Hello Tech... after my wife and I moved to Montana from Texas... a 100 degree temp change... I started seeing some differences in my S80. First, I had my rotors turned and replaced the brake pads with some ceramic ones... at first they worked great I felt a definite change and they still do, but right before the car comes to a complete stop I hear a bit of grinding. This doesn't happen at any other time during braking, just right before stopping. I re checked the rotors, they look fine... I cleaned them and the pads but I still get the same noise. Could it be just that since it's about -20F be one of the reasons???? Next, I'm looking for a block heater for my car, is it plausable for me to buy one or install it myself, or will I be better off taking it to the dealership in the next state since they don't have one here??? My final concern came after I drove the car cross country.. no problems at all!!! Great car for long trips, excellent gas milage!! After the trip I noticed that my transmission fluid is kind of dark and looks fairly dirty... it didn't look like this before the trip.... I did drive it through a lot of mountain terrain where there was a lot of sand, gravel, and salt on the roads due to snowy conditions.. could this be a factor??? I believe I need new fluid, a gasket, a filter, and a flush... is this something that a non mechanic could do??? I've been able to do a few things with your help before. Oh, I almost forgot another thing... last oil change I got... the car has developed a small leak at the oil filter area... the company went in and replaced the filter twice... but it keeps leaking... nothing where it leaves a puddle but where it leaves the surrounding areas looking wet...

Any help would be great... this weather change has taken its toll on my Volvo

 

First the bad thing was to have the rotors cut. Volvo rotors HATE to be cut.
I would try to get a decent aftermarket rotors. Brembo rotors are good. Thats what we use at work.

For the Block heater I am not really sure. Here in Florida we don't need them. I have never even seen a car with one in it.
I know some car company's have them in the spot of a Freeze out plug. Im not sure how Volvo does them.

As for the trans fluid getting dark over time it will. Eventually you should get it flushed.It is not a really big deal at the moment. How many miles are on the car?

 

I've got about 92,000 miles on it. I did an oil change yesterday and itlooks like the gaskets on the transmission oil pan are leaking.. needs new gaskets. I've found a gasket kit for it for 50 bucks is this a good deal, how hard is it to do?? And yesterday the SRS air bag light came on asking for service... do you think its time to trade the old girl in???

 

$50.00 is that bad for the kit.

The srs might be something simple.

But you won't know till you have the codes pulled and cleared.

Its up to you if you need to trade it in or not. I have seen 200,000 miles on these cars.

 

So is the trans something that I can do??? is this kit at a good price?

 

That kit even though Im not sure what is all in it. Doesn't sound all that bad.

The job isn't all that bad about 20 screws and the pan is off. Then install new parts and add fluid.

 

how would I pour the fluid in?

 

You pour it in through the dipstick tube.