Hello all, I am new here, but have been on internet car forums for years (I am a regular at the Pelican Parts Porsche forums).

I bought a 1990 Volvo 740GLE (2.3L NA 16v) recently for a commuter/winter car, and it has been great up until today...

Coming back from a party in MA - luckily I was just about 15 miles from home - I noticed that something wasn't quite right about how the Volvo was running. It seemed to be revving higher than normal, and the accelleration didn't correspond the way it normally does. Before too long, it was driving almost as if the "clutch" was slipping. Obviously, seeing as it is an auto tranny car, I knew something was up with the transmission.

I pulled over onto the shoulder and saw that something was leaking underneath the car and onto the exhaust. Sure enough, the auto tranny fluid dipstick was pretty much dry. If I let the car sit in park for a few moments, the car would drive forward for a couple hundred feet and then the "clutch" would slip again. I got the car into a parking lot and called a tow truck.

Has anyone ever dealt with this before? Does this sound like a gasket, or am I looking at something more $eriou$?

Thanks in advance!

I ran my AW-70 out of fluid once and it never recovered. It always slipped and wouldn't get out of it's own way quickly. It has a five-speed now.
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The Breadbox - 1989 740 GL Wagon in White

Do you have the car now or is it at a shop?

I ran an AW70 transmission out of fluid once in my 1990 240. I had replaced the OD solenoid but didn't get the bolts tight enough and fluid leaked out. I refilled and went on my merry way with no issues.

I believe your car has the somewhat more tempermental ZF22 transmission. Not sure how this affects ability to recover from a low fluid situation. But as Steve said, step one is obviously to find the leak.

FYI - your 16V engine requires timing belt replacement every 30K. Unlike most Volvo engines, it is an interference design and significant damage will result if a belt snaps.
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Jonathan Knauer - 94 945Ti - fun!

You clearly have a leaking tranny. Fix the leak, refill with fluid, and you should have a working car. See the FAQ for tips on potential leak spots.

I managed to pinpoint the leak by pouring in a little bit of fresh ATF; it is coming from the rear of the tranny, just left (driver's side) of center. It appears to be visibly leaking where the tranmission (I think) meets the torque tube.

Is this the tail seal that I've heard about? What would be involved in a repair for a DIYer like me (I do a lot of work on Porsches)?

Tailshaft bushing procedure:

http://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/TransmissionAuto.htm#Trans_Output_Shaft_Bushing

Like I said in my other post, I'm not sure whether you have a ZF22 or AW70. Procedures might be a little different. You can figure that out by looking here:

http://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/700ModelData.htm#ModelYearChangesandFeatures
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Jonathan Knauer - 94 945Ti - fun!

I am not 100% sure which tranny I have. It is a 1990 Volvo 740GLE 16v 2.3liter non turbo. Does this make it the AW70? I actually just bought this car last month, so I am still learning about the model specifics...

That link you posted to the procedures was awesome... thanks again for that. The parts are on their way.

Thanks again.

FCP Groton lists the same part # for the bushing on 8V and 16V cars, so I guess you have the AW70.

Your shift pattern is P-R-N-D-2-1 w/ an OD button right?
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Jonathan Knauer - 94 945Ti - fun!

You have either a tailshaft bushing and seal or a bearing and seal. Check the FAQ for guidance. In any event, it's time for some work back there.

Thanks for the info, Jon and Steve. I will almost certainly tackle this procedure later this week...

Thanks again...

Post back and let us know how it goes!
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Jonathan Knauer - 94 945Ti - fun!

I have done a little research and it seems as though the puller has been previously used for this repair has been discontinued due to quality control problems.

Any idea how to get the bushing out without using the puller?