Hi all.

Quite frequently my 850 GLT (with 115K, automatic Trans.) makes this noise from the front end which sounds like air escaping from a balloon (you know when you used to pull the balloon "throat" tight trying to drive your mom nuts). The sounds seems to come and go and not be related to temperature, drive selector location, etc. It goes away as I reach 40 MPH or so. No lights re: ABS, etc on the dash.

The tranny also makes a very light spinning/grinding noise (which might be inaudible to most) a lot of the time up until the 1-2 shift and slips a little going into overdrive.

Fluid change, no difference. Old fluid looked good.

I figure the tranny is gonna take itself (and part of my wallet) out sooner or later.

My questions are:
-is there any in these symptoms which strike a chord with you and which I could base a potential fix upon?
- local Volvo dealer techican says a "volvo exchange" tranny at ~1300 and 6 hours labor will be the fee....does this sound reasonable?

Thanks