Hi All

Well, I’ve been working on my Volvo 944 for about 3 months now.

Being automotively uninclined before this, I’m rather proud of myself. Items that I have replaced on the care are:

Changed Oil and filter
Drained transmission oil twice
Changed thermostat
Replaced distributor cap, rotor, plugs, and wires
Changed front rotors and brakes and rear brakes
Replaced transmission mount
Fixed windshield nozzles
Cleaned Throttle Body
Cleaned Flame Trap
Replaced Antenna Mast
Adjusted kickdown cable

Things that I hired out to do are mostly because dealing with belts at this point seems very overwhelming:

Changed V belts
Timing Belt and Tensioner
Water pump
Brake Flush
Coolant Flush


I bought the car from the first owner and have all the service records. Some areas of concern are that the transmission fluid was never drained from 75k to 140k, differential fluid has never been changed, power steering fluid was never touched, and everything is stock on the car: alternator, radiator, shocks, struts, etc. It is reassuring that the car has only needed general maintenance; the car has never broke down on the first owner. It is scary, though, that most of these items should be replaced very very soon.

My more tangible concerns are a slow oil leak, which makes the engine have a burning smell to it and loses about a ½ quart every 2 weeks, and the transmission has a very very slow leak. Over the course of the past 3 months, the ATF has gone down about ¼ of a quart, and there is a film of ATF (like condensation) on the pan. While not substantial, it raises concern.

My question is what items should be my top concerns at this point? And should I "gamble" with a transmission flush knowing that the ATF was over due by at least 3 changes? When I drained it the first time, the fluid was rosy black but no metallic particles.