I already have a thread open with TECH but I know he cannot answer until late evenings. I have an ongoing issue where a local shop put in a brand of ATF called "Global" and on top of it, it was for Aisin AW50-42 transmission. Well I have a 2002 C70 coupe that has an Aisin AW55-50SN transmission. Even TECH said if they were putting in AW50-42 in an AW55-50 it would have been fine, but I have an AW-55-50"SN" which requires the likes of either OEM Volvo ATF or Mobil ATF 3309. Now I have a CEL and transmission is slipping and wouldn't get out of 1st gear.

The shop said they'll drain the old stuff and put in Mobil ATF 3309 for me, but I don't know if a "drain" would be enough at this point and a "flush" is a must? Thanks for any input. I am taking my car in about 2pm CST back to the shop.

 

I've had exactly the same thing. A volvo specialist changed my transmission oil on an AW 50/55SN geartronic. It had had one change before by a main dealer at 100k and had done 170k so I decided to have it done again. After it was done it drove fine for almost five thousand miles and then one day got the transmission service urgent message. I checked the fluid and it was black and burnt! After only 5k!!! This fluid usually does well over 100k! I went back to the specialist and he told me that he hadnt used OEM fluid but had used the equivalent. I asked him what the spec was and he couldnt tell me. Of course he couldnt Volvo dont tell anyone! Ok its expensive but it MUST be volvo fluid (or toyota as they make Aisen Warner boxes) and it MUST be for the right number gearbox. Now my gearbox (tranny to you) is dead and my totally reliable and pampered Volvo V70 T5 is off the road. I've told the so called specialist that he needs to change the gearbox and the car is with him. He'll be taken to court otherwise! If it comes to it he'll be named and shamed on every Volvo Forum I can find! Ok its expensive but it is the only stuff to use, its only once every 100k, why skimp on the wrong stuff!

 

It will wipe the transmission out!

 

Thanks for your reply Tech! Im busy collecting quotes to take to the Volvo Specialist who destroyed my gearbox. I have also contacted my local trading standards who are going to try and mediate.
Would you please be kind enough to elaborate a little on the consequences ofhaving had the wrong oil in my transmission for 5 thousand miles. The symptoms were a burning smell, a judder on take up and and erratic gear change along with the transmission service message on the gearbox.

When they changed my gearbox oil for the second time (again using the wrong stuff) before I had worked out what they had done wrong they also claimed there were no fault codes and reset the lights on the dash. Later they claimed not to know what "vadis" is , would they have been able to read codes without it?
Oh and please excuse my ignorance but I am assuming you're a top Volvo technician right? Its always good to know who i am talking advice from as I've recently found out ;-) Thanks for reply

 

Yes it will act exactly like you explained. I have seen some transmissions go out faster than 5k miles.

I worked at Dealers for a total of about 7 to 8 years and then went to smaller volvo specific shops since and have about 15 years total working on Volvo's.

They could use different scanners that will read transmission and engine codes. Vadis is not a must.

 

AW-55-50"SN"


what is so special about the SN again?


This is what we are going to start using as bulk for these sometime in the future...


http://www.valvoline.com/pdf/Maxlife_ATF.pdf

 

I had my trans flushed at the dealer, at around 70k miles. At around 90kmiles the trans blew. They claim to use the correct fluid for the 5speed auto, but they have a B+G additive. So Im thinking they used plain old atf and the additive.

I have about 10k since the trans swap. I was thinking of doing a flush this week. My brother has some cases of synthetic trans fluid I might use, it meets the reqs. for the Toy trans

 

We use that additive too with the correct fluid.

 

Just had my 2000 S70's fluid changed(about 4 quarts). Lost third gear right out the door. Mechanic made some calls and was told by a transmission shop to use another wrong fluid and flush it out--he spent about $80 bucks doing this. Still no third gear. The dealership is about useless, brought it in for a scan and was told third gear was gone and you owe us $103.00. I guess wisdom comes at a cost.
Mec then cleaned the solenoids and now shifts hard into drive. I bought 14 quarts og T-IV fluid from the Toyota dealer, about $22.00 per quart less than Volvo. Flushed that through, same problem. Now, I have just found this link www.justanswer.com/.../2ainj-2001-volvo-whith-aw55-50-sn-no-3rd-gear-drive.html where it days that if the 6 sided bolt is removed from the top of the transmission the B4 band is released and third gear is gone. It's actually what the mec did--he showed me how he put the fluid in. My question is, is this now his responibility to fix?
Thanks

 

I would say yes he has to eat it.