Gearbox Woes (Sigh)

rsymes2k · Mar 9th, 2018, 09:16

Hey everyone, looking for a bit of advice with regards to gearbox...

2004(54) XC90 D5 159k miles with the 5 speed box Aisin Warner...

It's got a very lump down shift from 3-2 and sometimes 2-1, also sometimes hesitates shifting 2-3.

Transmission service light is on too... I've just been driving it as we have no choice really.

Local gearbox specialist said the "gearbox is toast, oil is burnt" £2.5k to replace.

I've had the oil replaced previously @129k miles, did the software upgrades too.. The gearbox specialist said doing the valve body was pointless and won't solve the issue..

So needless to say i'm a bit confused as to what to do, the car isn't even worth the cost of repair?

Is it feasible to buy an ebay gearbox and fit it? Should I try something else? Any ideas?

Thanks in advance
Rob

gmonag · Mar 9th, 2018, 09:41

I would definately try a full flush oil change. Was the last change a full flush or just a drain and fill? If so that will only change about 25% of the oil.

It is not difficult to DIY. The method is commonly known as the "gibbons" method after a user who posted it a few years ago. It is however, the same method advocated by Volvo with a tweek or two.

Volvo gearbox flushing - gibbons method.pdf

colinbos · Mar 9th, 2018, 11:12

What you have to remember is, the gearbox specialist is all about turnover and profit to pay wages and overheads. Don't get me wrong, what would we do without them ? But a good old fashioned lets not spend any money and try and fix this method is what is best, in my opinion.

gmonag is right, A good flush and fill with in spec fluids has proven to do wonders on these gearboxes. It may not completely cure yours (it may need the valve body doing too) but its a cheaper good start. And remember, a gearbox adaptation will be needed after, won't it ?

galloot633 · Mar 9th, 2018, 12:31

Mine was doing bad up shifts , third to fourth ( not as bad as yours though ) I did a gearbox flush , which in my case made no improvement , so in desperation I added a litre of Lucas auto transmission additive , this did make a difference , the shift is still not as smooth as the other gears , but no more false neutral or " gearbox service messages " . I've since driven about 8k miles with no bad effects , may not cure yours but for 12 quid worth a try
Dave

Danielpsmith · Mar 9th, 2018, 13:39

My gearbox was your playing up and after changing the oil it was still no good, so after speaking to lots of gearbox specialists only one said try the valve body and if it didn’t work I only had to pay the difference to totally refurb the box, so had the valve body done and it was like a new car, they said to me it depends on how long it’s been driven while playing up on if it needs totally refurbing.

gmonag · Mar 9th, 2018, 13:42

Quote:

I added a litre of Lucas auto transmission additive

Whoa! I would not use ANYTHING other than quality JWS 3309 in my gearbox. This is not just a lubricant but the working fluid in the box. Don't use additives or any other grade.

galloot633 · Mar 9th, 2018, 17:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmonag

Whoa! I would not use ANYTHING other than quality JWS 3309 in my gearbox. This is not just a lubricant but the working fluid in the box. Don't use additives or any other grade.

Yes, I'd heard all manner of scaremongery off plenty of sources with no experience but plenty of suspicion , autobox forums are full , sure manufacturers say no to additives , but only because they can't test all of them , all I'm saying , if you've got nothing to loose , why not give something a try ? Mine improved in the first 100 miles and has since run for approx 6-8 k miles with absolutely no side effects , just my experience, I would consider a valve body swap though
Dave

gmonag · Mar 9th, 2018, 23:21

Well I have flushed my own gearbox at 110k and 160k and both times the gearbox improved noticably.

rsymes2k · Mar 20th, 2018, 07:02

Hmm not sure what to do now then!! Thing is if I try the drain and flush is it just another £250 wasted? Maybe I should just get rid of the thing!!

