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Volvo Coolant Change - To Do or Not To Do[ALL/1998] posted by G. Cameron on
Wednesday, 22 October 1997, at 4:52 p.m.
My '95 850 manual says that coolant change is not normally required, and suggests that the only maintenance required is periodic "checking and adjusting" of the coolant level.
Most of us were brought up with the philosophy of flushing and changing coolant every 2-3 years. What's the best answer for newer Volvos? Pros and cons?
Regards/ G. Cameron
Re: Volvo Coolant Change - To Do or Not To Do[ALL/1998] posted by Tiger on
Wednesday, 22 October 1997, at 10:46 p.m.
You cant hurt your Volvo by changing coolant. I change it every year but i have a Turbo engine.
Re: Volvo Coolant Change - To Do or Not To Do[ALL/1998] posted by Ed Lipe on
Thursday, 23 October 1997, at 8:47 a.m.
Usually, coolant does not lose it's thermal properties. What it does lose is it's anti-corrosion properties, which can be replenished from time to time with a conditioner.
Re: Volvo Coolant Change - To Do or Not To Do[ALL/1998] posted by Paul Elliott on
Thursday, 23 October 1997, at 9:28 a.m.
On our 850s, the coolant service seems to fall within the same category as the Automatic Transmission Fluid service: There Is None, other than checking levels! Whether it is due to the particular fluid properties, or the hardware itself, Volvo, if you call them up, will tell you the same thing: These are closed systems, which in this model, are not serviceable items. Die Hard previous model owners out of habit will most likely continue to service these items. However, it is NOT due totally to any marketing scheme of "look how little service this model requires." While ease of ownership is always a key marketing concept today, in the case of Volvo, it is Not done at the expense of long term reliability, which is always a key priority. Their long term testing of this model has simply shown that these items need not be serviced in order to enjoy long term use. The model first started shipping to the states in 1993, and there has been plenty of time for them to release TSBs , had they been required, to suggest that these items had better be serviced after all. But such is not the case. I suppose there is no way of knowing whether, after 10 years of experience here, they will discover that they were wrong, and owners interested in long term use had better renew both fluids after all. To play it extra safe, I plan on visibly inspecting the condition of all the fluids periodically, and change the brake fluid every 2 years, as Volvo recommends. So, we know that its not a case of them being 'anti fluid service' all together! They even recommend to 900 model owners, that they renew the ATF at, I believe, 25,000 mi intervals. But not our 850s! Apparently, the AW71 tranny found in the 900s wears the fluid very differently than our 50-42 does. But, this is just my opinion.....
Re: Volvo Coolant Change - To Do or Not To Do[ALL/1998] posted by Mark Klein on
Thursday, 23 October 1997, at 10:22 p.m.
For as cheap and easy as it is to do, I would certainly drain and refill the coolant. The drain is located right behind the water pump. Conditioners will improve the corrosion inhibitors but won't remove any of the trash floating around in the system.
About the 900 trans fluid change. The four cylinder 900 does have a 20,000 mile change interval. The 6 cylinder does not have a change recommended. For any automatic transmission, personally I would change the fluid every 20,000 miles regardless what kind of car. Its cheap insurance.
Re: Volvo Coolant Change - To Do or Not To Do[ALL/1998] posted by Paul Elliott on
Friday, 24 October 1997, at 8:59 a.m.
When I asked my dealer about having them change my ATF, the service writer said they dont do this service on the 850s! I've heard that some dealers will do it and others wont. My particular dealer has a service facility which has the number 1 CSI in the region, and is scrupulously honest. So, if he says there's no need to do it, and they dont do it, and theyve never had an 850 transmission problem where fluid is suspected, I tend to go along with him...When I get to 50,000 miles, even though it neednt be done, I may look for a facility to do it. I know there are service facilities which would be more than happy to perform this service, or any other service they could get the customer to pay for, but not mine. Another example is the installation of sway bars. I just had this facility upgrade my stock bars to the sport bars from IPD. If the installation is done according to the book, alignment is NOT necessary, provided a mark is made on the rear trailing arm mount, to maintain the toe setting on the rear. When I asked him to do an alignment when the job was done, he said dont waste your money. When I got hold of the Volvo rear suspension manual, sure enough, the procedure as spelled out there, calls for no alignment if done correctly. Now you know sure as youre sitting there that many places would be more than happy to take your 70 aligment dollars
About the coolant, my car has 17,000 miles and the quality of the coolant in the overflow bin is as pure as the driven snow. When it needs changing, will you detect a visual appearance change?
Re: Volvo Coolant Change - To Do or Not To Do[ALL/1998] posted by Mark Klein on
Saturday, 25 October 1997, at 4:57 p.m.
It is truly invaluable to have a service facility you can trust. I have no doubt they are as honest as they can possibly be. But when a transmission has failed, they are not torn down at the dealer. They remove the old one and in goes a factory rebuilt. Who'se to say whether the burnt fluid inside caused the failure or was an after effect of a failed part inside? Personally, I won't take the chance. On the 850, there is no filter to clean so it is even more simple and cheaper than changing your engine oil. Why not?
