I have a shifting problem that seems to develope after the transmission gets hot. The fluid also becomes burned very quickly after only about 5K miles of mostely around town short trips. Does anyone have any suggestions how to improve cooling or reposition the cooler to make it work better. I've cleaned it w/ a hose w/o much help. I know this is just a stopgap try and I'm probably looking at a tranny replacement but any help would be appreciated. Also does anyone have any info on a good tranny available in the SOCAL area for a '95 non turbo?

I would do a flush, and make sure the tranny cooler part of the radiator is flowing freely (clean it out.) Then check it.

Look at installing an external tranny cooler, like the Hayden Rapid Cool, in front of the A/C condenser. Unfortunately the tranny is the weak link in the 850, worse in the Turbo models because they used the same tranny that was designed for the non-Turbo but doubled the horsepower, and didn't offer an external cooler to help the poor thing. So the tranny depends solely on the radiator for it's cooling. How good is that? The tranny holds 8 quarts. Try flushing it and refilling with Mobil One synthetic ATF or Quaker State synthetic blend. But if you're already smelling burnt flesh coming out of your tranny it's on life-support already. Are you getting any DTC codes from the A-1 socket of the DTC boxes?


Mike
'95 850T

Thanks for the info. Only code the local indy Volvo shop was able to find was one for "winter mode". I suspect it's because it does stick in a higher gear for a while after getting hot.

I'm affraid you said it, you're up for a new/rebuild tranny. The reason it gets so hot is because your tranny is overheating due to ware/part failure. Your fluid is getting coocked.

Mobil one Synthetic ATF or Amsiol. Much more heat resistant.

You could add a tranny fluid cooling fan, that sits in front of the radiator and blows all the time for extra cooling..

You might want to get on 5K miles tranny fluid flushing schedule. Heck is much cheaper than a new tranny and you might get another couple of years out of it
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'88 240, '92 745, '98 v70 John, Tampa Bay