Auto transmission fluid in my 2000 V70 SE...I think they killed my tranny....

Sep 25, 2005 4 Replies
M

I have a 2000 V70 SE. It is 2wd, no-turbo. It has the 5 speed auto transmission, not the 4 speed in the XC and GLT models.



I took it in at 70k to have the tranny fluid and filter changed. The transmission was working perfectly at the time. The repair place called me after changing the fluid and said the transmission was "slipping". I told them it was not doing this before. They then called back and said that the 5 speed takes a different fluid than the 4 speed and that they put the wrong fluid in. They ordered the right one and changed it again. Still same issue with the slipping. They sent it over to a transmission repair place that now tells me the transmission needs rebuilding since 2nd and 3rd gears are shot.



So my question is, could they have busted my transmission by putting in the wrong fluid? I did not even get the car back, so it was only test driven when they discovered the problem, no significant miles were put on it with the wrong fluid in it.



I don't know whether to be happy the problem showed up now and that I was not left stranded somewhere, or to be mad at the repair place for breaking my perfectly good transmission. I have a warranty, but it has a deductible and other out of pocket expenses I'll be out.



Thanks....Miles



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P

Miles, as far as I know they should not have changed the fluid. It should be fully synthetic ATF. Volvo say never change it, but the club recommendation is to flush/change every 100,000 miles. The repair place should have been fully aware of this so they have voided your warranty. They should be prepared to fully re-imburse you for the damage caused and either it's satisfactory repair or replacement.

All the best, Peter.

700/900/90 Register Keeper, Volvo Owners Club (UK).
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M

That's what happens when Dexron is used in the 5 speed automatics where the Volvo special fluid is called for. Usually a complete flush will cure the problem. (16 litres at $16!)

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M

They're telling me it now needs a rebuild even after the complete flush and filling it with the right stuff? Seems strange to me since it was not drive any distance (only test driven) after the mistake....

Miles

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R

According to a friend who is a Volvo dealer tech, the 2-3 gear failure was caused when the folks who did your work mistakenly removed the big hex "plug" on top of the trans thinking it was a fill plug. It's not. It is called a "locating pin" and holds the internal bands in place. Common mistake by non-trained people. He says they see maybe 1 every 3-4 months. Newer cars now have a non-standard 5-sided shape to prevent easy removal. Only fix is rebuild/replace trans. Trans is supposed to be refilled thru dipstick tube. Using standard ATF vs Volvo syn fluid usually only causes rough shifting, no perm damage.

--reed

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