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Yes, I know there exist a plethora of similar topics, but my question is very specific and has not been succinctly answered. Facts only please, no opinions.
Will the transmission be adversely affected in ANY WAY by changing the fluid for the FIRST TIME EVER at 110K miles?
I know that, generally speaking, if you change ATF for the first time after so many miles, the new fluid will often damage seals, bands, etc. and almost certainly lead to or directly cause tranny problems/failure. If changing the fluid could have negative consequences, I won't change it.
Thanks everyone!
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dont change it, absolutly not never, not , really dont...
ok..could it have negative consequences, absolutley it COULD, but then again so could changing your engine oil....but i bet you weigh up the risks nad change that?
basically if its got particualte matter in it that causes WEAR its abrasive (hey thats physics you cant argue)...is it better to cause less wear - absolutley - the DANGER as I undeerstand it isthat if you tranny is already severley damaged it may depend on that abrasiveneess to work (although of course this is causing more damage...)
My OPINION having changed my fluid (DIY) and experienced the improvement in shift (and milage) would be to change it...if you feel the tranny is so worn its a high risk stratergy then your probably better to sell the car or fit a new tranny...
No one can say there is no risk (they simply cant) but unless you have severe wear its low risk and should be an improvement...
I too dithered over this one, did a LOT of reading, spoke to people i TRUST and the balance of opinion was change it, glad I did, but you have to make up your own mind....
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I'd be really interested in seeing some type of study done on why a worn tranny might need the higher levels of friction created by abrasives in the fluid to keep running. I'm not disputing that it's happening, I've seen lots of people post here that say they're experiencing it, I'm just curious why that would be.
Back when I was building vintage Mustangs, I used to run this stuff that Ford sells for their limited slip differentials that they called friction enhancer. Most limited slip diffs have clutch packs in them that slam together when one wheel starts to spin, thus locking the other wheel to the axle. The fluid I always used was basically very fine particulates (either silica or aluminum oxide I believe) suspended in a heavy oil. It gave those clutches something to bite against, and made the grip between the disks in the clutch pack tighter. But it wasn't so abrasive or large enough particles to damage the ring and pinion, carrier bearings, or anything else in the rear. Now I know the auto tranny in an 850 doesn't have any clutch packs, but I'm wondering if the same grip enhancing effect is going on somewhere in there.
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UPDATE: I spoke with a specialized Volvo mechanic whom I know in order to get a non-dealership-biased answer. He stated things similar to the responses above by saying that first time fluid flushes/changes on transmissions with high mileage will not contribute to premature leaks, wear, failures, damage, etc. He recommended changing it and to use the proper Volvo flush procedure (easy DIY job) as opposed to just draining/filling. I had already planned to use the flush procedure if the fluid was going to be changed (do it right or not at all).
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posted by
someone claiming to be Valvo
on
Sat Jul 31 00:38 CST 2004 [ RELATED]
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Do the proper flush procedure but drain the tranny and refill a couple of times the week before.
You will be horrified at the gunk that comes out of the plug hole.
regards.....valvo
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posted by
someone claiming to be BJW
on
Wed Jul 28 16:20 CST 2004 [ RELATED]
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Recently had the tranny on my s70 rebuilt, and asked all these questions. Shop said to change fluid every year, in their opinion. No harm done by changing old fluid. If you have a problem, you will still have one, but changing fluid won't cause one. In my case, changing fluid to mobil 1 after buying used car made the tranny run smoother for a while, but it still needed work.
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posted by
someone claiming to be bl
on
Wed Jul 28 10:05 CST 2004 [ RELATED]
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You occasionally see a disclamer ( ie IPD) attached to tranny flush kits that states something to the effect of " on very worn trannys you may experience problems post flush because you flush out old pieces of clutch debris that the tranny is actually using for friction on worn out clutches...yada yada...." I guess they have to say that to cover their butt but this would be VERY rare. You also run across an occasional moron mechanic or dealer who says never flush them. I guess these guys lay awake nights dreaming this crap up. The problem will come if you don't flush it. What effect will it have? Probably shift a lot smoother and last twice as long
bl
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"I know that, generally speaking, if you change ATF for the first time after so many miles, the new fluid will often damage seals, bands, etc. and almost certainly lead to or directly cause tranny problems/failure."
Where did you hear this? It's completely untrue, in my experience.
Mike
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I would (and did it) the change. It will look quite bad when it first comes out. You won't be dissapointed.
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I flushed the tranny fluid from my 1994 855 at 95,000 miles
early last spring. The documents I have seem to indicate this
had never happened before, and the fluid was black and truly
awful looking.
No ill effects noted, now that I have reached 100,000 miles.
-jas
--
96 850 Sedan & 94 850 Wagon
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Not a Volvo transmission story, but my dad drives around in a '94 GMC van with 188k on the odometer. He bought it new in '94 and isn't savvy about maintenance. In the last 6 months or so, the transmission started to shift hard and slip on rare occasions. Shops wouldn't flush the fluid for him because they all said a flush could finish off the transmission. A local mechanic finally agreed to change the transmission fluid, and the car has run fine since then. I remember the fluid being a dark brown color as well. From that experience I would take that leaving in old fluid is more harmful than changing it, and I still don't believe the "varnish" theory of leaving in old fluid. Besides, never changing fluid is a sure way to quickly wear out a transmission, so with this evidence, you have nothing to lose by changing fluid, even if you are late. My dad probably left in the old fluid for 70-80k.
--
'94 854 N/A.
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I changed the fluid in my '93 at 90K, and I know it was the first time. I bought the car from the original owner and her maintenance logbook had every little detail ever done to the car noted in it. There was no mention of the trans fluid ever being changed. As was the case with dimbulb's, mine was also black, smelly, and nasty looking. The car shifted 100% better after the change and now, with about 12K on it since the change, I've got no problems. My only regret is using regular old mineral based Dex III instead of Mobil 1 or Amsoil. I might go back and do it again this fall just to see how much better it can get with the synthetic. I've heard claims here of significant temperature drops when using Mobil 1 or something similar, which will ultimately lengthen the life of the transmission. Heat is the #1 killer of automatic trannys
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