Gearbox service

[XC90Mk1]

Originally Posted by Kev0607

I thought the same.

Lets say the existing fluid in the transmission was very dirty. How many times would you need to repeat the process to get the fluid clean would you say?

This would be based on doing drain & fills over a period of time with 200-500 miles in between each fluid change.

Also, would it be okay to reuse the rubber washers/o-rings that go on the transmission drain plug whilst doing these drain & fills, but replacing them with new ones on the final drain & fill when the fluid is clean? Otherwise, it means replacing the o-rings every single drain & fill... seems a bit of a waste of o-rings when only doing 200 miles or so in between changes.

I changed mine at 75,000 and it was very dirty. I used 12l.

When I did it I removed the engine under shield and left it off whilst doing the dumps. I reused the washers etc through tout the process then fitter new. It was all fine. I intend to do it at 150,000

[ferg55]

I haven't done this job so can't comment with any experience, but from a general engineering point-of-view I'd say if you're going to change O-rings, best do it at the first dump / fill rather than the last. Reason being that they have been under compression for a number of years, when you undo them you may find they have degraded and reusing them may lead to leaks. But if you change them first, the small amount of time between the refills shouldn't harm them, and I would have thought they can be re-used.

[sellxc70]

I replaced my geartronic oil at 54k using the dump and fill method using 12 litres. The oil that came out didn't look that good and was probably overdue.

I had another change at 90k by a specialist who replaced the oil using their machine, they also updated the software.

My recommendation would be to have a specialist carry out the work as this will give better result with less mixing of new/old oil and new software.

Regards, Steve

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by sellxc70

I replaced my geartronic oil at 54k using the dump and fill method using 12 litres. The oil that came out didn't look that good and was probably overdue.

I had another change at 90k by a specialist who replaced the oil using their machine, they also updated the software.

My recommendation would be to have a specialist carry out the work as this will give better result with less mixing of new/old oil and new software.

Regards, Steve

I did have the gearbox oil changed on my car (S80) by a Volvo Specialist last year, but they only do drain & fills (no flushing machines). I was told that it'll be fine for another 45-50,000 miles, but all they did was drain 3L out & put 3L of new fluid back in, reset the level (no mention of software updates on the Invoice). I imagine the fluid won't be very clean doing a single drain & fill, so this is why I want to do it again.

The garage charged just shy of £150 including labour if I recall correctly for a drain & fill of the transmission fluid. I figured I can do the same myself in my own time & save a fair bit... I'll buy the fluid (a 20L drum of JWS3309) & new rubber o-rings for the drain plug. Then I won't be paying the garage for labour & their charge for plugging in diagnostics.

I have a VIDA laptop, but I can't do any software updates. I'm presuming DIY'ers don't bother with that? Its a 2007 car (mine) & my dad's V70 is a 57 plate... I doubt there's many new software updates on older vehicles like these, or is there?

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by Kev0607

I did have the gearbox oil changed on my car (S80) by a Volvo Specialist last year, but they only do drain & fills (no flushing machines). I was told that it'll be fine for another 45-50,000 miles, but all they did was drain 3L out & put 3L of new fluid back in, reset the level (no mention of software updates on the Invoice). I imagine the fluid won't be very clean doing a single drain & fill, so this is why I want to do it again.

The garage charged just shy of £150 including labour if I recall correctly for a drain & fill of the transmission fluid. I figured I can do the same myself in my own time & save a fair bit... I'll buy the fluid (a 20L drum of JWS3309) & new rubber o-rings for the drain plug. Then I won't be paying the garage for labour & their charge for plugging in diagnostics.

I have a VIDA laptop, but I can't do any software updates. I'm presuming DIY'ers don't bother with that? Its a 2007 car (mine) & my dad's V70 is a 57 plate... I doubt there's many new software updates on older vehicles like these, or is there?

You don't need VIDA to do this. The Volvo process is to use VIDA to check the fluid temperature when you check the level, reset the fluid cycle counters and clear the adaptation memory. Providing you replace the same quantity of fluid that you drain, you should be okay, I've done this numerous times, but there is benefit in clearing the adaptation memory if you have VIDA.

Software updates are worth doing IF you and issues to start with - if after changing the fluid and it's been driven a few hundred miles to re-adapt you are happy with how the gearbox is operating - there's likely no need.

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by Tannaton

You don't need VIDA to do this. The Volvo process is to use VIDA to check the fluid temperature when you check the level, reset the fluid cycle counters and clear the adaptation memory. Providing you replace the same quantity of fluid that you drain, you should be okay, I've done this numerous times, but there is benefit in clearing the adaptation memory if you have VIDA.

Software updates are worth doing IF you and issues to start with - if after changing the fluid and it's been driven a few hundred miles to re-adapt you are happy with how the gearbox is operating - there's likely no need.

I don't think resetting the adaptions is 100% necessary.

The transmission adapts itself anyway, over time.

Resetting the adaptions just makes the transmission "learn" how to shift with the new fluid quicker, but it'll do that itself if you don't reset the adaptions anyway (albeit, slower).

[XC90Mk1]

I have Vida but you don’t need it. The level is set (from memory) at 50/60 C.

It took my XC90 20 mins to get to 50C and then sat stable for 25minutes and didn’t rise.

I tried driving without adaptation reset and with abs didn’t notice a difference.

Re reusing the washers. It’s a good point to replace but I certainly had no leaving and fitted new washers on the last drain.

There is no need to take this to anyone or to have a specialist do it. Once done once you will be able to do it in 30 minute intervals, possibly 15. I understand Toyota fluid is to same spec and much cheaper.

[ferg55]

Originally Posted by Kev0607

I did have the gearbox oil changed on my car (S80) by a Volvo Specialist last year, but they only do drain & fills (no flushing machines).

I would avoid using a garage that flushes the box with a machine (i.e under pressure) this has been known to cause harm to the valves etc.

You don't need to pressure-flush it anyway - the proper method (Volvo approved) is to disconnect the pipe from the intercooler and let the box pump the oil out of the torque converter and internals by itself (aka Gibbons method).

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by Kev0607

I don't think resetting the adaptions is 100% necessary.

The transmission adapts itself anyway, over time.

Resetting the adaptions just makes the transmission "learn" how to shift with the new fluid quicker, but it'll do that itself if you don't reset the adaptions anyway (albeit, slower).

It's not 100% necessary but it is the best thing to do if you have that option - it will mean the gearbox adapts quicker.

If you have the time, the full adaptation process is definitely worth it.

[Bonefishblues]

Originally Posted by ferg55

I would avoid using a garage that flushes the box with a machine (i.e under pressure) this has been known to cause harm to the valves etc.

You don't need to pressure-flush it anyway - the proper method (Volvo approved) is to disconnect the pipe from the intercooler and let the box pump the oil out of the torque converter and internals by itself (aka Gibbons method).

I thought flushing machines operated under gravity and the 'boxes own operation, as opposed to being pressurised themselves. Am I mistaken?