Volvo s60 automatic gearbox quandry. IS A SCOTCH.

[Split_Pin]

My dad loves his S60 but at 8 years old, whilst still showroom fresh to me, is getting on a bit for him. One thing I have noticed, which he hasn't yet, but will, is that when accelerating up the gears on kickdown, when it goes into about 4th gear (these newfangled autos all have about 17 speeds) there is a quite an alarming thud. Not a shat your pants type of this but its there nonetheless.

 

My folks have a bit of an OMG reaction to big bills on cars by buying a newer one once the old one is fixed, so I want to try and get to the bottom of what this noise is before ky dad worries about it.

 

Anyone any ideas?

[320touring]

An old e32 735i I had exhibited similar issues hitting 3rd at Fu'Gutty (see what I did there?

 

dry torque converter was likely culprit- gearbox oil leak suspected

[jonathan_dyane]

Try changing the oil and cleaning/replacing filter?

[Noel Tidybeard]

dont most badermatics thump a gear or two if given a bit of a spanking?

[stuboy]

Try changing the oil and cleaning/replacing filter?

as above

[Split_Pin]

I'll ask my dad if that has been done. It's got a full Murray Volvo service history and they eel quite stringent with what needs doing when.

[skattrd]

I think the Volvo gearboxes are "sealed for life" so the oil won't have been changed.

[skattrd]

On my old S80 I ended up having to use a vacuum pump to such the oil out of the dipstick tube and refill it the same way. I think the Volvo geartronic boxes use special oil which of course isn't cheap.

[Volksy]

'Sealed for Life' read 'Will break'
 

Get an independent to change the oil. 

[cms206]

Dave Fowler knows of a Volvo specialist in the east end of Glasgow, possibly Voltech? They wouldn't touch his 700 as it was too old but an S60 would probably be doable.

 

Otherwise 50KWID 2NYT M8?

[dollywobbler]

Agree about fluid changes. This 'sealed for life' bollocks just means 'we don't want Autoshiters driving about in them in 20 years time.' And no, a gearbox shouldn't thump when you kick down.

[Split_Pin]

I meant to say, its only got 60k on the clock. I'll speak to the independent we use and see if he will change the fluid.

[Split_Pin]

Right, update. My dad took it for a service and MOT this week and told the garage, who are Murray Volvo in Edinburgh about the gearbox problem. They reset the gearbox to factory settings and said that if that doesn't fix the thump on kickdown then that will be a new gearbox, price 3 large. TBH the service there was a bit shit this time around. Prior to this he has always been very happy with Murray

 

So anyway, my dad basically said wtf, ok then and is now taking it to our local garage who can actually be arsed to think about complicated stuff.

 

The upshot is that he is now dead set on changing the car and was looking at a 62 plate S60 on Murray's forecourt which was of a lesser spec i.e. no leather seats and in silver, basically not as nice as the car he now has. I didnt want to steer him this way or that right now as he might just worry.

 

I'm just convinced that an oil change on the gearbox would solve the problem after what people have suggested here.

[Lacquer Peel]

The gearbox in my V70 is quite brutal on kick down too, it's done 147k and I doubt the oil's ever been changed. I think it's a very messy job to do "properly", guides mention back flushing and removing gearbox hoses, but pumping oil out of the dipstick tube and refreshing it sounds okay.

[Stanky]

Having read up on this about other scandanavian cars, I think you can do a 90% change by sucking it all out through the dipstick hole (fnarr!), filling back up, running it til hot, stopping, sucking it all out again, filling up, running til hot, sucking it all out and then filling up a third and final time.

 

The issue is that you can never get the stuff in the torque converter out, so it's diminishing returns. You could keep going ad infinitum but you'd never get it all - most people stop at 3 times as this is about 87% clean and reasonably priced, all things considered.

[Split_Pin]

It's more of a bang, you know the sort of sound you got in old cars with tired engine mounts when you disengaged the clutch.

 

I'm a bit disappointed in the car tbh. My dad has always looked after it and had it serviced in line with the manufacturer's recommendations. He's always treated the car carefully and its only got 60k on it. I thought it would have lasted a bit longer.

 

Then there's yours LP with a much higher mileage and going well.

 

I meant to say also, the s60 he is consdering is a 1.6 petrol. Surely that would be awfully underpowered, or is it one of these new high-output jobs?

[Minimad5]

I would buy some fluid (JWS3309) and do a complete gearbox flush, pretty sure these don't have a filter in the gearbox either.

You can try suck the old fluid out the dipstick tube, or the oil return cooler line can be unclipped and drained that way.

Not sure if you're into Automatics, but give the dipstick a check first - Visually inspect the colour and level, then give it a good old sniff and see if it smells 'burnt'

[Split_Pin]

Excellent, thank you, I shall try and find the dipstick to do this test.

[Minimad5]

It has a yellow small cap, and if memory serves me right should be on the right hand side, but is a little buried.

[Clanger]

Is it a 5 or 6 speed auto box?  If it's the 5 speed it's probably the Aisin AW55 which the fucktards at Wolwo decided to make as a "sealed for life" unit - the same box is used in the Nissan Altima, Maxima and Quest; however, those clever little Japanese fellas decided to make the transmission serviceable.  If that's the case try and flush it using some of the suggestions listed above, but be ready for the fact that it might just be compltely shagged.  A mate of mine had to throw away a perfectly decent Vulva XC90 as the cost to replace the trans was just too much to justify the repair.

 

If it's the 6 speed auto then it's an Aisin AWF21 - Dr. Google says they suffer a lot from computer problems, but an oil change may do the trick.

 

Whatever trans is in the car make sure you only use the proper fluid if you do try an oil change, otherwise that will screw the box up in a hurry.

[Split_Pin]

Im guessing its a 5 speed as the engine is the lower spec non D5 diesel. Thanks for your help, I will pass this onto my Dad.

[Split_Pin]

My dad has just taken it on a long run so the factory push-and-hold to reset appears to have worked.

 

Now he has a working car to chop in at a dealers although as its 9 years old they'll probably just look at it from 50 yards, make an offer of probably 1500 quid and my dad will take a Sharp exit with whatever car he decides fits his needs.

 

It's put me right off moderns, my Chevy is now playing up, thankfully under warranty though.