Volvo RWD 120-130 Forum

INDEX FOR 10/2025(CURRENT) INDEX FOR 2/2003 120-130 INDEX

[<<]  [>>]


THREADED THREADED EXPANDED FLAT PRINT ALL
MESSAGES IN THIS THREAD




  REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

Synthetic Transmission Fluid 120-130

posted by  Wireman on  Sat Dec 31 00:36 CST 2005
Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
last visit: Wed Sep 1 09:42 CST 2010
[RELATED]


Has anyone used a synthetic transmission fluid in an M41 tranny? If so, did it work well with the overdrive unit? I am concerned that it may cause slipping but I don't have any experience with it.

Thanks for your comments.








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

    Synthetic Transmission Fluid 120-130

    uid 5098's pic
    posted by  Sil on  Sat Dec 31 09:14 CST 2005
    Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
    last visit: Fri Oct 24 07:24 CST 2014
    [RELATED]

    I've been using Mobil 1 75W90 in both of my M41s (4 and 2 yrs respectively) without any noticeable ill effects. Before I started using it, I asked Phil Singher and Duane Hoberg for their opinion, and both gave their blessing. This is not to gainsay Matt, but from all the many opinions and accounts of experience I've seen here and elsewhere, I've come to the conclusion (rightly or wrongly) that, if the transmissions are in good shape to begin with, just about any lubricant that flows will do. I would, however, not go as far as to ignore the factory's warning against Dextron.
    Bob S.








    •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

      Synthetic Transmission Fluid 120-130

      uid 779's pic
      posted by  matt b on  Sun Jan 1 04:56 CST 2006
      Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
      last visit: Tue Oct 14 16:33 CST 2014
      [RELATED]

      I have a hunch that modern multi-weight gear oils a better than what was offered 30 years ago, and I've heard Phil's and others recommendations, and I trust them.

      I fear change :-)

      To be honest, I do believe the bearing failure mentioned earlier was probably in part due to using lighter weight oil. Surely it had nothing to do with the approximately 650,000 miles that were on that car at the time...

      Happy new year!
      --
      -Matt I ♥ my ♂








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

    Synthetic Transmission Fluid 120-130

    posted by  daveshan on  Sat Dec 31 09:06 CST 2005
    Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
    last visit: Sun Oct 19 07:03 CST 2014
    [RELATED]

    Yep, I've used Redline MTL in all my past M-46 tranny's and in the M-41 that is in my ES. It works very well. In my old '85 240Ti it stopped a bit of slipping in OD and in the ES it made the first 4 shifts easier and smoother with no ill effect on the OD.

    I would not use a synthetic multi grade as the viscosity may be wrong. Stick with MTL and you will be fine.

    --
    Dave Shannon
    Spring Valley, California
    '63 P-210
    '67 1800s
    '73 1800ES
    '88-240
    my pages








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

    Synthetic Transmission Fluid 120-130

    uid 779's pic
    posted by  matt b on  Sat Dec 31 08:49 CST 2005
    Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
    last visit: Tue Oct 14 16:33 CST 2014
    [RELATED]

    I wouldn't try it.

    And I don't mean to start another 'motor oil/gear oil' war, but my recommendation would be to go with what Volvo recommended way back when. Straight 30wt motor oil. Actually, I go with straight 40wt, but definitely not gear oil. And not multi weight.

    I once had a noisy gearbox in my 1800, and stupidly dumped in a little miracle cure transmission additive. The overdrive quit working immediately and never worked again. Didn't take long for me to find the cause of the noise was the lack of bearings supporting the lay gear cluster, which eventually caused all the first gear teeth on the lay gear to fall off.

    That and one other lay gear now grace a small table in the house... each with a tall slender candle atop...
    --
    -Matt I ♥ my ♂








    •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

      Synthetic Transmission Fluid 120-130

      posted by  Phil S. on  Sun Jan 1 08:48 CST 2006
      Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
      last visit: Fri Oct 24 13:18 CST 2014
      [RELATED]

      When the ODs were first introduced, the Volvo manuals specified 80W90 gear oil, just like for the non-OD trannies. The was later changed to 30W ONLY because it made the OD slow to engage in extremely cold conditions, well subzero. If you don't live where there's permafrost, 80W90 will work just fine.

      There's a school of thought in the British car community (and these OD are British, dontcha know) that favors 20W50...








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

    Synthetic Transmission Fluid 120-130

    posted by  honeychrome on  Sat Dec 31 06:17 CST 2005
    Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
    last visit: Fri Oct 10 03:31 CST 2008
    [RELATED]

    Search the boards for "Duane Hoberg"- apparently he's the resident M41/OD guru and there have been a few threads about this.

    As I understand it (but definitely confirm with a search, 'cause I ain't a guru and I ain't certain!), you should stick to gear lube in an M41.

    Tom
    NYC







<< < > >>



©Jarrod Stenberg 1997-2022. All material except where indicated.


All participants agree to these terms.

Brickboard.com is not affiliated with nor sponsored by AB Volvo, Volvo Car Corporation, Volvo Cars of North America, Inc. or Ford Motor Company. Brickboard.com is a Volvo owner/enthusiast site, similar to a club, and does not intend to pose as an official Volvo site. The official Volvo site can be found here.