The Volvo thread

[Bonefish Blues]

I have yet to use my XC70 for camping but it’s used as a load lugger, I luckily had OE aero bars and I have a roof box. I have no doubt it would cope(probably better as it’s bigger internally)with camping in France as my previous 407sw managed well apart from a dpf issue.
I have a 55 plate Euro iii engine, I think the biggest problem is the “sealed for life” which causes so many problems with owners ignoring simple service considerations.

Yes.

Funny how the so-called 'fragile' or 'troublesome' AW55 autobox is only that way in applications where it's described as sealed for life. If it gets the requisite 60-70K (I forget exactly) ATF changes it's good for a billionty-seven miles, at least.

 

[keithmac]

Worth knowing!, do they have a sump plug or do you have to remove the sump to change oil?.

Sealed for life is just daft imho.

 

[Hicky]

Worth knowing!, do they have a sump plug or do you have to remove the sump to change oil?.

Sealed for life is just daft imho.

As far as I’m aware from looking on the Volvo forum it does have a dipstick but the refilling is a huge faf.
I got mine flushed and redone for £155 at a Volvo indy in Shaw(Oldham). I think it’s a similar price elsewhere, you’re better off googling it rather than me half arsed explaining it. If you’re mechanically minded it’s not too difficult but time consuming and tedious hence I just paid out.

 

[Bonefish Blues]

Worth knowing!, do they have a sump plug or do you have to remove the sump to change oil?.

Sealed for life is just daft imho.

Yes there is. Search "Gibbons method". (And then pay someone to do it!) Make absolutely sure they use JWS3309 ATF, nothing else.

 

[keithmac]

Not afraid of a bit of spanner work and do most things myself to make sure it's done right.

Just don't want to buy into another gearbox disaster due to poor design..

 

[Bonefish Blues]

Design is absolutely fine, no problems there.

Search Mannol on eBay for what's usually the cheapest source/brand of JWS3309, often from Germany.

There's plastic components where there shouldn't be there, I assume? (your 'box, that is)

Best treatises on the AW55 and later '80 box:
https://www.hortoncars.co.uk/blog/

 

[Drago]

Whatever the cause, the later 6 speed Geartronic box is responsible for far less failures than the old 5 speed unit. Interesting, Aisin Warner recommend occasional fluid changes but Volvo themselves do not - luckily my dad is an engineer and insisted it be done anyway, and properly pumped out and refilled and not just a drop and fill.

i remember well Keith's gearbox thread. I'm not afraid of the spanners, but reading that left me in a cold sweat.

 

[Bonefish Blues]

AW has always specced changes, it's Volvo that took it upon themselves to depart from that (and I assume got AW to accede)

 

[Archie_tect]

Whatever the cause, the later 6 speed Geartronic box is responsible for far less failures than the old 5 speed unit. Interesting, Aisin Warner recommend occasional fluid changes but Volvo themselves do not - luckily my dad is an engineer and insisted it be done anyway, and properly pumped out and refilled and not just a drop and fill.

i remember well Keith's gearbox thread. I'm not afraid of the spanners, but reading that left me in a cold sweat.

'ere Drago, you said who'd get a Volvo with a manual engine... but these issues with autos don't sound great either!

 

[cosmicbike]

I have yet to use my XC70 for camping but it’s used as a load lugger, I luckily had OE aero bars and I have a roof box. I have no doubt it would cope(probably better as it’s bigger internally)with camping in France as my previous 407sw managed well apart from a dpf issue.
I have a 55 plate Euro iii engine, I think the biggest problem is the “sealed for life” which causes so many problems with owners ignoring simple service considerations.

Ah, the 'Sealed for life' service interval. Sadly nobody knows what 'life' is. The gearbox oil on my '93 240 estate is a sealed for life service interval. At 180,000 miles now, and with small leak, I need to top up, so I'll do a flush. No chance, they actually glued in the fill plugs on '92 onwards 'boxes. I've not shifted it so far, the next step is up on ramps and welding a spanner to the plug, before persuading with a big knocking stick...

 

[keithmac]

Design is absolutely fine, no problems there.

Search Mannol on eBay for what's usually the cheapest source/brand of JWS3309, often from Germany.

There's plastic components where there shouldn't be there, I assume? (your 'box, that is)

Best treatises on the AW55 and later '80 box:
https://www.hortoncars.co.uk/blog/

If you've got a spare hour, this is my gearbox adventure with our Mk2 Kuga Powershift.

https://www.diynot.com/diy/threads/the-joy.508672/

As far as I know it's the only 2017 conversion ever done (just my bloody luck!), I couldn't rebuild the original and put plastic damper spring guides back in; just not my style..

I do not want to buy into that again, would finish me off..

 

[Bonefish Blues]

Ah, the 'Sealed for life' service interval. Sadly nobody knows what 'life' is. The gearbox oil on my '93 240 estate is a sealed for life service interval. At 180,000 miles now, and with small leak, I need to top up, so I'll do a flush. No chance, they actually glued in the fill plugs on '92 onwards 'boxes. I've not shifted it so far, the next step is up on ramps and welding a spanner to the plug, before persuading with a big knocking stick...

I think we do - it's the point at which the 'box is fubarred beyond economic repair

 

[Bonefish Blues]

If you've got a spare hour, this is my gearbox adventure with our Mk2 Kuga Powershift.

https://www.diynot.com/diy/threads/the-joy.508672/

As far as I know it's the only 2017 conversion ever done (just my bloody luck!), I couldn't rebuild the original and put plastic damper spring guides back in; just not my style..

I do not want to buy into that again, would finish me off..

If you get a good one (and the checks you'd do pre-purchase will tell you, happy to explain) then change the ATF and you're golden.

 

[Bonefish Blues]

If you've got a spare hour, this is my gearbox adventure with our Mk2 Kuga Powershift.

https://www.diynot.com/diy/threads/the-joy.508672/

As far as I know it's the only 2017 conversion ever done (just my bloody luck!), I couldn't rebuild the original and put plastic damper spring guides back in; just not my style..

I do not want to buy into that again, would finish me off..

I'd previously read it. Was impressed/depressed in equal measure

 

[Drago]

'ere Drago, you said who'd get a Volvo with a manual engine... but these issues with autos don't sound great either!

Ah, the one part Volvo themselves don't manufacture is the one that breaks!

It's limited to 5 speed geartronic boxes from about 2000 to 2005, and even then it's not all that widespread, only notable by Volvo standards. Try owning a Range Rooney if you like bits falling off new cars.