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  1. #11
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Washington
    Posts
    1

    Default Fluids

    Had the AW50 tranny in our 2002 V70 flushed a couple of months ago. The shop used Maxlife, Dextron 3 Mercron + Lubeguard additive made by Valvoline. I know the transmission is fussy about type of fluid used. Any advice on is this fluid a problem and should I immediately flush it out and replace it with the recommended Motorcraft fluid?

  2. #12
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Virginia Beach
    Posts
    4,116

    Default

    Valvoline Maxlife is a DEXRON III/MERCON product...it's good stuff, I use it in my truck that specifies DEXRON II. (note that there is no "T" in DEXRON...)

    On the Valvoline website, it says "Recommended for use where.....Toyota T-IV..." and in the FAQs it says" Does MaxLife ATF meet the spec for Volvos with a Geartronic Transmission?

    Valvoline MaxLife Dex/Merc ATF will meet Volvo specifications that require the use of TIV or JWS3309 ATF."

    I am not a fan of using Maxlife, doctored with Lubegard Red or not (nothing wrong with lubegard either...), in this transmission...but since Valvoline says it will work, I wouldn't run out and flush it either. Note that a claim to be appropriate is not the same as a certification that fluid meets specifications.

    The question, for your shop, is why use Maxlife, when the specified product (Mobil 3309 or Toyota T-IV or even the Motorcraft) is the same price? Do they get Maxlife in bulk? Too lazy to go out and buy it?
    Current Fleet:
    2016 Tundra Crewmax 4WD 1794
    2005 MB S600 (126K, Michelin AS4, HPL 0W40)
    2005 MB SL600 (55K Michelin AS4, Mobil 1 0W40)
    2004 V70R (143K, six speed M66, HPL 5W40)
    2004 XC90 (235K, HPL 0W30 Euro)
    2002 V70-XC (295K, HPL 0W30 Euro)
    2002 V70-T5 (225K, IPD bars, Bilsteins)
    2001 V70-T5 (125K, IPD downpipe, cat back and other mods)
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  3. #13
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Ottawa, ON, Canada
    Posts
    463

    Default

    Right, so I have everything together to do a flush. 15L of M1 3309, nice graduated "thing of measure" to collect the output in, tubing, new crush washer for the drain, etc.

    My question is how the hell do you get to and get the dipstick out?

    My hands are fairly slim, but bloody hell did they build the car around the transmission...any hints to make it easier?




    Also attached are the VIDA instructions for checking the fluid level and an explanation of the dip stick marks.


  4. #14
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Virginia Beach
    Posts
    4,116

    Default

    It sure is difficult...I couldn't even find the stupid thing the first time I looked for it...I've got no hints, except to wear a long sleeve shirt when you check it hot...or you'll burn yourself on something...
    Current Fleet:
    2016 Tundra Crewmax 4WD 1794
    2005 MB S600 (126K, Michelin AS4, HPL 0W40)
    2005 MB SL600 (55K Michelin AS4, Mobil 1 0W40)
    2004 V70R (143K, six speed M66, HPL 5W40)
    2004 XC90 (235K, HPL 0W30 Euro)
    2002 V70-XC (295K, HPL 0W30 Euro)
    2002 V70-T5 (225K, IPD bars, Bilsteins)
    2001 V70-T5 (125K, IPD downpipe, cat back and other mods)
    1932 Packard Sedan (straight 8, dual sidemounts, original paint and interior, Shell Rotella 15W40)

  5. #15
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Manitoba, Canada
    Posts
    69

    Default

    I have never tried filling the tranny through the dipstick hole. I have big hands and it is a ridiculously difficult place it access.
    All I do is put my funnel and shorter tube straight over the o-rings on the return line fitting (which you have just pulled out of the cooler) and add fluid through that into the top of the valve body cover.
    Seems to work fine.

  6. #16
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Virginia Beach
    Posts
    4,116

    Default

    I use a funnel with the integral long tube...it's maybe 1/2" OD...and fits right into the dipstick tube...hadn't thought of your method...but since I have to pull the dipstick anyway....
    Current Fleet:
    2016 Tundra Crewmax 4WD 1794
    2005 MB S600 (126K, Michelin AS4, HPL 0W40)
    2005 MB SL600 (55K Michelin AS4, Mobil 1 0W40)
    2004 V70R (143K, six speed M66, HPL 5W40)
    2004 XC90 (235K, HPL 0W30 Euro)
    2002 V70-XC (295K, HPL 0W30 Euro)
    2002 V70-T5 (225K, IPD bars, Bilsteins)
    2001 V70-T5 (125K, IPD downpipe, cat back and other mods)
    1932 Packard Sedan (straight 8, dual sidemounts, original paint and interior, Shell Rotella 15W40)

  7. #17
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Bellaken9
    Posts
    1

    Default

    Welcome to the forum. I am new in this forum too and excited as I found many informative threats here.
    Hope to see you participating actively in the forum.

  8. #18
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Virginia Beach
    Posts
    4,116

    Default

    One quick note:

    When I do this, I have 14 QTS on hand and have found that 10-12 total (including the initial 3.5 Qt drain/refill and the 2L pump/refill cycles) usually results in crystal clear fluid.

    In addition, I have my assistant (my lovely wife, owner of the car) shift to D for one 2L cycle and shift to R for one 2L cycle. My theory (unproven) is that those two selector positions will pump fluid through different passages in the trans than P, getting more of the old fluid out....

    At $6/QT for the fluid (T-IV, from our Toyota Dealer, who gives us a 10% discount), the extra few Qts are cheap...
    Current Fleet:
    2016 Tundra Crewmax 4WD 1794
    2005 MB S600 (126K, Michelin AS4, HPL 0W40)
    2005 MB SL600 (55K Michelin AS4, Mobil 1 0W40)
    2004 V70R (143K, six speed M66, HPL 5W40)
    2004 XC90 (235K, HPL 0W30 Euro)
    2002 V70-XC (295K, HPL 0W30 Euro)
    2002 V70-T5 (225K, IPD bars, Bilsteins)
    2001 V70-T5 (125K, IPD downpipe, cat back and other mods)
    1932 Packard Sedan (straight 8, dual sidemounts, original paint and interior, Shell Rotella 15W40)

  9. #19
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Cumbria, UK. Maine USA.
    Posts
    513

    Default

    Rather than flushing the transmission occasionally. I always when changing the oil and filter, and naturally having to remove the belly pan. I remove the trans plug, its right there, and dump out the the usual 3.5 quarts of fluid. Finish up the oil and filter change, and fit my funnel and clear pvc tube into the trans dipstick tube and put in the replacement 3.5 quarts of new fluid. So the toyota trans is constantly being refreshed with new fluid, it doesnt cost much extra to do this and you get to drain the the trans sump, and there is always some sediment in there that drains out.

  10. #20
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Malvern, Worcs, UK
    Posts
    5

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Davidatthepoint View Post
    I have never tried filling the tranny through the dipstick hole. I have big hands and it is a ridiculously difficult place it access.
    All I do is put my funnel and shorter tube straight over the o-rings on the return line fitting (which you have just pulled out of the cooler) and add fluid through that into the top of the valve body cover.
    Seems to work fine.
    This sounds a good alternative to get the fluid in, especially if it could be applied to the TF-80 6 speed AT as this one doesn't have a dipstick. There is a proper filler plug (unlike the 5 Speed AW55) with a Torx socket head but it's not easily accessible.

    How long does it take to put a litre or quart of fluid in by this method?

    Thanks
    Last edited by Pete B; 03-22-2012 at 02:54 PM.

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