S80 d5 2010 aisin warner auto box advice.

[Karls80d5]

Hi guys, I'm new to the forum and the world of auto volvos. I recently purchased an s80 d5 geartronic, the car is a 2010 model with 84000 miles on the clock, it has a full volvo service history and tomorrow it's going to have its cam belt changed along with the water pump. My question is about the auto box, I want to have it flushed but have had mixed opinions from gearbox specialists saying it can do more harm than good from one and it's the best thing for it from another. Personally I can't see how the drain and fill method clears all the crap that has built up from 8 years of use and adding new oil will just end up contaminated in my opinion. Just after some advice from people who have changed the oil on their boxes in both ways, also are these boxes reliable? I was led to believe they were but since purchasing the car I've seen a lot of negative stories on the internet. All advice will be appreciated.

Thanks Karl.

[oragex]

It would be better to post in the section for 2007+
https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=112

I think the general census on forums is better replace the fluid every 60K miles or so, because of the past issues due to the so called 'sealed for life' transmissions on Volvo. Certainly, Volvo has improved the transmissions since, but it will not hurt to replace the fluid at a certain interval. The idea is that most surely Volvo thinks most cars will only drive 200K miles or so. The fluid is degrading over time and may be good for 200K but if one keeps the car for 300K or more, then it's going to be a different scenario. So better just replace it every 60K miles or so, just never let a shop use their 'power flush' machines, most of the time what we do it disconnect the return cooling transmission line at the radiator, plenty of videos on Youtube. Make sure to use the exact fluid for your transmission, and double check first it has a dipstick so you car refill by the dipstick hole.

[Karls80d5]

Hi thanks for the reply, so should I avoid flushing the box? The garage I spoke to told me they have a machine that flushes the box so I'm guessing this would be a powerflush.

[60041]

This has been discussed endlessly on this forum, and the general consensus is that it is highly recommended to change the fluid at 60 - 80,000 miles, but that power flushes can cause damage by forcing minute particles of crud into the valves etc where they remain and cause problems.
Whether you change the fluid by repeated draining and re-filling, or by using the method above by pumping the old fluid out through the return pipe is up to you; either way will help prevent problems in the future.

[galloot633]

yes the fluid change has been extensively discussed on this forum , whether you drain and refill or a "gibbons method " flush anything is better than nothing, regards the water pump swap, original pumps are regarded as " bullet proof " , mines now done 170 k miles , but if you must swap it for peace of mind make sure you swap for a genuine volvo pump, all the pump failures Ive read about have been third party pumps
Dave