transmission flush

I have a 10 year old v70xc volvo and i have asked several people if i should get a transmission flush. This is something my husband said to do and volvo because the car is old, however many,many other shops have told me NO WAY. I am very confused as to what to do. Any advice would be so helpful and i don't want to be that women in the dealership getting ripped off and looking stupid.

I have 2 questions:

1) i don't mind but I note with interest that this is a site for Buick Riviera enthusiasts. With so many good Volvo boards out there, why post this question here? The Volvo that shares the 4T65E transmission that you find in the Riviera, for instance, is the S80. And even then only some years/models (around 1999 - 2004). I am pretty sure your transmission is a Geartronic made by Aisin AW (used to be Aisin Warner, a JV with Borg-Warner that was restructured some years ago to be wholly owned by Aisin alone).. Voolvo's been using Aisin transmissions since Methuselah was a pup...

You maybe should look at this:

http://www.v70xc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10058

Do you think you maybe should do a Google search on "Volvo V70XC transmission problems" and then do you think that reading some of the posts might be instructive?

2) what do you mean by Volvo said to do it? Please explain.

albertj wrote:

I have 2 questions:

1) i don't mind but I note with interest that this is a site for Buick Riviera enthusiasts. With so many good Volvo boards out there, why post this question here? The Volvo that shares the 4T65E transmission that you find in the Riviera, for instance, is the S80. And even then only some years/models (around 1999 - 2004). I am pretty sure your transmission is a Geartronic made by Aisin AW (used to be Aisin Warner, a JV with Borg-Warner that was restructured some years ago to be wholly owned by Aisin alone).. Voolvo's been using Aisin transmissions since Methuselah was a pup...

You maybe should look at this:

http://www.v70xc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10058

Do you think you maybe should do a Google search on "Volvo V70XC transmission problems" and then do you think that reading some of the posts might be instructive?

2) what do you mean by Volvo said to do it? Please explain.

Well excuse me for being "such a dumb women". Seeing how this site did not specifically say BUICK. It came up on goggle .

My cousin is a certified transmission specialist(a coward and a braggart,but that's besides the point) recommends flushes only on trannys bought from new. in other words,DO NOT FLUSH A HIGH MILEAGE TRANSMISSION ,EVER

drain tranny,Pull tranny pan,.change filter,refill with recommended fluid,Done.

vic p wrote:

albertj wrote:

I have 2 questions:

1) i don't mind but I note with interest that this is a site for Buick Riviera enthusiasts. With so many good Volvo boards out there, why post this question here? The Volvo that shares the 4T65E transmission that you find in the Riviera, for instance, is the S80. And even then only some years/models (around 1999 - 2004). I am pretty sure your transmission is a Geartronic made by Aisin AW (used to be Aisin Warner, a JV with Borg-Warner that was restructured some years ago to be wholly owned by Aisin alone).. Volvo's been using Aisin transmissions since Methuselah was a pup...

You maybe should look at this:

http://www.v70xc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10058

Do you think you maybe should do a Google search on "Volvo V70XC transmission problems" and then do you think that reading some of the posts might be instructive?

2) what do you mean by Volvo said to do it? Please explain.

Well excuse me for being "such a dumb women". Seeing how this site did not specifically say BUICK. It came up on goggle .

Considering the source, I'll take that as a compliment.

vic i dont think albert ment to attack you but just to ask why you choose this site. but there is many people on this site that could help you, so please dont get mad at the site..maybe some of the machanics on this site can help with your question.

95rivy wrote:

vic i dont think albert ment to attack you but just to ask why you choose this site. but there is many people on this site that could help you, so please dont get mad at the site..maybe some of the machanics on this site can help with your question.

This is likely.

For the rest of you reading this and those who come later, some context:

There's *a lot* of info out there about the infamous Geartronic transmission in the V70XC; it's failures are legend and after reading several it becomes apparent that many die around 100,000 miles. The posts also go into preventive and corrective measures. There is info on getting a Volvo dealer to re-flash the transmission computer; there is info on the requirement for dealer maintenance on the transmission (no obvious way to check fluid level) and what to so about it; there are experience reports from a number of people concerning their issues with those transmissions and their strategies for dealing with those issues.