Re: Volvo Coolant Change - To Do or Not To Do[ALL/1998] posted by Paul Elliott on
Sunday, 26 October 1997, at 2:26 p.m.
My point is that they have had no 850 transmission failures! Nevertheless, if it
were simple, as my mileage increases toward 40 or 50,000 I might consider it
myself. According to the Haynes book, its not a matter of just draining and
refilling because of the Torque Converter. They say you've got to drop the
battery shelf, unplug one of the fluid return lines, plug up the hole left,
redirect the line to an container, and repeatedly empty and refil, until you can
view only clean fluid going to the container. Kind of sounds like brake bleeding.
Doing it this way takes over 8 qts I think. Anyway, do you know of a simpler way
to do it? Also, getting the exact amount of fluid in the tranny is crucial as
these 50-42 trannies are very sensitive to this. To me, while I have no problem
changing my oil or brakes, this sounds like its quite a bit more involved. Unless
you are recommending just loosening the drain plug, draining all that will come
out, and replacing that amound through the dip stick pipe. While this indeed
sounds simple, you're only replacing about a third of the total fluid.
Re: Volvo Coolant Change - To Do or Not To Do[ALL/1998] posted by Mark Klein on
Sunday, 26 October 1997, at 4:31 p.m.
Funny how they've never replaced an 850 transmission. We keep them in stock! You're correct in your summary on fluid changes. Most places which do a transmission service acknowledge you're only diluting the old fluid (this applies to most all auto transmissions). This is one reason the fluid change interval is relatively frequent on most cars and why it would be a good idea to simply remove the drain plug and replenish it back to full. You might get 3 quarts in after draining it from the drain plug.
Re: Volvo Coolant Change - To Do or Not To Do[ALL/1998] posted by Paul Elliott on
Monday, 27 October 1997, at 12:41 p.m.
I gather than that you're suggesting doing it the easy, 'dilluted' way. If I cant get my dealer to do a complete flush at 50,000 mi, than I might try it this way. Would you please tell me where exactly the drain plug is located? Also, since you'll actually only be refilling less than half the quantity, wouldnt you have to install the exact same brand of fluid which was is already in there? I guess that forces you to buy the stuff from Volvo for an excellent mixing. Lastly, when you mention "Most places which do a transmission service ", are you including Volvo dealers, or other transmission places? Assuming they will do a complete flush, why wouldnt you want to take your car there for the complete treatment, not just a partial dilution? Thanks.
Re: Volvo Coolant Change - To Do or Not To Do[ALL/1998] posted by Mark Klein on
Monday, 27 October 1997, at 10:11 p.m.
Due to the cost difference in "flushing" and "draining", I would simply drain and refill my auto trans about every 20,000 miles. This way you're not diluting into fluid which is nearly as old as if you waited until the 50,ooo mile mark. Very few places I know of will "flush" the fluid as standard procedure. As long as you use DexronII or III, any brand of fluid is fine. Just watch the full level and remember when Volvo says "hot" on the stick, they mean scorching! I recommend filling it between the cold full and hot full marks with the trans at normal idling temp.
Re: Volvo Coolant Change - To Do or Not To Do[ALL/1998] posted by Mark Klein on
Monday, 27 October 1997, at 10:28 p.m.
Ooops, sorry. The drain plug is at the bottom of the trans case facing sideways coming out in the direction of the passenger side of the car. I believe its a 22mm wrench size bolt.
Re: Volvo Coolant Change - To Do or Not To Do[ALL/1998] posted by Paul Elliott on
Tuesday, 28 October 1997, at 9:37 a.m.
Thanks for your advice, but 22mm?! I dont recall seing any under car drain plugs that size...For comparison sake, the lug bolts are 19 mm, and the oil drain plug is 17mm. Are you sure its this big?? Have you done this service yourself? Any idea of how much fluid is required to top up when the service is performed as you suggest? I was always uncomfortable with Volvo's recommendation that you never change your ATF...With the transmission being so expensive, it just seems like cheap insurance. And I really wasnt comfortable doing a complete flush myself. So, your suggestion seems like something I might like to try, but I want to make sure I've got all the facts. If you did do it yourself, at what mileage did you do it, and could you describe the color of the replaced fluid? What brand did you used to refill? Thanks again for your help on this.
Re: Volvo Coolant Change - To Do or Not To Do[ALL/1998] posted by Mark Klein on
Tuesday, 28 October 1997, at 9:51 p.m.
I put a set of shift solenoids in an 850 trans today, as a matter of fact. The drain plug is NOT a 22mm. Its a 24mm! Its almost directly under the right side axle. It took about 3 full quarts but this was with a little more fluid loss due to having the cooler lines disconnected and the front pan off.
If I owned an 850, I would change (dilute) the fluid every 20,000 miles.