Gearbox update / Northern Ireland

[Marquez93]

Hi all, I have a 2013 R Design with 67k, full volvo service history and in excellent condition. Periodically I get a nasty clunk/jolt when engaging D from P or R or N. It comes and goes but seems to be more there than not. I've read about a gearbox update here. On ringing Anews (Volvo dealer in Northern Ireland) they said there is no update and to book in for diagnostic. I'm in Northern Ireland and quite limited to garages who specialise in Volvo.

Does anyone have any further info on the software update so that I can pursue via Agnews or even better if anyone has a Volvo independent that would be even better!

I'm aware of Beechill garage but the get sketchy reviews 🤷*♂️

Any help would be greatly appreciated

[S60D5-185]

Personally I would change the gearbox fluid now as a matter of course.
Your handbook will confirm which fluid is required although I would suspect that it is AW1 .
That is readily available from the likes of Smith and Allen oil suppliers at a cost way below from Volvo.

It's easy enough to do and is essential in keeping the gearbox healthy.

It may just clear up the issues that you have but if not may well prevent other issues further down the line.

My understanding of updates is that they SHOULD be done automatically whenever your vehicle is serviced at a main dealer. Whether they are is another matter.
Lastly, if you ask Volvo to change the gearbox fluid you may well be told that it is sealed for life and not required.

Neither statement is true ,

[Marquez93]

Yes I’ll do a fluid change first when I find a reputable garage with the correct equipment. I believe it is a bit of a process to do it properly and I’d want it done right. Bizarrely bmw say the same about the zf gearbox even though zf say the fluid should be changed about 70k.

Thanks for your reply, I’m hoping someone from NI can give me a steer towards a good mechanic from the North 👍

[ltec]

Noel Robinson near portadown is a volvo specialist. Highly recommended and shouldn't be far from you.

[robertsmart]

I recommend Noel Robinson as well.

[Marquez93]

That's brilliant, thanks very much for your help 👍👍

[alaninbelfast]

Hiya, A1 in Dunmurry are very good, behind police station opposite tesco, bottom of lane. They look after my 2008 D5 sport, not specialist but very knowledgable.

[RDesign4Life]

Originally Posted by Marquez93

Hi all, I have a 2013 R Design with 67k, full volvo service history and in excellent condition. Periodically I get a nasty clunk/jolt when engaging D from P or R or N. It comes and goes but seems to be more there than not. I've read about a gearbox update here. On ringing Anews (Volvo dealer in Northern Ireland) they said there is no update and to book in for diagnostic. I'm in Northern Ireland and quite limited to garages who specialise in Volvo.

Does anyone have any further info on the software update so that I can pursue via Agnews or even better if anyone has a Volvo independent that would be even better!

I'm aware of Beechill garage but the get sketchy reviews 🤷*♂️

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Known issue on XC60 and other Volvo Aisin Warner transmissions caused by main shaft oil seals allowing fluid past. First step is to try a TCM software update and run the adaptations routine which allows the car to increase pressure to compensate. If the leak is small this can be a permanent fix on its own. If that doesn't work you could try a fluid change. If it persists then the seals need to be replaced which means taking the gearbox out so quite labour intensive. Some people just live with it if all other changes are smooth.

Volvo allegedly developed a factory fix for cars from 2013 onwards although my MY2016 XC60 had this issue 6 months ago. A software update at the dealer seems to have sorted mine so far.

If you do a search there are numerous threads on this subject.

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showt...t=gearbox+jolt

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showt...ox+jolt&page=3

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Marquez93

Hi all, I have a 2013 R Design with 67k, full volvo service history and in excellent condition. Periodically I get a nasty clunk/jolt when engaging D from P or R or N. It comes and goes but seems to be more there than not. I've read about a gearbox update here. On ringing Anews (Volvo dealer in Northern Ireland) they said there is no update and to book in for diagnostic. I'm in Northern Ireland and quite limited to garages who specialise in Volvo.

Does anyone have any further info on the software update so that I can pursue via Agnews or even better if anyone has a Volvo independent that would be even better!

I'm aware of Beechill garage but the get sketchy reviews 🤷*♂️

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Firstly a dealer will always know a great deal more than a "specialist".

Volvo brought out a fix for this in around 2015. The root cause is the piston ring type high pressure seals on the main shaft at the front end of the gearbox. The software will be updated on every service you have with Volvo. One of which was to raise the oil pressure in the gearbox to compensate for the internal leakage followed by a self adaption road test. In some cases this will not get rid of the problem so the gearbox will have to come out, the torque converter will come out and the main oil pump behind it.. Then there is set of seal rings can be replaced with a modified type.

Im surprised the dealer you went to didnt seem to know much about it ! Maybe life is a lot quieter over there and journeys not so long. you would have had to pay for them to look up their service bulletins and contact volvo before they even started diagnosing it no doubt !

You may get away with just the software if the leak is minor. so this has to be done first if the car has been neglected and not had the software. This software also contains the special oil pressure adaption process.

[Marquez93]

Originally Posted by alaninbelfast

Hiya, A1 in Dunmurry are very good, behind police station opposite tesco, bottom of lane. They look after my 2008 D5 sport, not specialist but very knowledgable.

I know James and Robert. Used them quite a bit myself and always found their work top notch. I moved away from Belfast a few years ago... I was hoping to find someone with access to volvo updates and that kind of thing. I use Audi specialist repairs in Lurgan who has access to all the Audi TPI's etc. Thanks for the recommendation 👍