V70 g/box woes: reported success in fixing?
 

Hello, first post and all that. Greetings from SW London.

I have a 2003 V70 2.4t geartronic. 111k miles. I have the dreaded clonking gearbox when slowing down/pulling away which, thanks to this forum, I see is a not uncommon problem.

I have been in touch with independent volvo speacialist DMW in south wimbledon who have quoted around £400-450 to flush the g/box oil, new software etc etc but they warned that it has only been successful in some cars.

So....before I spend that kind of cash on an elderly car, may I ask what sort of success and feedback other users have had with this repair? Is it worth it, or do I chop it in for something else? Is it possible to tell before doing this fix if it will be a success - does it depend upon how severe the problem is now?

If you can do this yourself, (plenty of advice /photos on here) it should not cost you more than around £80 to flush the box with the correct JWS 3309 spec fluid.

As for predicting success, I don't know a way to do that.

Your call I guess but an £80 punt is worth a try I'd say.

Are you 100 percent sure it's the gearbox ?

well I think so, but happy to be advised differently - gear box is very jerky when slowing down, or moving away from stop. those with any mechanical sympathy would wince occasionally it's so rough.

have checked g/box oil and it's mucky brown/black which I believe is a tell tale sign.

the best way I am finding to minimise the jerky-ness is to put it in manual mode and be ever so gentle with the changes, taking my foot off the accelerator when doing so which helps.

I have a 2001 V70 with a faulty autobox which hasnt moved far in nearly two years , the only positive thing thats helped was cleaning up the electrical connectors to the gearbox which restored forward drive ( it would only go in reverse originally) but its still got problems which I have been unable to get fixed economically and I am advised by other forum members that its not a good idea to try a diy repair . With no gaurantee I certainly wouldnt pay £400 for the ATF oil change and whats the software cost from a main dealer maybe £100 ? I agree £80 for a diy job probably worth the risk and at least you will know the box has been flushed and not just emptied and filled up , then take it to a main dealer for the software .

Geartronic ATF Change
 

From your description of the ATF as Chris says is a Flush is the place to start. It can be done in about 1/2hr to 45mins yourself with tea breaks the cost is minimal £80 to £100 depending where you buy the ATF. Once done a Dealer or good Independent can upgrade the software (Did our two P2 V70's in Jan, Doves charged £37 per car to reset the fluid counter, upgrade software plus supplied a Health Check report on each car)
You have learned something valuable, stay away from your Dealer £400 +???
Find a good Independent there must be several in South London?