Transmission flushing at home: Really easy, really effective

**MoeB** · 10-07-2007, 04:25 PM

Since many ATFs are backward compatible, their spec sheets frequently list oils that do not meet the same specs. I know others have been using Toyota T-IV in the Volvo AW-5550s without apparent problems, but I have not seen any literature that confirms it JWS 3309 compliant.

**BoBoKwok** · 10-07-2007, 06:53 PM

flushing is done.
So far no problem nor improvement are found.
Will see.

Originally Posted by BoBoKwok

I am going to have my o1XC's gearbox flushed by Toyota type IV tomorrow. Will let all you guys know if there is anything wrong.

**PierreC** · 10-08-2007, 11:31 AM

Thanks BillAileo, MoeB and BoBoKwok

I have not been able to locate Mobil 3309 in South Africa (yet) and the alternative - the Volvo branded transmission fluid - is too awful to contemplate (price-wise, that is!)

**MoeB** · 10-08-2007, 11:41 AM

I probably should have added that I would personally have no problem using Toyota T-IV if my only other choice was to get ripped off by Volvo.

**PierreC** · 10-09-2007, 12:48 PM

,,, and just to quantify the rip-off: the Volvo dealer charges the equivalent of US$75 for a 4 liter container of ATF - the Toyota dealer is satisfied with $28 for 4 liters of T-IV!

So this or next week-end I will do a flush using Toyota T-IV ATF!

**Jsandek** · 10-14-2007, 09:34 AM

Is there a trick for accessing the tranny dispstick on a 2004 XC70? From the top of the engine I can just manage to get my hand on it. I can relieve the metal clip and pull up on the dipstick access is so bad I have not tried to pull it all the way out. I can't imagine trying to do this while the engine is running to even begin to get a reading on the oil level. THere was an earlier thread about removing air intake to filter unit. It seems there is much else inthe way on my vehicle.

**ltoolio** · 10-14-2007, 06:10 PM

Originally Posted by Jsandek

Is there a trick for accessing the tranny dispstick on a 2004 XC70? From the top of the engine I can just manage to get my hand on it. I can relieve the metal clip and pull up on the dipstick access is so bad I have not tried to pull it all the way out. I can't imagine trying to do this while the engine is running to even begin to get a reading on the oil level. THere was an earlier thread about removing air intake to filter unit. It seems there is much else inthe way on my vehicle.

I practiced with the car off and wore a long sleeve TShirt that was tucked into my mechanics gloves.

Took me a while, but I finally got a feel as to how it needed to be done....could pretty much do it without looking by the last time I did my drain/fill.

Dipstick is maybe 6 inches long, made of yellow plastic.

**PierreC** · 10-16-2007, 11:30 AM

Does anybody know the diameter of the (yellow) dipstick / filler hole for the '02 XC tranny? Strange question, but I have been all over and not been able to find a long-necked funnel to fill the tranny. I want to improvise a funnel by using a length of clear plastic pipe fitted with a normal funnel ... and short of stripping and measuring I figured its worth asking first.

**PierreC** · 10-16-2007, 11:40 AM

I finally got enough T-IV fluid [16 liters] from two Toyota dealers at opposite ends of town, the clear pipe and I will hopefully have the improvised funnel by the weekend! Just getting everything was already a mission ...

So after threatening for some time now it is definitely OUT with the OLD ATF and IN with the NEW this weekend.

But a comment in another thread sparked the question as to whether I should have the AT software updated? Is it worth the +/- $120? I am not sure when the tranny software on my '02 has last been updated - more than 2 years ago, I suspect.

**PierreC** · 10-20-2007, 09:46 AM

I did it this morning - pumped through 16.1 litres of Toyota T-IV.

The old ATF was a dark chocolate colour and left distinct dreges at the bottom of the measuring cup when left standing for a while. Oddly enough, there was only a thin layer of metal particles on the drain plug!

It took me about 2.5 - 3 hours - measuring the "out" and "in" was quite time consuming, as was the SLOW fill process as it seems that there were many air blocks in the funnel (maybe it is just the particular funnel that I used?).

The difference is remarkable - the shifts are much smoother and almost imperceptable again.