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Update on slipping tranny 850 1994

posted by  cleeland on  Fri Jul 26 15:48 CST 2002
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Here's an update on the slipping tranny...

Car was towed to dealer. Dealer looked at it yesterday afternoon. According to mechanic, the fluid was silver and had metal shaving in it. Diagnosis: new tranny. Cost: approx. $3000 P/L/taxes.

This dealer had, just <40kmi ago, serviced the fluid. So, I called the Service Manager (who's been very good over the last 8 years and has been very helpful, knows me when I call him, used to be a "wrench", etc.) and asked if he thought it was sensible that a car that had all scheduled maintainence at that dealer, including a tranny fluid change, should throw a transmission at 118kmi. He said no and would look at it.

He called me late this morning having just gotten back from driving the car. He'd looked at the fluid himself earlier and didn't think it looked nearly as doomsday as the mechanic, and told the mechanic to do a complete flush. They ran 16 quarts through the thing, then filled it.

The car drives now, but has a definite whine in 1st gear. Reverse seems to work fine. There's also a slight shudder that, I think, is related to torque converter lockup, but I've always had a hard time feeling lockup in that particular car.

His suggestion was to drive it that way until it gets too bad, and then either replace with the volvo transmission as quoted above, or with a used transmission (he'd called around and tracked one down today) for around $450 + installation. The flush today was done at no charge to me.

So, there you have it. Perhaps things could have been alleviated if I'd flushed sooner, then again perhaps they were on their way out and Wednesday was just its day.

-cj








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    Update on slipping tranny 850 1994

    posted by  someone claiming to be Herb on  Sat Jul 27 01:11 CST 2002 [RELATED]

    Sorry to say but that service manager is just wasting your time and is obviously incorrect. The guy then doesn't trust his own techs either? That'd be strange in my world. If the fluid was silvery with a slipping trans, it's toast and that's that, even if the fluid's been changed before.
    I'd NEVER let anyone install a used 850 trans in my car as you have no idea how good THAT trans is either and unless they're going to warranty it for you or cover the labor (10 hours book time), it's very likely that you'll pay double labor time to eventually get a Volvo reman trans installed later on but you'll pay 20 hours for total labor and be out the cost of that used trans too as most used major components have a VERY limited exchange warranty, like maybe 30 days.

    Now.....I work at a dealer so I know that the OEM Volvo reman trans runs about $1600 itself with a 1 yr, unlimited mileage parts warranty (labor's covered too if THAT fails during that time) and labor is 10 hours (with a new rear main crank seal, a good idea to avoid that cost in the future). I don't know what that dealers labor rate is but the job complete where I'm at is about $2,350 as I've done it several times.








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      Update on slipping tranny 850 1994

      posted by  LJAM on  Tue Jul 30 12:05 CST 2002
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      last visit: Thu Jun 7 07:55 CST 2007
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      I had my tranny rebuilt by a well known transmission guy in SC...warrantied it for 2 years/24000 miles. I now have over 50k more on the transmission. Cost $1300.








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      Update on slipping tranny 850 1994

      posted by  cleeland on  Mon Jul 29 07:41 CST 2002
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      Hi, Herb,

      Thanks for the reply. Interesting thoughts. I'd like to ask you a few questions on it.


      Sorry to say but that service manager is just wasting your time and is obviously incorrect. The guy then doesn't trust his own techs either? That'd be strange in my world. If the fluid was silvery with a slipping trans, it's toast and that's that, even if the fluid's been changed before.


      I guess I didn't interpret it as a "trust" issue whatsoever, but rather a question of a second opinion. I looked at the fluid myself before the car went to the shop, and it didn't look "silvery" as the tech said. I blotted some on a white paper towel, even. Now, it didn't look nice and red, but "silvery" I didn't see.


      I'd NEVER let anyone install a used 850 trans in my car as you have no idea how good THAT trans is either ...


      You're right, and I feel the same way. A used transmission is just that--used. Possibly abused. I don't think I'll go down this route unless it's simply to get the car ready to trade in somewhere.


      Now.....I work at a dealer so I know that the OEM Volvo reman trans runs about $1600 itself with a 1 yr, unlimited mileage parts warranty (labor's covered too if THAT fails during that time) and labor is 10 hours (with a new rear main crank seal, a good idea to avoid that cost in the future). I don't know what that dealers labor rate is but the job complete where I'm at is about $2,350 as I've done it several times.


      Your quoted price on the transmission is exactly what the service manager told me, so there's no difference there, and he gave me exactly the same specs on labor time.

      Your labor rate my be $75, or a little less (depending on if the $2350 you state includes sales taxes). The going rate for dealers here in St. Louis is $95, and even the trustworthy independent shops are well into the 70s. If you're within 100 miles of St. Louis, I'll gladly have AAA tow my car there and save money.

      Even at $95/hour rate, that would still put me at 2550. I don't know where the other $500 comes from. Taxes shouldn't be more than 8% of the $1600 (no tax on labor services). I've got a phone call in to the service writer that quoted me that cost, because it does seem excessive.

      Thanks,
      -cj








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        Update on slipping tranny 850 1994

        posted by  Sadude on  Wed Jul 31 00:57 CST 2002
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        just a word of caution. i had my run with some bad trannies in my 95 850 turbo. if you decide to go with an OEM replacement or even a rebuild JUST MAKE SURE that the techs know what they are doing.

        My tranny go rebuilt like 4 times by some shop that supposedly knew how to work on volvos and one of those times I had to pay cause I had gone over the mileage for the warranty. The dealer got it next and like rebuilt twice and also dropped in a new tranny twice before it was alright.

        so just be careful have patience and never open up your wallet, fight for that warranty.

        Sadude







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