JohnF
My 2004 XC90 auto is leaking transmission fluid, half a litre in 24 hours whilst sitting cold. It looks like the gasket on the pan although I have not gotten a thorough look over a pit or on ramps yet.
I am in rural SA, 650k from Adelaide and am having no luck finding parts or very much info on line.
I have determined that the transmission is an AW42AWD/4T65-AWD and that these transmissions fail often so I would expect there to be many threads about this transmission but can't find much. The search function gives me no results when I am specific and 100's if results when general. Can someone tell me how to make a successful search of the forum or point me to specific threads that might help me please.
Philia_Bear
It's a gm box used extensively in America and not much here in Aus
If it's just the pan leaking then you can just reseal it with rtv after cleaning off all the existing gasket
JohnF
Thanks, Silicone would probably be a lot cheaper than a gasket and much easier to get where I am. I wasn't sure that it would be up to the job.
Philia_Bear
JohnF;128727 wroteThanks, Silicone would probably be a lot cheaper than a gasket and much easier to get where I am. I wasn't sure that it would be up to the job.
Use a quality brand high temp sensor safe rtv
JohnF
The leak has been solved. Just about every bolt under the car was loose including a few in the transmission and pan. I now have a further problem as I put over three litres of Castrol Dex3 in the box before I started researching it. This was the only transmission fluid available where I am and I have to order in the right fluid in.
I have read how to flush the transmission but I would rather keep it simple. Right now it is about 50 50 old to new. If I drain the box, around half of that fluid should come out. Therefore if I drain and fill it twice, I should end up with about ten to fifteen percent of the Dex3 still in there. Anyone care to venture how detrimental this might be to my transmission.
Philia_Bear
Flush it a few extra times
Putting 20L through should see it good
JohnF
If I can find a 20 litre drum of oil.
egads (she/her)
3309 yeah? Toyota dealer should have it in stock and decently priced
JohnF
Is the Toyota dealer likely to be cheaper than Repco or SuperCheap auto?
Philia_Bear
JohnF;128788 wroteIs the Toyota dealer likely to be cheaper than Repco or SuperCheap auto?
EBay
Seller in nsw selling Mobil 1
https://m.ebay.com.au/itm/Mobil-ATF-3309-Automatic-Transmission-Fluid-1-Quart-Audi-VW-Toyota-GM-Ford/171147081425?hash=item27d92936d1:g:-skAAOSwD0lUkN~m
I doubt Yoda will be cheaper
Philia_Bear
The 5 speed needs 3309
I thought the 4 speed was a dex4 boxen?
Philia_Bear
JohnF
Everything that I have read says it needs JWS3309 compliant fluid and that Dex3 is not compliant. However, I have found mention of workshops using Dex3 and friction modifiers to make a compliant fluid so I am satisfied that a little remaining Dex3 won't hurt. Fully synthetic oils seem to be more temperature stable and whilst T4 is compliant, T6 is also compliant and so an improvement. I am going to the big smoke tomorrow so I'll see what is available.
pauljloz
Beware the internet search ...... not all discussions entirely accurate
in 2004 XC90's
T5 5 speed (AW50) owners manual says Volvo synthetic transmission oil Volvo P/N 1161540 (which is jws3309)
T6 4 speed (is a GM 4T65E) owners manual says Dexron III G (Volvo P/N 1161521)
JohnF
My transmission from the VIN is listed as AW42AWD/4T65-AWD. This is a 4 speed electronic GM box. The owners handbook specifies a Volvo fluid that is a JWS3309 compliant fluid which Dexron 3H is not. However, I just looked up Castrol Dex3, the stuff that went in and it is listed as an oil used in GM boxes pre 2005. The car is a 2004 model but the transmission is, as far as I can tell, only used in a small number of Volvos.
pauljloz
I've updated my post.
AW42 and 4T65 are different boxes. I am pretty sure the AW42 not ever used in XC90; only in earlier volvos.
Have a look here.
https://volvoclub.org.uk/vin_xc90.shtml
Philia_Bear
The 4t65 in a t6 xc90 uses dex3
JohnF
YV1CZ91G841119608 is my vehicle's VIN. So the transmission is a 4T65AWD and the Castrol Dex3 that I put in it is fine. I'll run with that. I might just do one drain from the plug to see the condition of the fluid and I will refil it with a3309 fluid. Thanks all.
Philia_Bear
Don't use 3309 in it
Penrite syn atf is the best thing for it
My reccomendation is 8quarts once a year
JohnF
There is Penrite full synthetic and Penrite LV full synthetic at the same price. DonI go the low viscosity or the other?
