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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Las Vegas
    Posts
    13

    Cool 2002 XC 70 Cross Country - Trans Flush?

    Hi all, I'm sort of anal about my vehicles and their maintenance. So, I thought I might ask you Volvo experts if you think that having a trans fluid flush has any dangers to it. 115k I'm trying to find out from the dealership where the service was performed if the fluid was ever changed before. Should it be flushed regardless and should I have a Volvo dealership do it ($450+)? Thanks for your help!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    Devon PA
    Posts
    11,409

    Default

    $450 is too much and no, at 115K miles with no history you should do a series of three drain and fills only

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Eastern Washington
    Posts
    93

    Default

    I used the' Gibbons' method--see posted note above on the procedure.

    Did my 04 XC70 at 50K miles and have nothing by happy motoring.

    Used mobile 1 3995 specification fluid. Total cost about $60.00 USD and 1 hour of time. Simple hand tools--really easy.

    Either method will serve you well--save yourself a hundred $$$$$$ and do it yourself if you feel comfortable.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Dimock, PA
    Posts
    1,559

    Default

    BLUEH20

    I think you mean Mobil 3309 which meet the JWS 3309 specification, correct?
    Bill
    63 PV544 (attempted restoration)
    83 245 DL OSD (transferred to son)
    85 240 GL OSD (transferred to son)
    03 XC70 OSD (traded-in 4/12)
    05 AWD S80 OSD (transferred to son)
    12 XC70 T6
    16 S60 T5 Drive-E (FWD)

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Bellingham, WA
    Posts
    4

    Default Me too!

    I also have an 02 xc70 with no history. It had 103k when purchased and had allegedly just undergone the valve body replacement. Shifting seems normal for an automatic at the present. I am wondering what is the logic behind doing three drains and fills vs. a full flush via gibbons method?

    P.S. Thanks to all those who maintain this site I was excited to find you all as I have no experience with Volvos. It's just a fancy kind of Subaru right? I've had two of those now!

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

    Default

    The logic is this: transmissions have been known to fail immediately after a flush...so avoid a flush to avoid the failure. The theory is that a flush will dislodge some old gunk that causes the failure.

    Personally, I don't buy the logic. If the trans is close to failure, then flush vs. drain and refill won't make much difference. You're using the transmission pump to do the Gibbons flush - and that's exactly the same flow/pressure that happens when the transmission is running...so it's not going to dislodge more gunk than it would when operating...The Gibbons flush will ensure that all the fluid is replaced. Drain and refill replaces about half. Do that 3 times and you're at 7/8 new fluid...

    In your case, the valve body was done - and the trans should have been flushed as part of that. So, feel free to flush it every 30K or so to keep it working correctly. Just make sure that you use a fluid that meets JWS-3309 spec, those fluids include Toyota T-IV and Mobil 3309 (among many others...) as well as the Volvo fluid. The only advantage of the Volvo fluid is the cool little container and the pleasure of paying 4 to 5 times the price for the same stuff...
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  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    Devon PA
    Posts
    11,409

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by jamesfegel View Post
    I also have an 02 xc70 with no history. It had 103k when purchased and had allegedly just undergone the valve body replacement. Shifting seems normal for an automatic at the present. I am wondering what is the logic behind doing three drains and fills vs. a full flush via gibbons method?

    P.S. Thanks to all those who maintain this site I was excited to find you all as I have no experience with Volvos. It's just a fancy kind of Subaru right? I've had two of those now!
    If you have a new valvebody, you have new fluid.

    Personally at these miles an drain and fill at every other oil change is a better idea (IMO)
    D&Fs don't cost much and is good for peace of mind
    Buy a case of fluid at a cheaper price and give them 4 bottles each time you do the drain and fill, that should keep you in good shape for a while.
    They should not charge more than 1/2 hour labor

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

    Default

    I'll second JRL - $450 is way too much...(they are charging a crazy amount for fluid, no doubt). You can do a Drain & Refill very easily when the oil is changed. The D & F takes about 5 minutes when the car is already up and the belly pan is off. It even uses the same sealing ring as the oil drain plug.

    If they are powerflushing (backflushing through the trans using a machine), then there is a chance of stirring things up...the Gibbons method is much less risky...

    D & F is what I have been doing with our '06 Corolla - it takes 3.25 Qts to D & F and it's a piece of cake when I am already doing the engine oil. At 75K the fluid is a bright clear red - good, in other words...and it has never been flushed...flushing replaces all the fluid, so you can do it less frequently. The D & F gets about half, so do it more often...

    If you change your own oil, you can do this easily, takes about 3.5 Qts. Make sure you measure the refill carefully to avoid overfilling and fill through the trans dipstick...if you take it to an Indie, they can do it easily as well. Bring them a new sealing ring and the correct fluid and make sure they fill through the dipstick, leaving the bolt on top of the trans alone...
    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. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Las Vegas
    Posts
    13

    Default Gibbons method?

    Thanks Astro14, JRL and BLUEH20. I certainly appreciate your sage advice. I'll let y'all know how it goes.

    Where can I find a link to the Gibbons method?

    I'll be changing oil and filter while I'm down there.


  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Dimock, PA
    Posts
    1,559

    Default

    Bill
    63 PV544 (attempted restoration)
    83 245 DL OSD (transferred to son)
    85 240 GL OSD (transferred to son)
    03 XC70 OSD (traded-in 4/12)
    05 AWD S80 OSD (transferred to son)
    12 XC70 T6
    16 S60 T5 Drive-E (FWD)

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