get it out a.s.a.p. and put whatever is reccomended for your box,
The lowest viscosity would be sae 30 up to sae 90.
You will ruin your box in no time with it on atf as it's far to thin for a manual box.
Vaughan

someone besides is saying about ATF not suitable for manual gearboxes. he is 100% wrong. VOLVO manual gearboxes on 200, 300, 700 and earlier 900 work with ATF fluid only! i do not know about Castrol, but i use ordinary mineral base ATF and no sound!

[Peter Milnes]

You should always check in the handbook for your car model which oil are used and where they are used. You should use Dexron or similar ATF in the manual gearbox as specified in the handbook.

All the best, Peter

From the info in my 1991 Volvo Service Data Booklet

All 700 models with M47 transmissions use 10W/40 (SG/CD Min) or Volvo Thermo oil (Part No 1161243-3)CCMC class G4/G5.

In my 1991-1993 Pocket data booklet for 700 series cars with M46 and M47 transmissions use ATF type F or G. NOT Dexron as this may cause premature failure.

Dexron type ATF fluid is not suitable for overdrive unit. mine service instructions point to ATF fluid. maybe sth to do the different climate zones. i live in northern europe. if it is suitable here, it cannot cause any mayor damage in UK, i think?

[Peter Milnes]

The only reason for using normal oil in a Volvo manual gearbox is when car has heavy stop/start usage i.e. taxi work or short-haul, high-cycle use.

All the best, Peter