While I was replacing the CV boot, I noticed a small oil patch on the garage floor. I traced it to the drive shaft to the right wheel. It's weeping past the seal. I don't know how long it's been leaking, as I usually park out side on crush stone. But the leak isn't to bad. Is there a overflow/fill plug to check if it's full and what kind of gear lube do we use? Thanks, Eric J

 

I'm in the process of buying a 2004 v70 XC from a dealer and my mechanic while he was checking it out found the same small leak. I asked the dealer if he could replace the gasket and he said there wasn't one and that the only fix is to replace the entire transmission and that Volvo wouldn't do that unless it go worse. Did you get yours checked out. I'm a little more than worried about buying this car then having the whole transmission go 2 days after the warranty expires... It's between $3-4 grand to fix.

 

Truspark:

I haven't seen a write-up of that repair on a Volvo, but on a BMW an output shaft repair involves removing the transmission and opening it up. So it's a lot of labor, but the seal is available, and it's sold for peanuts. Surely Volvo sells such a part. If Volvo does not sell the part separate from the transmission, and the dealer is unwilling to fix it, I'd personally pass. A 2004 is still pretty young to have that sort of leak (unless it is very, very slow). Your main issue would be keeping the fluid level topped off, which on an automatic involves following a car-specific procedure (running through specific gears, waiting for a specified temperature range, etc) with the engine running. Do the automatics have a dipstick? If not, fluid has to be topped off from underneath.

 

+1 I am also interested in the 5 speed gear lube.

 

OK_v70, thanks for the reply. I'm wondering if they are just trying to get me to buy the car without putting all that work into fixing the seal. Maybe if I demand they fix it they will get it done, or maybe they say no and hope someone else comes along and misses the problem.

 

Truspark, I agree with v70, pass if they won't fix. V70 do you know were the top off plug is and do you have the same leak? I have you beat by 3k, Ha.

 

OK, so I found out why they won't fix the leak - because they don't fix transmission, they just take them out and send them back to Volvo. They feel that Volvo won't fix the leak at this point because it's too small. So they offered to take the amount of money a transmission shop would charge off the price of the car. Should I get an estimate and then buy the car or could this seepage mean there are other more serious problems?

 

Truspark, sounds like they really want to get rid of the car. Do a Vehicle history on it, or look for another.

 

I think the techs are on vacation.

 

The carfax came up clean. Are there any other resources to check the history?

 

Try Consumer Reportson average history, or post a new thread for more response. Take the car for a beat run down some bumpy back roads. You must be getting a good deal, plus the transmission fix price decrease. Some times a lemon happens, and if the only thing wrong now, is a minor tranny leak.............. But if in dought, throw it out.

 

Walk away! IMO most people usually won't get rid of a 3 year-old Volvo unless there is an issue with the car. Is this car from a Volvo dealer? if he is blowing off the repair you know there is some seriious money involved . Any non Volvo dealer selling a 2004 v-70 either got it at auction or took it on trade knowing there was a problem. Save up some more money and get a used one that is a certified used Volvo with a warranty.

 

OK, Back to my original question.......While I was replacing the CV boot, I noticed a small oil patch on the garage floor. I traced it to the drive shaft to the right wheel. It's weeping past the seal. I don't know how long it's been leaking, as I usually park out side on crush stone. But the leak isn't to bad. Is there a overflow/fill plug to check if it's full and what kind of gear lube do we use? Thanks, Eric J

 

Engine oil Quality: Meeting API specification SG or SH Capacity (incl. filter) : 6.1 US qts. (5.8 liters)*
Automatic transmission fluid Quality: ATF Dexron IIE/ III and Mercon Capacity: 8 US qts. (7.6 liters)
Manual transmission fluid Quality: Volvo synthetic gearbox oil 1161423 Capacity: 2.2 US qts (2.1 liters)
Power steering fluid Quality: ATF Capacity: 0.95 US qts. (0.9 liters) Brake fluid Quality: DOT 4+ Capacity: 0.64 US qts. (0.6 liters)
* Turbo-charged models: Add 0.95 qts. (0.9 liters) if the oil cooler has been drained All specifications are subject to change without notice.



Above is from the 99 v-70 owners manual.

 

Thanks, but, that's for the automatic.Whatviscosity gear oilis in a Volvostandard transmision and where is the fill/overflow plug?

 

You might want to ask "Tech" or your local Volvo guru/mechanic but IIRC,you have to remove the drivers side front wheel and then looking at the driveshaft the fill plug will be on the left side of the shaft between the drive shaft and the steering rack. I think either Matthews Volvo site or Swedespeed had a thread last year about changing the fluid in the M56 gearbox along with pictures. You might try searching those two websites.

As for the fluid viscosity I have no idea, Part number is 1161423 Last time I bought fluid for a standard Volvo transmission was 6 years ago. IIRC it was around $8 quart for the Volvo brand fluid

 

Thanks Rick, I finally got an answer after all that ! I guess I'll just have to bite the bullet and go to Volvo for the gearbox oil #1161423 (Which is probly made out ofrendered reindeer *****) I mean, I have 2 types ofgearoil at home, one is synthetic.Whydoesn't everyone just use the same ? Anyways, thanks for the fill location and I guess it should be an over flow too. Eric

 

O.K. I pulled the plug to check the level of the gear oil, and it was full. I had left the car jacked up over night when I fixed the CV boot and I think the seal leaks, only when the car is at a steep angle. I cross referanced the gear lube, and had a bottle of Mobil 1 synthetic 75W-90 ready if it needed any. This is a good subsitute for 'Volvo synthetic gearbox oil 1161423', unless any of the Techs feel otherwise. Eric J