I had to replace the transmission in my 88 745 last week do to the failure of the old one. It was replaced with a used AW70 from another 88 740 with 114k from a pick and pull. Front/rear seals, gasket and filter were replaced. I picked up the car on Friday and the transmission would only shift if I took my foot off of the accelerator. It was not replaced at a Volvo shop do to price. That was fixed by adjusting the kick down linkage. When I checked the fluid it was down about 1/4 on the add level. I figured that driving the car caused the change. After filling the level came back to the correct level. The next time I checked it the level it was at least twice as high as it should. I drove home prepared to drain some fluid. When I checked it the fluid did not register on the stick. The level keeps changing. If it his checked warm, fluid does not register, if checked hot it is above the fill level. The level is always checked on level ground.
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90 744ti, Airbox, K/N, Cold air, G-Valve, Dual boost control, VDO, Modified exhaust. 88 745 gle.

This may seem like a stupid statement, but make sure to pull the stick, put it back in, and then read. If you just pull it out of the tube (even if the engine is warm and you have run it through all the gears briefly) it may read dry. The reason is that there is a very good seal on the top of the dipstick tube. When driving, the fluid level is very low (low in the pan) and the dipstick tube is almost dry. Fluid doesn't get into the tube until you pull the stick. This can change depending on how hot the fluid is and how good the seal on the dipstick is, etc. It can appear as if the level is very inconsistent.

Chris I just checked the fluid again and this is what I found. With the engine running, on level ground with temperature in what would be considered a warm state. When I first pulled the stick the fluid was at the correct level. When I cleaned and re-checked the fluid did not register and on the second and third try it was at the bottom of the add mark. When I go out I will try this in a hot state.
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90 744ti, Airbox, K/N, Cold air, G-Valve, Dual boost control, VDO, Modified exhaust. 88 745 gle.

That's a wacky result. I have to say I'm honestly stumped. The variations are too weird. The transmission can move a lot of fluid, but that's a wild variation. I'd be curious about what you find.

Do you think the filter could have been installed incorrectly?
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90 744ti, Airbox, K/N, Cold air, G-Valve, Dual boost control, VDO, Modified exhaust. 88 745 gle.

Thanks Chris I read a post to this effect in the Archives and I believe that I have done this but will make sure the next time.
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90 744ti, Airbox, K/N, Cold air, G-Valve, Dual boost control, VDO, Modified exhaust. 88 745 gle.

You are checking the level with the engine running - right ?

Tranny level is ideally checked after the car has been running for awhile. Before checking the level you should also move the gear through it's entire gear-range with the engine running - spending about 10 seconds on each position.

Noel

Yes it is running.
The last time I checked it I drove it (it was already warm) for about 5 miles, pulled into the drive way, checked the level and it was way above level. I let it sit for about 15-20 minutes and rechecked and the level was below the stick. The stick is always fully inserted and on level. Most of the time it is check in the same place.
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90 744ti, Airbox, K/N, Cold air, G-Valve, Dual boost control, VDO, Modified exhaust. 88 745 gle.