Xc90 T6 problems

[hoyleyboyley]

Ha! worth a shot!

I've seen on other forums some folks have fitted oil coolers to help?

Perhaps a naive question, but if gearbox oil has been changed/is fresh, how will that help with the issues of the GM gearbox?

[Acer]

Originally Posted by hoyleyboyley

Ha! worth a shot!

I've seen on other forums some folks have fitted oil coolers to help?

Perhaps a naive question, but if gearbox oil has been changed/is fresh, how will that help with the issues of the GM gearbox?

I have heard of people trying different grade oils to offer better protection but fundamentally that gearbox is a disaster. End of the day no amount of oil or coolers can address the fundamental mismatch between engine power and transmission in these cars. The only reason dealers sell any is because not everyone reads forums!

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by hoyleyboyley

assuming that the gearbox does go pop, is there a better solution than fitting another AW 4 speed?

ie, could the newer box without issues be fitted?

It's not an AISIN WARNER box (they are the 5 and 6 speed jobs fitted to all other petrol and diesel XC90). It's a GM box that Volvo modified to fit everything into the engine bay. If you read the Wikipedia page on the XC90 - a lot of it talks of the gearbox problems and Volvo's inability to solve it. Very few ever made 100k, hard driven cars didn't make 30k, so statistically it is just a matter of time. The problems in older cars are probably worsened by economy repairs by previous owners.

Buy one if you want one but set aside 5p per mile for gearbox depreciation. With petrol now much cheaper they almost make sense if you think of it like that... (and never tow anything...)

On the road the other day I saw an XC60 T6 AWD - didn't realise they existed but apparently also have the 6 cylinder 2.9 Twin Turbo - anyone know what gearbox that has got? I'm assuming it's the AW TF80-SC that the other big petrol XC90's used?

[Acer]

Originally Posted by Tannaton

It's not an AISIN WARNER box (they are the 5 and 6 speed jobs fitted to all other petrol and diesel XC90). It's a GM box that Volvo modified to fit everything into the engine bay. If you read the Wikipedia page on the XC90 - a lot of it talks of the gearbox problems and Volvo's inability to solve it. Very few ever made 100k, hard driven cars didn't make 30k, so statistically it is just a matter of time. The problems in older cars are probably worsened by economy repairs by previous owners.

Buy one if you want one but set aside 5p per mile for gearbox depreciation. With petrol now much cheaper they almost make sense if you think of it like that... (and never tow anything...)

On the road the other day I saw an XC60 T6 AWD - didn't realise they existed but apparently also have the 6 cylinder 2.9 Twin Turbo - anyone know what gearbox that has got? I'm assuming it's the AW TF80-SC that the other big petrol XC90's used?

Funnily enough I saw an XC60 T6 two days back for the first time and also thought 'oh!'. One thing is for sure, it won't have a GM box . I am amazed Volvo still use the T6 label - tainted as it is by the XC90 debacle.

Best make that 50p per mile!

[hoyleyboyley]

yeah i picked up a T6 with LPG on not so long ago - so actual running costs aren't too bad.

72k with FVSH.

It works great, but i'm obviously concerned about what i can do preventatively to make the car as reliable as possible.

mind you, suspect fixing now with uprated parts as of 2010 isn't the costly exercise it once was...

[Acer]

Originally Posted by hoyleyboyley

yeah i picked up a T6 with LPG on not so long ago - so actual running costs aren't too bad.

72k with FVSH.

It works great, but i'm obviously concerned about what i can do preventatively to make the car as reliable as possible.

mind you, suspect fixing now with uprated parts as of 2010 isn't the costly exercise it once was...

Honestly buddy there is nothing you can do, other than drive it as gently as possible. The box will go and at 72k (though not high mileage) has probably already died once already. They always work great until one day the gears slip and on comes the engine service warning. Fingers crossed it has had an easy life and with caressing will give you no hassle .

Best of luck.

[adieu]

Had mine now for nearly 3 yrs and put over 25k on it(pervious owner had the box rebuilt at 60-70k). I've just had the same issues as any other xc90, lower wishbones. Alternator, wheel bearing and new battery. A new set of tyres and that's about it.

Considering I paided less than 5k for it 3 yrs ago I've done well. A D5 would have cost me nearly 9k at the time of purchase with similar millage and history.

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by adieu

Had mine now for nearly 3 yrs and put over 25k on it(pervious owner had the box rebuilt at 60-70k). I've just had the same issues as any other xc90, lower wishbones. Alternator, wheel bearing and new battery. A new set of tyres and that's about it.

Considering I paided less than 5k for it 3 yrs ago I've done well. A D5 would have cost me nearly 9k at the time of purchase with similar millage and history.

And that's the point. You can buy them cheaper, mentally set aside 5p per mile (assuming a £2.5k gearbox rebuild every 50k) and over a 3-5 year period the running costs are probably no different to an X5 or ML etc., even with the almost inevitable problems.

[Acer]

Originally Posted by Tannaton

And that's the point. You can buy them cheaper, mentally set aside 5p per mile (assuming a £2.5k gearbox rebuild every 50k) and over a 3-5 year period the running costs are probably no different to an X5 or ML etc., even with the almost inevitable problems.

That assumes the car will be kind enough to break after all those 5 pence pieces have accumulated. Reality is that it could go at any time. You could pay 4k for one and be left paying another 4.5k a month later. Not to mention the inconvenience and danger of it failing randomly. If people want to roll the dice then good luck to them. Personally I wouldn't touch one with a barge pole

[Acer]

Worth adding, that the only reason we don't hear of more issues on this forum is because petrol XC90s are rare in the UK. It is nearly all diesels. Yes the T6 is the most common of those available but check US forums and you will find tonnes of disgruntled owners. Out there it is nearly all petrol and as such the issues are extremely widespread.