When I found that there was *so much* out there that came right up with a search on "Volvo V70XC transmission problems" I thought it'd be helpful to point to an example, and out of curiosity I asked why she picked this site *because* so much info about the v70XC came up in my quick search. There is a Volvo - the s80 - that also uses the 4T65E transmission; I thought that *might* be the reason but thought I'd learn something by asking. An answer might have been "my car has the same transmission as the Riviera" or some such -- as there *is* a version of the 4T65E that is set up for AWD, it uses an added-on system designed by Puch and GM. Kind of interesting - what GM did was added a PTO (power take-off) point to the 4T65E, connecting it thru a driveshaft to a "georotor pump" that hydraulically powers each rear wheel when needed - it's explained at this link.

So we will see who else "chimes in," and maybe Vic P will get around to looking at the other sites, they were interesting enough.

Albertj

I have a 95 and I have had jerky shifting from 1st to 2nd for a while now and it just started to slip. I changed my trans fluid today. I basically get a gallon out by dropping the pan so I put a gallon back in of new trans fluid. Bottom line. It still shifts funny from 1st to 2nd and the fluid is just as black as before. I know the new fluid will mix with the fluid that didn't come out when I dropped the pan.....so.....

I had a flush done once a few years ago and was impressed with the results. However, everyone here says NO FLUSH. Why? How can a possibly drain all the fluid out and replace with all new fluid with out a flush????

as far as I recall,the tranny fluid level has to be checked with the engine running. did you change the filter? why is everyone obsessed with flushing?
after a complete drain,New filter ,fresh fluid, new gasket,good to go. if you must put something in a tranny(no pun intended) pour some lucas tranny additive,not too much otherwise the tranny gets sticky and shifts slow. there is also a great product out there called Lube Guard.great stuff.hard to find though.I think Napa carries it. swap out your modulator too.they can go bad.

Quote :

I had a flush done once a few years ago and was impressed with the results. However, everyone here says NO FLUSH. Why? How can a possibly drain all the fluid out and replace with all new fluid with out a flush????

The short answer is, you should normally change about half the fluid when dropping the pan. If it still looks dark in color, it suggests you may not have changed out enought - 1 gallon isn't enough. You made the right call in changing the fluid, but the info in your post is concerning. If you really only drained a gallon out, your fluid was probably low to begin with. It should drain closer to 2 gallons (6-7 quarts) in a trans fluid change. As robo suggested, check the trans fluid level. You might get lucky and find this whole thing was caused by low fluid level.

But the fact that you're already noting shifting problems, and have verified the fluid is "black" suggests you have much bigger problems than either a change or a flush can remedy. When shifts start acting funny, or you feel it slipping,you can try changing the fluid, but these are usually signs it's too late. The fact that your fluid is still black after the change means it was really black (burnt) before the change. Changing the fluid might buy you some time, but not even a flush is going to fix that.

Flushing is frowned upon because you take a gamble unless you know the entire maintenance history of the car, and even then it can be risky. The fear is that any dirt accumulated in the valve body will go unnoticed until a day when it blocks a critical passageway, giving you the first signs of trouble. If you get the flush, detergents and high pressure designed to clean out the transmission can dislodge the dirt, move it around, and it may end up sticking in new areas in the valve body, causing additional problems. For this reason, a flush works best for transmissions that have been kept clean with regular transmission maintenance over the entire life of the car. A car like yours, which seems like it has seen some neglect, is a bad candidate for a flush, imo.

Based on what you've posted, I think your transmission is on the way out - it's soon to be rebuild time. Changing the fluid was smart because the burned color tells you this is the result of intense heat inside the torque converter. Did you notice any metal on the pan magnet? If it were my car, and I wanted to keep it, I'd start shopping and saving for a rebuild, driving it gently in the meantime, or not at all if possible. If you are able to drop the cradle and remove the trans yourself, it will save you quite a bit of money.

Another way to get clean fluid is to get a siphon and stick the hose down the dipstick tube. Drain as much as possible and refill with clean fluid, drive it for a day to mix it all up, repeat. At least you aren't constantly dropping the pan that way. It's actually a pretty easy way to drain fluid, I've done it before. Another option is to install a drain plug in the pan. I have done this in my Riv and my current truck, and I pull the plug and drain/refill w new every time I change the oil in my truck, and once a year in my Riv. It always came out pretty clean annually in the Riv.

Proper fluid level is CRITICAL to the operation of these transmissions. Check at idle, in park, warm to hot (not cold).

I agree with Aaron above based on the blackness it's also probably too late for your trans. It's worth a few more drain/fills, but at this point a flush isn't going to fix your problem anyway.

Yeah.Deeks,idea is the best.Siphon all the crap out.then see. coulda been some cheap ass fluid put in there that broke down premature like. a couple oil changes and ya might be ok