Hello,
I have an automatic 2002 V70 with 135, 000 miles. Today, while driving on the highway up a steep grade, the car started making grinding sounds and could not make it up the hill. It went from driving at a steady clip of about 75MPH (I am in the military and currently living in Italy where the highway speed limit is 130KM/HR) to all stop in about 15 seconds. There was some smell of oil as well. I tried bringing the car into a lower gear but no joy. Because the car stopped on a blind curve we focused on getting the family out and away from the car and called for assitance. We are lucky not to have been rear ended!

The car was towed back to a garage and will be looked at Monday. Aside from a check engine light, it seemed normal driving in the flat parking lot.

All the servicing has been done, the transmission fluid was flushed in 2008 at 91K and again at 105k. I believe the next scheduled time for a flush is 150k. The transmission has always made a little bit of a clunk when shifting into reverse. I purchased it used in California in 2008 with 91k. According to carfax, this vehicle had been a rental car initially, then had one other owner. We have had no problems until now.

From everyone's experience, do you think we are in for a new or rebuilt transmission? If so, does anyone have recommendations on where to get a rebuilt transmission (that can be shipped).

Thanks and best,

 

Hello, I would prefer to use PM for this info but since I don't know if you can PM or not (minimum post requirements etc.) I'll just post. I have had no dealing with these two companies. I've heard the first one mentioned positively by someone. The other one seems big and capable. I'm assuming you're desparate for info. Maybe they can help you. 1) Cleveland Transmission Repair | Cleveland OH 44142 a Cleveland based company. phone: 216 245-7201.
2)www.reliabletranmissionsltd.com a NYC based company. phone: 718 355-8643.
Don't reject the option of rebuilding your unit. A dealer may be required to "marry" a replacement transmission to your car's CANBUS system.
Good luck, Kira

 

If I'm reading you correctly, you are currently out of the country. Also you state that the car starts and drives in lower gears fine. If you smell oil, where is that oil coming from? You could have an engine problem just as easy as a transmission problem. Did you check your fluid levels? Did you look to see if you have a fluid leak? Is your radiator good?

It is very common for these radiators to leak after 10 years. If your radiator has blown, it could have leaked out your transmission fluid or engine oil if you have a turbo car. Look for and find a leak.

The clunking your have experienced going into reverse is likely a bad or worn mount.