Is my gearbox weird or broken?

[Carlosos]

Just got a new to me 2004 xc90 d5 auto 115k miles.

It drives perfectly and is exactly what we need however the gearbox is acting strange ( to me ).

It slips. When driving along and giving it some welly it slips like I’m riding the clutch. Not huge amounts it almost feels like a cvt is supposed to feel. It goes faster but it doesn’t correspond correctly to the revs. Sometimes I notice it almost change up half a gear then it changes up the other half. It’s very strange but it almost feels like this is supposed to be what it’s doing. It doesn’t jerk or bring up any codes it just drives like this absolutely smooth. All gear selections work never any bangs or thuds or jerks. I’ve tried to video it but it doesn’t come across well on camera. Oh yeah I can’t get it to slip all the way round the tachometer it’ll only rev above it a certain amount, maybe 500 rpm max above what I would consider normal.

No history of auto box oil change but it looks redder than I expected on the dipstick although still very brown compared to new oil.

I’m perplexed.

Torque lock up occurs after 60 as it should and that’s the only time it feels normal to me apart from pootling slowly. My 07 jag s type 3.0 auto gearbox behaves exactly as I would expect.

So is my gearbox weird or broken?

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by Carlosos

Just got a new to me 2004 xc90 d5 auto 115k miles.

It drives perfectly and is exactly what we need however the gearbox is acting strange ( to me ).

It slips. When driving along and giving it some welly it slips like I’m riding the clutch. Not huge amounts it almost feels like a cvt is supposed to feel. It goes faster but it doesn’t correspond correctly to the revs. Sometimes I notice it almost change up half a gear then it changes up the other half. It’s very strange but it almost feels like this is supposed to be what it’s doing. It doesn’t jerk or bring up any codes it just drives like this absolutely smooth. All gear selections work never any bangs or thuds or jerks. I’ve tried to video it but it doesn’t come across well on camera. Oh yeah I can’t get it to slip all the way round the tachometer it’ll only rev above it a certain amount, maybe 500 rpm max above what I would consider normal.

No history of auto box oil change but it looks redder than I expected on the dipstick although still very brown compared to new oil.

I’m perplexed.

Torque lock up occurs after 60 as it should and that’s the only time it feels normal to me apart from pootling slowly. My 07 jag s type 3.0 auto gearbox behaves exactly as I would expect.

So is my gearbox weird or broken?

If it was broken, I'd expect loud bangs, jerks or even no gear changes.

A transmission fluid change could make a difference. If you have no records of it being done, I suggest you get it done at your earliest convenience.

[Carlosos]

Oil change is on the cards. Ordered the Mannol stuff and should be here any day. Got myself a long bendy funnel for the refill too.

any other thoughts anyone?

[Bonefishblues]

No. Do the changes and then take stock.

[Alycidon]

Vida can do a driving diagnosis, tells you if it slips etc

[Andymharrison]

Going off on a slight tangent, I'm planning change mine when the weather warms up a bit and wondered if anyone had used one of the vacuum extractors to change the gearbox as well as engine oil?

[Simmy]

just use the drain plug. its at the bottom of the gearbox to let out any contaminants .you will only get out 3 ltrs from the plug the rest of the fluid is retained in the torque converter and the valve body hence the need to do multiple sump drains and fills with some driving in-between. to get the fluid back to a clear red colour

[GrahamBrown1]

I have head of oil extractors used on the later gearbox’s with the fill plug and no dipstick. However with the older 5 speed box which you have to fill through the tiny dipstick hole this wouldn’t be possible so depends on which box you have. Be interesting to see how much the extractor got out compared to the usual drain from underneath. Not sure how much of a free path the hose would have through the gearbox either. You also want to measure how much is extracted so this presumably means having to clean an existing extractor or buying one just for trans oil. In theory extracting and refilling the exact amount would mean you wouldn’t need to worry about setting the level via the level plug. But after all that think I’d prefer the usual method.

[Andymharrison]

Originally Posted by Simmy

just use the drain plug. its at the bottom of the gearbox to let out any contaminants .you will only get out 3 ltrs from the plug the rest of the fluid is retained in the torque converter and the valve body hence the need to do multiple sump drains and fills with some driving in-between. to get the fluid back to a clear red colour

Well the last time I was under the car I tried to loosen the plug a fraction to be sure I could get it out before ordering oil, it wouldn't budge. The car was cold and I expect with some heat it would come out but rather than risk stripping it I wondered if using the vacuum pump was an option.

Would also save my knackered back and shoulders some grief!

[Carlosos]

Thanks guys. Oil change update coming soon.

How often and how many changes is best to do.

Is 3 changes ( sump dump so 3ltrs ish a time) with 50 miles between each one sufficient?