I'm looking for second opinions on FAQs, which say that Volvo says NEVER to change the automatic transmission filter.

Looking ahead for my next Volvo 240 which may be an automatic, how often should the transmission filter be changed?

What does it mean that draining and refilling the AT pan SEVERAL times over a couple of months still results in brownish tranny fluid? Is it completely explained by my inability to flush all of the tranny fluid, or something more sinister?

As a parallel and the basis for my questions: I just changed the AT filter on my 1989 Camry, and it was FILTHY, magnets were saturated with metal shavings. I have 143k miles and owned it only 2 months. The reason I'm aggressive is that every time I've changed the tranny fluid (5+ times), a couple of days later, it turns brownish/pink (no burnt smell). By the way, I added two magnets to the pan, as per the FAQs' suggestion.

Thanks

Unless you have a symptom of a clogged filter, do the flush mentioned in the FAQ's and move on with you life. If you want something to worry about, worry about the tranny cooler in the radiator side tank...change your radiator if you cannot verify that it is less that 10 years old.

The filter area on the AW7X is HUGE. Magnets are very rarely more than a little fuzzy. If the filter is fully clogged, it usually means that the clutches are falling apart from coolant contamination.

If by changing the fluid you mean draining the pan and refilling, you have only replaced about 20%-30% of the total volume of fluid in there. So as soon as you run it for a while, the old fluid will contaminate the new and give the brownish look.

There is a procedure you can find in the 700/900 FAQ's that is directly applicable to the 240 auto trans to completely flush out the old fluid and replace it. You will need about 12 litres/qts of fluid before you see clean fresh fluid coming out of the clear vinyl tubing.

I've used the procedure several times and it's fairly quick, and quite easy. I have never bothered trying to pull the pan.
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Bob: Son's XC70, my 83 240, 89 745 (V8) and XC60. Also '77 MGB and some old motorcycles