Volvo 144 - BW35 Transmission Noise?

[BrendanHurley]

Had my '72 144DL out for a drive yesterday and I heard what sounds like a metallic clattering/scratching noise when accelerating from stationary or low speed just for a few seconds and then fades away. Its not very loud, but me being a car hypochondriac am concerned about it. Its definitely a rotating type sound from underneath, either from the transmission or from the driveshaft.

The car is changing up from 1 to 2 to 3 smooth but noticeable... do get the odd hollow 'clunk' noise sometimes when slowing down to turn left or right at a junction without stopping.


The trans fluid level is okay and clean, I keep an eye on that as it has a tendency to leak out some on the garage floor if the car left sitting for a few weeks and I keep it topped up with Comma AQF. I have no idea if the trans had been overhauled in its 147k mile history but there was 1/2 bottle of Valvoline DEX/MERC in the boot when I got her and the previous owner topped it up with, who was non the wiser.

Has anyone any experience of going down the easiest cheapest option and using automatic transmission fluid additive such as Wynn's Stop Leak/Conditioner or Lucas Transmission Fix which claim to stop leaks and do all sorts of magic?