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I just did a transmission fluid flush last night - super easy and straight forward. I removed exactly 8 quarts of fluid, and replaced it with exactly 8 quarts. I have a 1996 850 Turbo Sedan and I don't know if I just have too much transmission fluid in my car, or if anybody else finds the dipstick on these cars incredibly hard to read? I have done the readings exactly as instructed in the Volvo manual from my glove box, both cold setting (taking reading after shifting gears and waiting 10 mins) and also hot reading (after driving the car for about 45 mins straight, shifting and waiting 3 minutes). The fluid level seems to be way over the max hot lines no matter if it is hot or cold. Is anybody else ever able to get an accurate reading off this dispstick? Any tips for me? I am thinking I must have too much transmission fluid in the car, but it shifts strong with no leaks, even smoother after the flush last night. I just want to make sure I am not hurting the transmission by having too much fluid in there. Thanks for any feedback in advance! (used Redline Synthetic fluid from FCP Groton)
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1989 240DL B230F w/ 223k miles. Stock, except for some Virgo's and my stereo.
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All of the cars read too high, not to worry. The reason for the cold/hot settings is because of the fluid expanding when it gets hot, and 2 gallons is a lot of fluid. Do not drain any!
Klaus
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Klaus - Thanks for the input. I understand about how the fluid expands it makes total sense. Technically I removed the same amount that I put back in, I was just more so curious if anybody has ever gotten an accurate reading off the plastic ATF dipstick? I read somewhere once if the car is dead cold (no driving for 10+ hours) if you pull the dipstick with engine off, that will also be an accurate cold fluid level reading. Any thoughts?
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1989 240DL B230F w/ 223k miles. Stock, except for some Virgo's and my stereo.
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I checked the ATF level this morning. Garage temp at 70F, engine same temp, not started, dipstick showed 'full' on the cold side.
This may or may not be "correct", but looks pretty darn close to me. It has been this level for at least 75K miles. Almost time for another flush.
Klaus
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Thanks so much for the follow up. I extracted 1 quart last evening and I will check the fluid level again, I don't have a garage or level driveway so it will have to be another day unfortunately. Was that an 850 you checked the level on? I had a 240 and the ATF dipstick was much easier to read than the 850. That, or I have just always been over filled on ATF the whole time.
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1989 240DL B230F w/ 223k miles. Stock, except for some Virgo's and my stereo.
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I've been thinking about it, how exactly did you go about changing your fluid? You say you got exactly 8 qts out and put exactly 8 in. Did you go about flushing to accomplish this or did you drain out 8 quarts then put 8 more in? If the latter, then I believe you have overfilled your system. I say this because you are very unlikely to get 8 quarts by the drainplug (usually you get 3-4) then you fill a couple of quarts, cycle that through as it drains, and keep adding/letting it drain till it comes out clear. When it comes out nice and clean, you add the 3-4 (whatever came out) back in. It should be accurate on the dipstick.
If the former, then I don't know, maybe the PO broke the handle and switched dipsticks with another volvo, so it doesn't line up properly...
My '96 has always read just fine on the dipstick...
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My signature disappeared??
I have a 1998 V70 with a 2.3L high pressure turbo.
Klaus
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Klaus - Yes your signature seems to be missing, from what I can see. Makes me look at mine and it is showing my old 240! Whoops, gotta update that.
tmannian - I did a full flush. Got myself 2 empty pretzel keg plastic buckets, poured 2 quarts of water into it, marked a line for 2, added 2 quarts more, marked the 4 quart line. Did this up to 10 quarts (just incase I went over). Disconnect the ATF return line at the top of the radiator, jam on a 1/2" Internal Diameter plastic hose, put the other end in the pretzel keg. Started the engine, let it idle till fluid hit 2 quarts, shut engine off. Poured in 2 quarts of brand new Redline Synthetic ATF fluid purchased from FCP Groton into the ATF dipstick. Repeat the process until I had 8 quarts of old oil in the plastic containers, 8 quarts back into transmission. Fluid looked nice and new coming out as of the last quart.
I must have started off with more than 8 quarts is my guess? I am just really worried about blowing out the seals in the transmission, or other adverse effects from over filling. Last night I extracted about a quart from the dipstick (with a long thin plastic hose and a syringe). When I leave work I am going to drive it 30 mins, then do the shifting and wait 3 mins and take a hot reading. Every time I have done this thus far the dipstick is coated in red oil way past the hot line, so it makes me worried.
I hope that is detailed enough to answer your question.
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1989 240DL B230F w/ 223k miles. Stock, except for some Virgo's and my stereo.
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Sounds good, I was just wondering as to method, as I found out from my brother some people don't really think when they do 'maintenance.' He drained his oil and put 5.5 quarts in. He said it says it holds 5.6 quarts, I drained it so now I put 5.5 in.. Low and behold he was high on the dipstick, which turned to be about a quart and a quarter.
