I need some help. Friday the V70 left my wife stranded with tranny problems.
Now when I put it in gear, it acts as if its in neutral. If I let it sit for a while, sometimes it will let me move 20 ft. before goung back into "neutral".
Upon checking the ATF level I found that it is reading about 1 inch above the MAX fill level. I have never added ATF to this car (I'm confident no one else has either). The fluid did look dirty (not clear red).
I had it towed to a transmission shop.
Anyone know what may be wrong?

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1981 242 RIP, 1997 850, 2001 V70

Hello, These trannys aren't that bad. They need a few updates but most of them can be fixed without transmission removal. I answered an earlier post here .............. http://www.brickboard.com/AWD/volvo/1522015/V70-XC70/v70_auromatic_shifts_hard_reverse.html There is plenty of info on the web for a good valve body rebuild, but most times it is the linear valve trio or the 5 other solenoids which can be purchased or rebuilt in the aftermarket for 1/8 the dealer price. Most dealers don't even rebuild these trannys. Careful research will net good results. Pauli

You didn't say if the level was with the engine running, which is the only way to check the tranny fluid level. I guess this is the 5 speed, which is prone to tranny failure.

The transmission shop will quote you around $3000 to fix, and the car is not worth that much. Your best bet is to find a replacement tranny, if you want to keep the car. Even a replacement, with labor, will charge you around $1200, and it might only last a year or so.

If the car was at home, I would try a can of Seafoam and keep my fingers crossed. If reverse engages, the Seafoam might help clean out the gunk.

Klaus
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There is no present time, just the past and future

Klaus,

Thanks for the response.
Yes, It was running when I checked it and yes its the 5 speed. If the transmission is dead, I will be very sad to let this car go.
That being said I have been drooling over XC90's for the last several years.
Any advice on what to avoid with these?

Cheers,

Ben
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1981 242 RIP, 1997 850, 2001 V70

The level that high means the pump is probably gone, doomed.

As far as the XC90 goes, don't buy it for the occasional 3rd row seats. They are hard to get into and made for little people. I would look for one that has the 5 cyl engine, not the T6 or V8(heavy). Don't buy any Volvos from 2001-2003 because of the electrical and computer problems.

XC90 does not have more room than the XC70, just more weight and better visibility down the road. Oh, the XC90 gas mileage leaves a lot to be desired.

Klaus
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There is no present time, just the past and future

Klaus, are you saying that all 2001-2003 volvos are to be avoided? I was thinking about getting one to replace my 1998 XC70....

Metzger850

01 and 02 are a no go in my book. 2003 is questionable, the V70 is better than the XC???? 2004+ is golden. The 2004 is now 8 years old!

Klaus
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There is no present time, just the past and future

Were looking at something with a third row (for kids only), 4WD (we live in the country). We test drove a Honda Pilot yesterday but its not a Volvo...
There is a 2006 XC90 2.5 T with 80K KM on it that I'm looking to test drive this week. This will be the kid hauler for the wife. She likes the creature comforts and safety reputation of the Volvo.

Ben
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1981 242 RIP, 1997 850, 2001 V70

Sounds good!

Klaus
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There is no present time, just the past and future