This didn't get much attention on the end of an old post so i thought i'd start a new one.

My V70 smells like Maple Syrup occasionally. It used to be almost constantly until I had the transmission flushed about 6 months ago. The smell went and the transmission was behaving for a while. Its starting to get bad again and the smell is back intermittently, mostly when its running hot and the transmission is playing up.I have P0030 Heated oxygen sensor Heater Control Circuit DTC now as well. Does this sound like my coolant is getting into my transmission? I've heard that this can be a problem. Transmission symptoms are hard shifting, inconsistant throttle, and trouble deciding between 3rd and fourth when going about 50km/h. This only happens when its hot. I hardly use my aircon but when i do it does make the transmission symptoms worse. (a bitch when i need to defrost at the moment) Before i had it flushed and it was doing this, i would shift manually for a while and it would improve. Now if i do that it is just as bad and i get a "Transmission Service Required" message. This goes after a couple of restarts. The symptoms will remain as long as i'm driving in traffic. Another thing that has changed is that my temp gauge goes right down to almost nothing when i'm on the freeway. It never used to move much at all, a bit, but not much. Its also getting colder here in Sydney so the intake air at high speeds is a lot cooler. Driving in the city, the temp gauge sits right in the middle all the time, but it doesn't take much highway to send it back down again. i also had the MAF replaced last week. The car has 170,000kms on it and the ETM has a yellow sticker on it, but that was there when i bought it so i don't know how long ago that was done. (I have no history)

 

Do you get the same smell if you turn the heat on?

How does the trans fluid look?

 

The heat doesn't really affect the smell i don't think. I always just have my climate control set to Auto at 22degrees Celsius but with the aircon off. I haven't had a look at my tranny fluid. I'll see if i can get to it tomorrow. I've never been able to find the dipstick, although i;ve never looked that hard.

 

Tranny fluid looks liike crap.Starting to brown andlots of black crap in it. I checked it idling cold and it was a poofteenth above the cold mark.

 

You changed it out not long ago didn't you?

It shouldn't get that dirty that fast.

 

I'm starting to think that my mech may have just done a single drain and fill. She's due for a service in the next couple of weeks so i'll ask him about the last one and push for a good hardcore flush. If he did a good flush last time, what would make it that dirty that quickly? It was 9 months and 12000kms (7500miles) ago.

 

Transmission going bad. Dirty usually means clutch particles in the fluid.

 

Is it worth doing another flush do you think? Its a relatively cheap fix if I can get another year or so out of it. Do clutch particles mean the tranny is wearing down the clutch?

 

I would try another flush.

It means the clutches are wearing out.

 

So can i look at new clutches down the track or will that mean a whole new tranny?

I know i'm asking dumb questions but thank god we auto illiterate folk have wonderful techs like yourself to turn to!!

 

It is internal in the transmission.
A transmission rebuild will fix it.

 

Ok. 2 more questions and then i'll leave you alone.
1. Is a rebuild a cost effective alternative to a replacement tranny? New ones are installed for AUD$6500 - $7000 here in Sydney. Or I can get a reconditioned one with a warranty for $4100. Is a rebuild going to cost me the same as a reconditioned swap? (that sounded cheaper 6 months ago when the USD$ was worth more!!)

2. Isclutch wearjust simplewear and tear from a lot of city driving a lazy maintenence? Just want to avoid it in the future.

 

1.You would have to check with a local Transimssion shop. I might be really close to the cost of the recondition one installed.

2.The clutch wear is pretty much normal wear and tear.
Some swear buy getting the transmission flushed every 20,000 miles.

 

I'll make sure i get a good flush done with my next service, if not next week then the end of August (i'm going overseas for a couple fo months). I'll let you know how it goes. Hopefully theres a bit more life in my tranny.

Thanks for your help Tech. Love ya work!

 

I will be waiting to hear how it goes.

 

I had another look at the ATF today while it was hot. The colour looked a lot better than cold and there was no trace of black crap. It was very hard to read the level though, there is certainly no clear line like when its cold. If anything it was slightly over the hot mark. Is this bad/normal?

I've read that there is a clip of some sort on the tranny dipstick. Mine doesn't seem to have one, its just a plastic plug. I think i'm not going to get the flush done til September as i won't have time before i go OS next week.

I'm having a bit of trouble finding the JWS 3309 ATF here in Sydney so if anyone can give me an idea of where to find it, that'd be tops.

 

Just a hair over full isn't that bad.
These transmission love to be at the exact full mark when hot.

 

Uncle, go down to your local Toyota dealer, ask for T-IV (T4) ATF
its the same stuff as jws-3309
good luck

v70 2.4t