If you want to hook up a gauge you can get the line pressure. I'm not entirely sure of how to do this without raising the possibility of failure. Anyway, the idle pressure in the lines is between 56 and 83 psi. The max pressure is somewhere between 180 and 250psi.
The car does have a CEL for low pressure from the fluid (useful if a hose breaks off...) but hopefully you don't get to that point. I'd just pull out (and keep, no sense throwing away good fluid..) enough to hit the max line...
Finally, if you want to avoid the syringe and hose method, let the car do the work. You already have the apparatus to drain the ATF, just put it back on, take out a quart or two and fill back up to the appropriate level (hot or cold, depending on the test you use..)
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Perhaps you can explain for me why overfilling would cause higher pressure in the system? The dipstick is certainly not sealing well enough to be holding in the extra pressure. I have to admit to being fairly careless in this regard as with the turbo, it's hard for me to get to the dipstick without taking off parts!
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'96 850 and '83 244 DL both at about 200K; gone but not forgotten '81 245 and '64 Amazon
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The dipstick reads from the 'reservoir' which shouldn't have much (if any) pressure but right next to it is the sump that delivers the fluid at a reasonably high pressure (at Idle in drive the pressure is approximately 60psi, 85 if you're in reverse). The pressure will build depending on your task, but its not uncommon for your system to see 150+ psi. It'd be kinda cool to see the dipstick blow off at 150psi, but not with my car... Extra fluid will raise the pressure even more and can also cause 'foaming'.
Foaming fluid mixes with air a lot easier which degrades the fluid and the transmission (oxidation or rusting occurs).
Extra pressure presents you with the risk of the fluid cracking the barrier between the ATF and the Coolant in the radiator. Volvo's response to ATF and Coolant mixing is "change transmission" though if you catch it early enough it usually isn't required.
Extra pressure makes it a lot easier to blow out a seal in the transmission. Usually you just have to replace the seal and there isn't major damage done. However many times it can lead to something not getting enough (or any) fluid, and a major component seizing. Such as a torque converter.
Finally, your car shouldn't consume ATF, if it does then you might have to monitor more often until you find (and remedy) the leak. You should be fine checking the ATF at every oil change, unless your car leaks.
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Klaus - Do you happen to know the part number on your ATF dipstick? The one with my car is yellow and the number is 3502973. Someone mentioned maybe having the wrong dipstick? I have checked the fluid level on both hot and cold settings per the manual, and tried it with the "hot" part of the dipstick facing towards the engine, and the "cold" part facing the engine, and getting very different readings. I don't know if I am just being paranoid or OCD about this, but I want my transmission to last and I fear for overfilling and ruining it. My 1989 240 was solid except the tranny was leaking ATF like crazy and slipping, I don't want that happening with this 850. I have not seen any foamy ATF when checking the levels. I still get a slight smell of ATF in the cabin when driving this week after doing the flush this past Monday.
Does anybody know if there is a safe way to drain all ATF from the car? I would love to just start over, knowing exactly 8 quarts are in the car.
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1989 240DL B230F w/ 223k miles. Stock, except for some Virgo's and my stereo.
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How about that? My 1998 has the same dipstick.
I think your are being a bit OCD. It does not make any difference which way the dipstick is put in the hole, you should get the same reading each time. Try it with the engine off and see what you get. It should never be below the cold min mark.
With the engine running and in park, the ATF may be slightly above the max mark depending on how hot the fluid is.
No, you cannot completely drain the ATF without removing and disassembling the tranny.
This tranny is not like your 240, it is more complex. More solenoids, and more robust parts. Just keep the fluid clean and it will last a very long time.
Klaus
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Ah thanks for the updated info! I don't know if I will try and check the line pressure but that is great info and appreciated. I did not do the normal drain method because I don't have snap-ring pliers for that metal clamp, I do most of my work at a friend's house and he has every tool I could imagine. That was the only way I could come up with doing it at my house (he actually supplied me with said hose and syringe). I guess I will just keep draining and rechecking the levels until it is at the proper level.
I get slight hints of a smell of ATF after driving the car now, but don't see any drips or fluid on the ground or around the transmission housing. I guess it is just lingering from when I did the flush over the weekend.
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1989 240DL B230F w/ 223k miles. Stock, except for some Virgo's and my stereo.
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If I don't forget I will try it tomorrow morning.
Klaus
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posted by
someone claiming to be fixit2002
on
Tue Sep 7 05:38 CST 2010 [ RELATED]
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I believe you've overfilled it. Should only take 6 quarts unless you've installed an auxiliary cooler of some sort. Just start the engine and shift through the gears once or twice. Leave it in park with the motor running and check the dipstick with hot fluid. You can easily drain two quarts by taking out the tranny drain plug.
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