AW 55-50 Transmission Glad to help!

[Jim314]

Originally Posted by prionailurus

ah, so its the same as the Saab 9000s I had, ok. As I remember, the ATF lasted better with an extra cooler in place, so I might source one, removing the side-cooler before it (possibly) splits inside...I hope the rad is good for more than 170k miles
cheers for the info, lets keep these boxes tip-top!

You cannot remove the OE in-radiator ATF cooler; you would have to replace the entire radiator. Replacement of the entire radiator would give a new transmission oil cooler. I don't think bypassing the in-radiator ATF cooler and using only the auxiliary cooler would be advisable. One does not hear of people doing this.

I think the appropiate safeguard against failure of the in-radiator ATF cooler would be replacement of the engine coolant on a 5-year schedule. The anticorrosives in the Volvo antifreeze have an about 5 to 6 year lifetime. And when the car has many miles and much time on it, do not shy away from replacing the radiator. The average lifetime of a radiator is probably such that one would expect to replace it once in the life of a well maintained V70 which one is keeping for the full life of the vehicle.

If the ATF cooler coil in the radiator would perforate, then this would allow engine coolant to get into the tranny oil. I gather that this is very bad for the tranny.

[Nick44]

Originally Posted by Jim314

This would allow the engine coolant to get into the tranny oil, I gather that this is very bad for the tranny.

Hi Jim,
That has to be the understatement of the decade!

[ciecho]

Hi! My S60 is giving me problems when it reaches normal running temperatures. When cold it changes gears super smooth but when hot shift from 3rd to 4th is jerky. The same happens from 5th to 6th but is unnoticable in comparison to 3-4. The problem occurs only on lower revs. The more aggressive driving the smoother changes. I had this problem for quite a while now (about 20000 miles) I had the fluid changed (not flushed). Helped just a little not for long though.
I had the car looked at by Volvo garrage (software upgrade) and 2 independent gearbox specialists with no joy. They charge me money for plugging the computer and reading fault codes that are not there. They usually end up telling me that:
Volvo - swap the gearbox (£3500 + the labour) MRG Volvo Chippenham
Independent - recon box £1600 - £2500

What do you think? I will be really grateful for any response that can bring me closer to solving the problem that bothers me so much. My mechanical skills are next to nothing so please make your responses as plain as you can. Thank you

[Chris_Rogers]

I think your gearbox is a TF-80SC not an AW55, see post 60 for a link to a wiki about it.

Can't be any further help I'm afraid there does not seem to be much 'knowledge' about this box yet.

[Jim314]

Originally Posted by ciecho

Hi! My S60 is giving me problems when it reaches normal running temperatures. . . . I had the fluid changed (not flushed). Helped just a little not for long though.
I had the car looked at by Volvo garrage (software upgrade) and 2 independent gearbox specialists with no joy. They charge me money for plugging the computer and reading fault codes that are not there. They usually end up telling me that:
Volvo - swap the gearbox (£3500 + the labour) MRG Volvo Chippenham
Independent - recon box £1600 - £2500

What do you think? I will be really grateful for any response that can bring me closer to solving the problem that bothers me so much. My mechanical skills are next to nothing so please make your responses as plain as you can. Thank you

Way to early to consider a new transmission.

Where did you get the fluid changed and what replacement ATF was used? I think these Aisin AW transmissions have very strict requirements for ATF. The good indy shop that I take my 2004 V70 to wanted to do an ATF change with some generic ATF which they think is OK, but I decided to take it to the Volvo dealer.

The only non-Volvo ATF I would consider for Aisin AW 5-spd trannies is Mobil ATF 3309 (or the equivalent Toyota one which may be produced by Mobil), or Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF. I suspect that the latter may be what is used in the TF-80SC Aisin AW 6-spd in the newer Volvos under the name AW-1.

If the type of transmission fluid is questionable, I would take it to the dealer for a full fluid replacement with the AW-1.

[Chris_Rogers]

Some info here re AW-1

http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=156163

[Jim314]

So BG Universal Synthetic ATF is described as meeting or exceeding the requirements of AW-1. But what is the source of authentic AW-1?

One supposes that each auto manufacturer might have a different source for the factory fill of fluid for the 6-spd Aisin tranny. Aisin might make recommendations or consult, but each manufacturer might have its own cost/benefit analysis and make its own choice. I don't have any idea; just speculating.

Each major auto mfgr might deal with the lubrication suppliers and decide whether the supplier has an existing product which it could use or they might request a special formulation. Once again, I'm just speculating.

Anybody know what the practices actually are?

I wish the auto manufacturers wouldn't keep this so secret, but I guess that is the nature of the business.

[v_matt_v]

Originally Posted by instrumento

I am amazed to see that all over the world through the different volvo forums ive come across this transmission has been the bane of so many! well I have had my love affair with this transmission for quite some time now, in fact it has been an obsession. all I can say is....... there is always a solution. fire away il be glad to help out as best i can and save you a lot of trouble.

Hello Instrumento,

In my family there is one s60 d5 2004 LHD auto geartronic. Recently when on D mode while standing the engine seems to be more rough. It's noisier and vibrates more. I haven't driven the car but I was told that it feels like the gearbox is trying harder to move the car while the brake pedal is pressed. I'm not sure if you know what I mean. When you change the stick to P everything is back to normal - no noise. Recently the gearbox oil was replaced (about 2 months ago). The problems started about 2-3 weeks ago.

Thanks for advice,
Matt

[hmsggg]

It started as a lazy pull of then suddenly car would burst into life hurtling me down the road then one day went on 120 mile journey and 100 miles into the journey I lost all power to the wheels, it was as if it was in neutral tried all gears including reverse but still no joy I checked the ATF level when the car was cold and not running and there was no oil on the dipstick. Should the car be running to check ATF or not? if it's the case I need to top up the oil what oil can I use to do this I understand that it should be JWS 3309 spec is there any one that can tell me were to buy this oil in the UK obviously avoiding Volvo prices.

[Chris_Rogers]

Use:

Vauxhall / Saab part number for 1ltr correct ATF - V00 93160393

This is JWS 3309 fluid, it does not say so on the bottle but don't worry.

Fluid should be checked with engine running & gear lever in Park.

Preferably after 20mins of driving using the hot mark on the stick.