AWD Transmission: how many of you have suffered AWD system issues?

[RoyMacDonald]

Originally Posted by Acer

For there to be such a huge variation in failure mileage, there must be a difference in driving style, towing, terrain etc. Doesn't make sense that some would go at 55k or less and others 100k or more.

Would be interesting to do a poll and establish how many people tow, where they live and so on.

The transmission was completely changed with the Euro 4 engine.(MY 2007) That's the reason. Also the new splined sleeve kit for the old Euro 3 engine models has improved things. It's corrosion and metal quality that caused the problem so that's going to vary the effect from car to car. Historic problem. Not worth worrying about. If you have a Euro 3 engine just treat it as a service item.

[Acer]

Originally Posted by RoyMacDonald

The transmission was completely changed with the Euro 4 engine.(MY 2007) That's the reason. Also the new splined sleeve kit for the old Euro 3 engine models has improved things. It's corrosion and metal quality that caused the problem so that's going to vary the effect from car to car. Historic problem. Not worth worrying about. If you have a Euro 3 engine just treat it as a service item.

Yes but you get people with Euro 3 cars that fail at massively different times. Has to be a solid reason(s) as to why there can be such a huge difference.

[RoyMacDonald]

Originally Posted by Acer

Yes but you get people with Euro 3 cars that fail at massively different times. Has to be a solid reason(s) as to why there can be such a huge difference.

What are the massively different times?

Lot of people don't even know when their Euro 3 AWD sleeve failed.

I know when mine would have from removing the sleeve before it failed. I read the forum posts on the sleeve for many years before deciding it needed to be replaced on average before 60,000 miles of use.

[Acer]

Originally Posted by RoyMacDonald

What are the massively different times?

Lot of people don't even know when their Euro 3 AWD sleeve failed.

I know when mine would have from removing the sleeve before it failed. I read the forum posts on the sleeve for many years before deciding it needed to be replaced on average before 60,000 miles of use.

I have read genuine accounts of pre 2006 cars still rocking on with AWD over 100k. One bloke I spoke with today sold his car at 110k with the AWD definitely still working. It is just interesting to note the differences. I am not talking about people assuming it works, but people who know it works because they still accelerate out of wet corners with no spin, traverse ice and muddy fields without issues etc.

No doubt the part is flawed and if something goes wrong with the AWD then that is probably the best place to start looking!

[RoyMacDonald]

Originally Posted by Acer

I have read genuine accounts of pre 2006 cars still rocking on with AWD over 100k. One bloke I spoke with today sold his car at 110k with the AWD definitely still working. It is just interesting to note the differences. I am not talking about people assuming it works, but people who know it works because they still accelerate out of wet corners with no spin, traverse ice and muddy fields without issues etc.

No doubt the part is flawed and if something goes wrong with the AWD then that is probably the best place to start looking!

Could you post some links please?

How did you know the guy you spoke to defiantly had his AWD working?

I read the forum for the R cars where the issue first appeared as well as the XC90 and XC70 and didn't come upon any disagreement about the problem. Guess I didn't look in the right place?

[Acer]

Originally Posted by RoyMacDonald

Could you post some links please?

How did you know the guy you spoke to defiantly had his AWD working?

I read the forum for the R cars where the issue first appeared as well as the XC90 and XC70 and didn't come upon any disagreement about the problem. Guess I didn't look in the right place?

No disagreement that the problem exists! . But it is a fact that some people have driven to much higher mileages than others on Euro 3 cars before having issues. Have a nose around the forums and you will note very different figures, which is interesting.

[RoyMacDonald]

Originally Posted by Acer

No disagreement that the problem exists! . But it is a fact that some people have driven to much higher mileages than others on Euro 3 cars before having issues. Have a nose around the forums and you will note very different figures, which is interesting.

Been nosing on the XC70 forum since 2002. VOC member since 1984. Haven't seen these wildly different mileage figures. Have seen very different time periods. Showed up on the R cars first before XC90. The high miler company cars first with private motorists a couple of years after. Difficult to work out precise mileage to failure as rare to find out at the time due to lack of warning sensor. Almost exclusively identified later. As it was identified by others as being around 75k I changed mine earlier at about 60k and it was starting to fail.

There may be the odd one that manages to keep going but most fail within that distance range.

The quality of the original sleeve metal makes the case hardening variable. That is the main difference with the new sleeve, better quality metal give more consistent case hardening.

If you have any links to unusually high mileages please post them.

All this only applies to Euro 3 engines in case anyone with a different later engine picks this thread up without reading the whole thing.

[REDSHEEPRIDD]

Hello Roy,

Like you, I am now on the XC60 forum as both my 90's are now memories.

I can however vouch that my 54 reg 163 which I owned for 4 years was sold with 110000miles on her with the AWD working perfectly.(original sleeve)

As I have said before, and it probably goes against the rational thinking, I feel that up here, my AWD was often called into use both through driving in snow & rain and by towing a twin axle and this may have maintained the life of the sleeve. I know that some will say that would wear it down quicker, but would it, or would sporadic use a few times a year be more harmful?

I didn't change mine as a precautionary measure because I took a warranty on it every year, which would cover any failure.

[RoyMacDonald]

Originally Posted by REDSHEEPRIDD

Hello Roy,

Like you, I am now on the XC60 forum as both my 90's are now memories.

I can however vouch that my 54 reg 163 which I owned for 4 years was sold with 110000miles on her with the AWD working perfectly.(original sleeve)

As I have said before, and it probably goes against the rational thinking, I feel that up here, my AWD was often called into use both through driving in snow & rain and by towing a twin axle and this may have maintained the life of the sleeve. I know that some will say that would wear it down quicker, but would it, or would sporadic use a few times a year be more harmful?

I didn't change mine as a precautionary measure because I took a warranty on it every year, which would cover any failure.

Hi REDSHEEPRIDD, Thanks for the info. A lot of the problem is caused by condensation which I guess the designers didn't expect in that location, so it could be that your use caused conditions that didn't cause condensation to form, prolonging the life of the sleeve. 110,000 in 4 years should keep everything pretty warm I should think.

It's all a bit academic now though. The Euro 3 is what it is and those of us with Euro 3's just have to keep an eye on AWD. If anyone with a Euro 3 finds their sleeve OK when they check it, just put it back together and leave it alone. It's up to the individual to choose to treat it as a service item. or not, I guess.

It's 9 years since Euro 3's went out of production, though so most Euro 3 AWD's sleeves will have been replaced anyway I should think.

Be interested to hear from anyone who's stripped their AWD sleeve down and found it to be OK. Haven't seen anyone post like that but may just have missed it.

Has anyone reached 200k with the original Euro 3 sleeve?

RE: the XC90 v XC60 Finding it difficult to decide which I like best. Don't know if you read my comment about the indi I go to saying my XC90 is the nicest XC to drive that they have go in to them, regardless of age. I know I just don't get the hesitation issue that people mention and get more mpg than almost everyone who posts on here. I did look a few cars before I chose the one I did because it sounded so good. It certainly seems to be standing the test of time. Regularly returns 40 mpg now.

[Deanhempshall]

Sorry for pulling this one back up but i'm going to look at a couple of potential new motors later today & wondered if there is anyway to tell if the AWD is not working without having it off of the ground?