crispy11
Hi all, I stumbled across this forum whilst researching the transmission issues I'm currently experiencing with my '06 XC70. Nice to know there is an Oz based resource like this one for us Volvo owners. Anyway, on to the nitty gritty! For the past couple of months I have been experiencing hard shifting between 1st and 2nd in my XC70. It seems to be slowly becoming a more regular occurance. It most commonly occurs after hardish braking when say, approaching an intersection. After the braking if I accelerate off it seems to hesitate (like its in neutral, as the revs rise) before clunking into gear and moving off. If I come to a compete stop there is again some neutral like hesitation before it clunks in to first gear. All other shifts across the gear range are smooth and pretty well seamless.
A local mechanic where I live here in Warrnambool in south west Victoria has told me it will need a complete new/rebuild transmission at a cost of around $5K. He's something of a European car hater, and advised I trade it immediately and buy a Toyota!
I would like to investigate my options further before I trade, as I really love this car and dont believe there is anything comparable on the market currently. So I guess I'm asking for some advice from you more experienced folk. Does anyone know of a Melbourne based transmission specialist for these AW55 transmissions? They seem pretty unique.
Is it worth me looking at a valve body/solenoid replacement? Some of my reading indicates that a dodgy lock-up solenoid (SLU) can cause the 1st-2nd shift issues I'm experiencing.
I'll balk at spending $5K on a new transmission, but I wouldn't mind spending $2K or even up to $3K to get the vehicle up to scratch. Its done 155,000 kms, and drives beautifully (other than the clunk!).
Any advice from you learned folk would be very much appreciated.
Cheers,
Chris.
Philia_Bear
When was the last time the car was serviced by a volvo dealer so that it got a software update ?
Philia_Bear
Also
5k for a new trans installed with warranty is one of the better prices i have seen
Ex850R
Bring it to Voldat in Moorabbin or Berry Motors.
Being from Warrnambool myself I only found Mansbridge Motors that were any good at anything Volvo , great guys there but perhaps not newer ones. Get it flushed and software updated asap. The boys in the above places are absolute gems. We are very lucky to have them.
Talk to Jeremy about his auto travails.
Look up his page on here about his builds.
He is also at Berry's.
Mark at Voldat is a factory trained tech from Europe.
Philia_Bear
If its already flaring
All a fluid flush and software update would do is to slow down the death
It cant be fixed at this point without replacing the valve body
crispy11
Hi Philia Bear and Snoopy, thank you both very much for the quick responses. The vehicle was last serviced by Volvo when I purchased it used from Bilia Volvo in Melbourne in 2012 with 96K on the clock.
Small world hey Snoopy! Mansbridge did the first local service for me after I brought the vehicle back here, and Alan Mansbridge was good to deal with. Again, he's not a massive fan of European vehicles and made that pretty clear at service time, but you are right, he may be a good one to touch base with. I'll also check out Voldat and Berry motors, I have family in Melbourne so I get down there pretty often.
Philia Bear, do you think the flush would be worthwhile anyways in the interim before I get the vehicle to Melbourne? I did replace the fluid (not flush) when I first noticed the problem, and it seemed to improve short term.
Any ideas what a valve body/solenoid job might cost, and do you think it is worth the gamble, or is the transmission replacement the only real option for me?
Thanks again guys.
Chris.
Ex850R
We don't like dealers......
They don't think they need serviced at all....
As Mike says , it may be too late and replacement solenoids are the go. Getting them from USA is best bet. Get Mark at Voldat to install. Or Berry Motors. They both have loan cars and ai am sure a longer term may be arranged , they are all kool guys.
crispy11
Thanks Snoopy, I'll take your advice and jump on the phone to Voldat and Berry motors tomorrow and see what I can arrange with them. I'm guessing they would probably know the best place to source spares if they think the valve body/solenoid replacement is the go.
Very much appreciate the honest advice.
Cheers,
Chris.
Ex850R
Mike is the Volvo guru. Phillip Bear
