Engine/Gearbox problem

OK everyone i have a 96 850 2.5 automatic.Suddenly this week when I pull away from a standing start (more pronounce uphill),I get a judder or two (feels rough aswell) as if the engine isnt connecting properly and slipping so its like D-D-DRIVE.Its not every time but it does happen alot.I dont know whether its the engine or gearbox.I have fitted a new battery tonight,having an oil change tommorrow with filter,new spark plugs tommorrow,and a new K&N air filter next week (not the cone style).This is a service if you like cause the cars done 110,000 now and I need to learn how to do this myself.Hope someone can help cause other wise the car is a peach.

[markas]

Hiya

You need to pull at fault codes you may have triggered. This will give us a real idea that shooting our mouths off. The gearbox on an auto should last at leat 150k withou overhauling.

over too u

mark

[warthog]

Hi,

following a totally catastrophic internal failure of my auto box, a recon one was fitted by an independant specialist in Bristol. They did a great job, but I too noticed a judder (just like mild clutch judder) when pulling gently away uphill.

Back to the gearbox place and they spent quite some time asking round their contacts what could cause this problem. The solution that eventually came was that some (but not all) Volvo and Saab auto boxes of this design may show this trait. Nobody seems to know why. We sorted it by draining and refilling with fully synthetic auto fluid.

We still don't know what was causing the judder but suffice to say that it went away with the fluid change and hasn't come back after 2 years. I see you're has done 110k miles, it's probably due an auto fluid change by now.

Anyone in the Bristol area I can recommend The Transmission Workshop (0117 902 0133) for their help and service (prices are pretty good as well!)

Cheers

Brian

I too was told by an Automatic Transmission Specialist that a very large proportion of auto-box problems were simply down to either dirty or insufficient transmission fluid.
He also told me that quite a few drivers are towed in to him with burnt out gearboxes. Apparently they check their Power Steering fluid reservoir, and assume that this also is the fluid reservoir for their Auto-box!!! I'm not even going to comment on that one, but as he said, If only these people would look at their handbooks and find out where the dipstick for the gearbox is.

[Chris_Rogers]

Change and flush the fluid as Haynes manual.

You don't need to remove battery etc. if you raise the front of the car and remove the undertay first.

Thanx guys, I can see that an oil change is the way to go.Did i see on another post somewere that a fully synthetic engine oil is the better option for my gearbox?
cheers

[Chris_Rogers]

DO NOT put engine oil in any gearbox!

Use Dexron III ATF in your auto box.

Cheers I must sound really thick but i was sure i read it.I WILL put Dexron in
Thanx Bill

Had the gearbox oil changed today,so far so good it hasn't juddered yet when by now it would have and its soooooooo smmmmoooooootttthhh now aswell.I drive into london everyday 2hrs in and 2hrs out stop start so I recon it was in real need of this.Anyway will keep you posted

Cheers everyone for your advice

Bill

wonder if its still juddering? been 2yrs