Xc 70 2003 auto transmission fluid change/flush
 

XC 70 2003 - 106k miles
My wife and I did the 'Gibbons Method' transmission flush and change today and it was dead easy. Here are a few essentials:
Plenty of rags as the red transmission fluid seems to get everywhere.
A new oil cooler pipe green clip and two new 'O' rings. You may not need the clip, but I can guarantee that without one.....you WILL need it.

After draining the oil from the transmission, we used the dipstick for the refill and improvised using a turkey baster connected to a funnel. A picture is attached. This proved brilliant but you will need to pour slowly.

The flush was done using the oil cooler outlet connection and a camping water stand pipe hose. This was fantastic and you could see the dirty fluid exiting and it was plenty long enough. We flushed out 2 x 2 litres and 1 x 1.5 litres and replaced with the same amount.

Total job cost less than £100 and independent garage quoted close to £450 odd. I dread to think what stealer costs would be. Afterwards, smooth gear changes and the self satisfaction of knowing I've done good preventative maintenance at low cost.

If you are thinking of doing this, then follow the advice in the posts or you tube and have a go. You will find it easy and worthwhile.

good work - wish I was brave enough to do this myself.
that £450 sounds expensive.
my local Volvo main dealer quoted me £300 (but advised against doing it!)
I have tried to get quotes to do this from several other local independents and they have all refused to do it! Even a supposedly renowned gearbox specialist on Mersea island :(
have you noticed any difference? did you have any issues or is it just precautionary?

Did your oil come out clean after just five and a half litres?
Mine took sixteen litres before it came out clean.
:cool:

For what it's worth, I bought a case of 12L and used the Gibbons method as well on my 2004 S60. I should have bought 15L as I wasn't totally pleased with the colour after flushing. I think another 3L would have done it.

You can do it yourself. There is a good you tube video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leBtEnEDAtc
The secret is really in the preparation; having an assistant to start the car, select through the gears and stop the engine when 2 litres have been flushed through and just a bit of confidence.
The turkey baster and water pipe worked so well.

I had no issues with the gearbox and yes! it was precautionary as I have no idea if the oil had been changed previously and we are towing a caravan shortly.

Given no previous knowledge of a change, although the final flush was not exactly the same colour as the new fluid that went in, it was close and I was OK with that for the first attempt. At the end of the day the gearbox changes felt really smooth compared to pre-flush.

Some clean oil is definitely better then none at all!
Gibbons method is really easy isn't it?

Its a personal opinion and please treat it such:

I tried, it worked, I can't see why would anyone pay for it.
If you go "multiple dump" route, advised for older gearboxes where oil wasn't changed previously/frequently, its actually easier than changing engine oil!

Where's bravery in that?

Did this few week ago, takes only half an hour.
But before i put half a can of SeaFoam TransTune in the gear box to get all of the dirt, from the Solenoids for example, back into the oil.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SEA-FOAM-...-/351447408616

I left it in ther tranny for half a year, then flushed the tranny with the cheapest JWS3309 i could get on eBay (20l for about 50€)
Now it works perfect. like new

I always chime in on "Yes, you can do this easily" threads. I had the same apprehension. There's nothing involved which is beyond even the most basic of mechanical skill sets.

I also add that emptying the sump and refilling it first is a good thing to do as the pump-out process is thus begun with clean fluid.

Another thing to remember is that the "wee wings" of the green plastic line clip don't move in that much when you press 'em.
Thumb and forefinger to push 'em in. Roll your fist around the end of the line and tighten your grip in a forceful manner. The cooling line will pop out.

The trouble is that so many words are needed to describe simple steps.

Imagine writing down the steps to tie your shoes.

For those in UK. Lidl sell a 12v pump which makes filling the box a doddle.
It's less than £15 too.
I've used it for a few years now. I don't do the Gibbons method, but remove a few litres at each service and fill up.
Pump the old out of dipstick, then reverse pump and pump the new in.