Oil leak, head gasket?

[Ian21401]

Addition of ATF-U noted.
The difficult gear selection at a standstill is fairly random. It may not happen for several days, then several times in one journey. I’ve found that a slight pause between depressing the clutch and moving the gear lever seems to help.

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Ian21401

Addition of ATF-U noted.
The difficult gear selection at a standstill is fairly random. It may not happen for several days, then several times in one journey. I’ve found that a slight pause between depressing the clutch and moving the gear lever seems to help.

Is it worse when you've done a few miles Ian? Or to rephrase that, is it better when cold?

[Ian21401]

Almost never when cold. Randomly when warm as stated.

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Ian21401

Almost never when cold. Randomly when warm as stated.

Based purely on that Ian, when did you last give it a gearbox oil change? Or have you ever?

My guess is the gearbox oil is old and has gone a bit thin and once warm, isn't slowing things down and/or providing the right level of lubrication within the gearbox.

[Ian21401]

Gearbox “Volvo Transmission Oil” ( VO1162647) last change April 2016 at 198,000 miles. Mileage now 225,000, so that’s 27,000 miles it’s done.
Assuming that it was never changed by the previous owner, (a doctor) I guess that another change could be beneficial. I changed the diff. fluid a year ago at 220,000, which was probably the first time it had been changed.

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Ian21401

Gearbox “Volvo Transmission Oil” ( VO1162647) last change April 2016 at 198,000 miles. Mileage now 225,000, so that’s 27,000 miles it’s done.
Assuming that it was never changed by the previous owner, (a doctor) I guess that another change could be beneficial. I changed the diff. fluid a year ago at 220,000, which was probably the first time it had been changed.

Probably a bit overdue then Ian, i've never taken any notice of the change intervals on manual Volvos as i've not owned one long enough to need to do it but all the other cars i've had with manual boxes have been a 24k interval, as have the autos i've had.

That's under "ideal" conditions, if you're doing anything other than "ideal" then it needs changing more and so does the engine oil.

As for the diff oil, i believe originally Volvo stipulated 48k miles (but not sure) and then decided it didn't need doing. However i still think it should and probably at 24k instead of 48k to help prolong its life.

[Ian21401]

I agree Dave. Assuming that the gearbox had never been changed until then it would have made sense to shorten the mileage and change it again a couple of times to shift more of the crap, as has been suggested in other threads re auto boxes. Neither job is difficult, it’s just that with the best of intentions they seem to get put to one side as there are other matters to be dealt with and unfortunately they are not all car related.
How did I ever find the time to actually go to work?

[Laird Scooby]

You've hit the nail on the head there Ian, there's been a little job on mine i've been putting off for a while now but must do it as it will constitute an MoT fail point and that is due soon.

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

You've hit the nail on the head there Ian, there's been a little job on mine i've been putting off for a while now but must do it as it will constitute an MoT fail point and that is due soon.

The condition of transmission or diff fluid isn't checked on an MOT. Changing it is best practice of course, but the person doing the MOT won't be looking at either of these fluids. Brakes, bulbs, suspension, tyres, emissions etc will be checked though.

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Kev0607

The condition of transmission or diff fluid isn't checked on an MOT. Changing it is best practice of course, but the person doing the MOT won't be looking at either of these fluids. Brakes, bulbs, suspension, tyres, emissions etc will be checked though.

I didn't mention any fluids in my post concerning a potential MoT failure point.

All i said was there was a job i had been putting off for a while...........

Something tells me MoT testers don't like flappy bumpers.............