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Volvo 850 transmission fluid leak 850 1997

posted by muskox37 on Wed Apr 15 13:50 CST 2020
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last visit: Wed Oct 8 11:54 CST 2014

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I bought this 850 to get me through the winter and it has been a really useful car. It starts and runs like a champion and it came with a full set of mounted winter tires. The interior and the exterior are in good shape.

The seller's story was that she had spent a thousand on it to get a 'broken axle' repaired and that while the engine was out the timing belt, water pump, accessory belt, plugs, rotor and cap were replaced. This work was done by her 'mechanic ex boyfriend'. She was selling the car for five hundred dollars because it was not running. So the engine had been pulled and a lot of work done on it and I believe her story given the appearance of the engine.

A low battery was the source of her problems with the car and I soon had it running well.

I have owned a number of Volvos over the years but I have never dealt with a car that has a transverse engine and is driven by its front wheels.

It has a serious transmission leak. I am running through a couple of litres of fluid per week and I don't do that much driving. Is there a prime suspect in this story and if so, could a shadetree mechanic do something about it?

It is a good little car. Be a shame to see it going to the boneyard.

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Volvo 850 transmission fluid leak 850 1997

posted by KlausC on Thu Apr 16 10:10 CST 2020
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last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014

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So, where is the leak coming from? I assume that the floor under the car is totally covered. Could it be from a botched axle shaft seal?

If the air guide/mud guard under the engine is still attached to the car, remove it (2 10mm screws).
--
Keeping it running is better than buying new

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Volvo 850 transmission fluid leak 850 1997

posted by muskox37 on Thu Apr 16 10:55 CST 2020
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last visit: Wed Oct 8 11:54 CST 2014

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I took it to a local oil change place yesterday and the attendant had a look at it while it was over the pit. He told me the leak is on the RH passenger's side of the transmission. The LH side is dry.

I am guessing that it is the seal between the transmission and the axle that is the source of the leak. Either the boyfriend got the seal in wrong or he re-installed the old seal. So I have been looking at a couple of videos on how to replace the axle. In particular I have looked at Robert Spinner's video twice.

It looks like a doable job but I always worry when one has to jolt things loose. I would only be replacing the seal since the axle is fairly new.

Any advice or warnings would be appreciated.

p.s.

I replaced an outer tie rod end on this side of the car a couple of months ago on the advice of a local garage. Interesting that the leak problem is on the same wheel.

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Volvo 850 transmission fluid leak 850 1997

posted by KlausC on Thu Apr 16 12:38 CST 2020
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last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014

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If you don't change the oil yourself, use a local Mom&Pop garage. Never use a quick lube place, never.

Removal of the axle is straight forward, it just pulls out of the tranny easily. Replace the seal using a
Volvo part. Some of the really cheap 'rebuilt' axles are not up to spec and will leak with a worn seal.

BTW, Mobile 1 ATF is probably the best thing you can do for a tranny.

And use synthetic engine oil, always!
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Keeping it running is better than buying new

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Volvo 850 transmission fluid leak 850 1997

posted by muskox37 on Thu Apr 16 12:44 CST 2020
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last visit: Wed Oct 8 11:54 CST 2014

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I just used the quick change place to get it up where it could be seen. He didn't even charge for the time he took to take a look.

Now I do have a question for you. I just had my ex-mechanic friend here and he said that the axle goes into a differential, not the transmission, and that it would leak 90 weight oil, not ATF. This advice has thrown me for a loop.

He does not drive a Volvo but he is pretty knowledgeable about most car repairs. If he is right then the source of the leak is not the connection between the axle and the transmission/differential.

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Volvo 850 transmission fluid leak 850 1997

posted by KlausC on Thu Apr 16 12:47 CST 2020
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last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014

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The differential on a front wheel drive car is inside the tranny and lubricated with the same ATF.
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Keeping it running is better than buying new

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Volvo 850 transmission fluid leak 850 1997

posted by muskox37 on Thu Apr 16 12:49 CST 2020
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last visit: Wed Oct 8 11:54 CST 2014

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Kind of thought that. He was insistent but I will pass your message on to him. Thank you Klaus.

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Volvo 850 transmission fluid leak 850 1997

posted by jwalker on Thu Apr 16 13:02 CST 2020
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last visit: Fri Jun 6 08:39 CST 2014

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Klaus is right. It is called a transaxle as the diff and tranny are incorporated as a one piece unit. I also suggest using synthetic ATF. I used synthetic ATF in my 95 850 wagon and the transaxle was still going strong with no leaks when I sold the car at 250k+ miles. They are usually bulletproof except for the 93’s (first year).

The engine didn’t need to be removed to do any of the work he did.
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Will I buy another Volvo??? We'll see....

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Volvo 850 transmission fluid leak 850 1997

posted by muskox37 on Thu Apr 16 14:46 CST 2020
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last visit: Wed Oct 8 11:54 CST 2014

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I do wonder why the engine was removed. As you say, there is no need to remove the engine to replace an axle. Previous owner claimed that the timing belt, water pump, accessory belt, plugs, rotor and cap were replaced but that could have been done with the engine in situ.

Perhaps her former boyfriend had access to a garage hoist and all of the bells and whistles and decided to do a real number on the engine. It does look very clean and tidy and it runs like a clock.

I don't think she was bsing me but you never know. Regardless, thanks for your input. Much appreciated.

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Volvo 850 transmission fluid leak 850 1997

posted by jwalker on Thu Apr 16 17:08 CST 2020
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last visit: Fri Jun 6 08:39 CST 2014

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See your point. Removing the engine would make it easier to do the 2 belts and water pump as well as the axle. Space is a little tight. If you’re curious you can remove the timing belt cover and check the condition of the belt. That is the most critical part after all...:)

JW
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Will I buy another Volvo??? We'll see....

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Volvo 850 transmission fluid leak 850 1997

posted by jwalker on Thu Apr 16 11:36 CST 2020
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last visit: Fri Jun 6 08:39 CST 2014

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Sounds like a very nice car for very little money. If maintained an 850 can last a very long time. Much like a 240.

I was thinking botched axle seal myself. Because it was just installed the job might not be too bad as the hardest part is removing the inner CV joint from the transmission. Should break loose easier. It is doable in your driveway or garage. BTW - just found it in my Haynes book, chapter 8 section#10. Get a new seal from Volvo. It is too much of a PITA job to do it again because of a cheap seal...

Still can’t believe the ex-boyfriend removed the engine to access the drive axle! What a hack!!
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Will I buy another Volvo??? We'll see....

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Volvo 850 transmission fluid leak 850 1997

posted by muskox37 on Thu Apr 16 12:47 CST 2020
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last visit: Wed Oct 8 11:54 CST 2014

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Well, he did some other stuff as well, to give him some credit.

Mechanic friend of mine is saying that the axle joins a differential, not the transmission and that a leak from there would be 90 weight oil, not ATF. This really throws me for a loop.

Is he right? Or is it ATF that would be coming from a botched job?

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