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  • S80 T6 - transmission service urgent - restoration

Hi There, I'm new here and I know what you're thinking. S80 T6, brick in the title. Yes it's happened.

This is my second Volvo which I have purchased as a runabout car while I work on my project car (we'll call that car: car X). Wife drives our main car which is the other Volvo (XC90 T).

What I'm wondering is has anyone here fixed the dreaded transmission issue on the S80s? I have no issues dropping the engine and trans down and repairing it in the car (clutch plate and steels rebuild kit of some sort) but if it's a valve body issue it would be more of a pain to have to get hold of another one.

I've checked the codes every time I've received the dreaded Transmission service urgent message and it's suggested it is the solenoids every time. VidaDice clearly shows the solenoids are working when moving through the gears and it only seems to be that third gear is slipping (if I use tippy and just use 1-2-4 no errors at all). Could it somehow be the shift solenoid for 2-3 not holding when in third somehow? Or maybe that the pressure control solenoid isn't functioning correctly??

Any help would be greatly appreciated. If anyone says "bin it" that's not an option... I've had it for a few months and I'm emotionally attached. The interior is immaculate and only a couple of marks on the exterior paint job. It rides like I'm on clouds and goes like a bat out of hell when you need it to.
Lots of excellent gm rebuilt kits available
I'd rebuild with new race grade valve body and never look back
Philia_Bear;123308 wroteLots of excellent gm rebuilt kits available
I'd rebuild with new race grade valve body and never look back
Yea there are heaps of tear down videos and plenty of forum threads I have bookmarked so far, from what I can tell the solenoids are a bit different between the older/newer models, as well as the pressure manifold?

I'll probably get a rebuild kit and do it when car X is back on the road, that way while it's apart I can afford to have a good look at the throttle body bores to see if I need another one. Going to try and keep it at minimal costs for now.

Just wanted to know if there was first hand experience on here that may have dealt with the exact same issue. I understand the same generic codes can be caused by a multitude of underlying issues.
jb1986;123311 wrote
Philia_Bear;123308 wroteLots of excellent gm rebuilt kits available
I'd rebuild with new race grade valve body and never look back
Yea there are heaps of tear down videos and plenty of forum threads I have bookmarked so far, from what I can tell the solenoids are a bit different between the older/newer models, as well as the pressure manifold?

I'll probably get a rebuild kit and do it when car X is back on the road, that way while it's apart I can afford to have a good look at the throttle body bores to see if I need another one. Going to try and keep it at minimal costs for now.

Just wanted to know if there was first hand experience on here that may have dealt with the exact same issue. I understand the same generic codes can be caused by a multitude of underlying issues.
Slippage of any form can be one of a hundred things
Worn out clutch packs or bad fluid or leaking selonoids
The issue is, once the solenoids start playing up, the clutches most likely already are pretty worn and will need to be done. It's good practice to rebuild the torque converter otherwise the next box lives a short life.
Vee_Que;123418 wroteThe issue is, once the solenoids start playing up, the clutches most likely already are pretty worn and will need to be done. It's good practice to rebuild the torque converter otherwise the next box lives a short life.
I've read this somewhere else too, what's involved?

So far I'm thinking a master rebuild kit, transgo shift kit, solenoid kit....
You pull the converter off and take it to a transmission shop or converter shop and they will rebuild it by cutting it open and replacing the clutch in there and the bearings. Then they will weld it been together.
Vee_Que;123552 wroteYou pull the converter off and take it to a transmission shop or converter shop and they will rebuild it by cutting it open and replacing the clutch in there and the bearings. Then they will weld it been together.
Interesting. Only issue with that is I was going to drop the subframe and rebuild from the size, making access to the torque converter impossible unless I drop the trans.

Would it be more economical to try and source a new torque converter that will work with this trans? There would be plenty in the states I would imagine but shipping would kill.
Pull the box out of the car, it's going to make it cleaner to do the job. Plus that way you can change the input shaft seal and inspect the oil pump which you should clean out too.
Vee_Que;123590 wrotePull the box out of the car, it's going to make it cleaner to do the job. Plus that way you can change the input shaft seal and inspect the oil pump which you should clean out too.
This... all of this....
Gotcha,

Thanks guys. I'll definitely do it when car X is going and registered then. Do it over a couple of months, take it out, do it right, lots of pics, etc.
15 days later
So rego runs out in a couple of weeks, then I'll start my parts buying quest.

In the mean time, I have some cheap 18" cratus wheels I got ahold of, they have some gutter rash so I sanded that back and chucked a couple coats of charcoal enamel on them, thoughts?


They look hot! My C30R needs wheels. Where are you based?
Well these are for the S80 when I get the centres bored out a bit. I'm in Adelaide, can spray wheels for car parts. lol
7 months later
Well it's been a while. Project X is out of the way, running and daily driven so the S80 has been put out the back. I've been in touch with Dave from Triple Edge Performance and he's suggested a few extra things in addition to the rebuild kit, all to be ordered in a week or two.

Going to also replace vac lines, test and clean the o2 sensors, replace front and rear engine mounts while it's out. Any other suggestions?
Absolutely. That takes me back to when we got our XC90, I replaced all that within the first few months due to the clogged carbon canister.
Parts ordered, hopefully I have the engine/trans out before the parts arrive. Went out to check on the battery and move the car, and found that some mice have set up in the engine bay, so I decided to pull apart their home and destroy it!







After these pics, I found they were nesting down in the starter motor area, and down on the back of the trans. I put the car out the back for a few weeks and this is what I get!!







1, 2, 3.. all came apart in a matter of minutes. The wiring looms are in pretty bad shape, I've noticed this when I purchased the car but it had been all working fine. Looms like I'm redoing the looming with new protective sleeves.

Next chance at it will probably be on the weekend. Does anyone here have a quick way of removing the front bumper? I remember the XC90 being a pig to take off. If not I'll load up vida at some point.
If they are native mice they are protected and your engine bay will be declared a habitat. You'll have to apply for a pernit to move them.
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