On a previous post I was given advice to flush my trans due to slipping. I am wondering if I should or if I have to change the filter at the same time. Does the '89 240 have a filter or a cleanable screen? Will I need a new gasket? I would change the filter or clean the screen along with the flush except I don't have one on hand and I want to do the flush ASAP: before the next snow storm hits.

Okay I bought 14 quarts of Castrol dextron III mercon and I took off connection at radiator and flushed fluid out while adding fluid in. The problem is that the fluid never reached the nice new color, it is still dark. I spent like $40.00 on the Castrol fluid and I am wondering if I should by some cheap brand like Walmarts store brand to flush out the fluid until it looks new and then sometime later flush that out with a better brand of fluid.

I might try that Mobil 1 down the road after I get the fluid clean, but I have heard that synthetics can accelerate seal wear. Is that true with synthetic tranny fluid?

Your 240 does not have a filter. It has a screen. I just did this job 2x weeks ago. My screen was clean. Volvo themselves state it is not necessary to change screen when you change ATF / flush ATF. Others here will confirm that the screens rarely if ever get clogged/dirty/need changing. It is a real pain to drop pan. Messy and took me about an hour to get off filler tube then another half hour to get off pan. All only to find screen was fine/clean. Then another half hour to put back pan(yes with new gasket & new screen(original as said was clean/fine but what the heck I already bought it)). A waste of 2X hours time. Changing your ATF & flushing out is a good idea. See faq for great how to do it yourself tutorial. I changed over to Mobil 1 synthetic ATF. It is far superior to regular ATF. You might want to consider doing likewise. Good Luck.

Kpwall;

I'll post the following as a FYI/FWIW:

BOBISTHEOILGUY: Why do transmissions fail after changing the fluid?

UPDATE: I thought 4th post down was of interest.
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Norm Cook Vancouver BC; 1989 745T 204,000KM

I thought 4th post down was of interest.

Norm,

I scanned that post quickly, and may have missed something, but it seemed focussed on filters, defined as felt-like grunge trappers. Our AW70/71s have so-called filter screens, which are quite different.

Bruce
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Bruce Young
'93 940-NA (current) — 240s (one V8) — 140s — 122s — since '63.

Bruce,

Thanks for the clarification. I didn't know the Aisin Warners used screens.
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Norm Cook Vancouver BC; 1989 745T 204,000KM

Don't change the filter...it ain't worth it. I've changed filters before and NEVER had one dirty or anything. Doesn't do any good. Take the pan off...wash it out..whatever...but don't change the filter. If you have a drain plug, then simply change out ATF from time-to-time and before long, the entire volume will be flushed. OR..you can do the flush yourself at the radiator connections.
Cabbie2169

It is a screen type. You can clean it. I replaced mine but didn't really need to. You will need to change the pan gasket after cleaning the filter. messy job, but easy. I agree with Lucid about not changing it.

I have a 89 244 also. If my fluid level is not at or even a little above the max line my tranny slips and shifts funny. Just a thought.

I always used to drop the pan to replace the filter screen. But I never - NEVER - found a dirty one, so I stopped looking. IMO, messing with the tran pan for anything is a big mistake. Just getting the fill tube off is a potential disaster.

Then I learned that Volvo doesn't think it's worth the effort either, per this Technical Service Bulletin posted by Gregg Shadduck on Feb. 10, 2005...
=======================
TSB 17106
Dec 1990

"ATF filter cleaning deleted"

for 200/700/900
for all those AW 70/70l/71/72L transmissions
and for ZFHP22
(Does NOT apply to BW*)

"It is NO LONGER REQUIRED [capitalized in original] to clean and inspect the Automatic Transmission Filter..."
============================

I interpret no "inspect" to mean leave the pan alone, although the residual sludge is a slight concern. I guess on an unknown tranny with a lot of miles, I'd want to clean the pan one time at least.


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Bruce Young
'93 940-NA (current) — 240s (one V8) — 140s — 122s — since '63.

I agree with the advice not to drop the pan if you do not have toe. I believe that Volvo says that if you know that the filter was cleaned at somepoint in the past and the fluid is not really dirty don't bother. As was mentioned the filler tube can be a pain, but if you are always going to wonder about the filter just drop the pan. That is what I have done in the past, but have never found anything worth noting.

Greg N