The Lucas stuff might be worth a try but yeah, so many horror stories!!

rsymes2k · Mar 20th, 2018, 07:05

When I drained it last time I jacked one side up in order to get more atf out but didn’t “flush” if you like?

Mar 9th, 2018, 09:16	#1
rsymes2k Member Last Online: Jan 11th, 2024 16:32 Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Devon	Gearbox Woes (Sigh) Hey everyone, looking for a bit of advice with regards to gearbox... 2004(54) XC90 D5 159k miles with the 5 speed box Aisin Warner... It's got a very lump down shift from 3-2 and sometimes 2-1, also sometimes hesitates shifting 2-3. Transmission service light is on too... I've just been driving it as we have no choice really. Local gearbox specialist said the "gearbox is toast, oil is burnt" £2.5k to replace. I've had the oil replaced previously @129k miles, did the software upgrades too.. The gearbox specialist said doing the valve body was pointless and won't solve the issue.. So needless to say i'm a bit confused as to what to do, the car isn't even worth the cost of repair? Is it feasible to buy an ebay gearbox and fit it? Should I try something else? Any ideas? Thanks in advance Rob

Mar 9th, 2018, 09:41	#2
gmonag Premier Member Last Online: Jan 15th, 2024 17:24 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Bury St Edmunds	I would definately try a full flush oil change. Was the last change a full flush or just a drain and fill? If so that will only change about 25% of the oil. It is not difficult to DIY. The method is commonly known as the "gibbons" method after a user who posted it a few years ago. It is however, the same method advocated by Volvo with a tweek or two. Volvo gearbox flushing - gibbons method.pdf __________________ Greg

Mar 9th, 2018, 23:21	#8
gmonag Premier Member Last Online: Jan 15th, 2024 17:24 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Bury St Edmunds	Well I have flushed my own gearbox at 110k and 160k and both times the gearbox improved noticably. __________________ Greg

Mar 9th, 2018, 11:12	#3
colinbos 2008 XC90 D5 SE Last Online: Mar 28th, 2022 20:27 Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Formby	What you have to remember is, the gearbox specialist is all about turnover and profit to pay wages and overheads. Don't get me wrong, what would we do without them ? But a good old fashioned lets not spend any money and try and fix this method is what is best, in my opinion. gmonag is right, A good flush and fill with in spec fluids has proven to do wonders on these gearboxes. It may not completely cure yours (it may need the valve body doing too) but its a cheaper good start. And remember, a gearbox adaptation will be needed after, won't it ?

Mar 9th, 2018, 12:31	#4
galloot633 xc90, volvo number five Last Online: Yesterday 16:25 Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Grappenhall	Mine was doing bad up shifts , third to fourth ( not as bad as yours though ) I did a gearbox flush , which in my case made no improvement , so in desperation I added a litre of Lucas auto transmission additive , this did make a difference , the shift is still not as smooth as the other gears , but no more false neutral or " gearbox service messages " . I've since driven about 8k miles with no bad effects , may not cure yours but for 12 quid worth a try Dave

Mar 9th, 2018, 13:39	#5
Danielpsmith Master Member Last Online: Today 11:11 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Birmingham	My gearbox was your playing up and after changing the oil it was still no good, so after speaking to lots of gearbox specialists only one said try the valve body and if it didn’t work I only had to pay the difference to totally refurb the box, so had the valve body done and it was like a new car, they said to me it depends on how long it’s been driven while playing up on if it needs totally refurbing.

Mar 20th, 2018, 07:02	#9
rsymes2k Member Last Online: Jan 11th, 2024 16:32 Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Devon	Hmm not sure what to do now then!! Thing is if I try the drain and flush is it just another £250 wasted? Maybe I should just get rid of the thing!! The Lucas stuff might be worth a try but yeah, so many horror stories!!

Mar 20th, 2018, 07:05	#10
rsymes2k Member Last Online: Jan 11th, 2024 16:32 Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Devon	When I drained it last time I jacked one side up in order to get more atf out but didn’t “flush” if you like?

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