High mileage XC90
Discussion
119 said:
Limpet said:
The flush significantly improved it but didn’t fix it. Due to a cock up with the oil supplier I ended up getting another 20 L for next to nothing which is still in the garage. I’ll probably do it again when I service it. Still have the hose i made up to attach to the oil cooler outlet handy 
I’m tempted to chuck a replacement valve body on it if that doesn’t cure it which can be done without removing the gearbox. Apparently, sticking solenoids and worn bores are the cause of the vast majority of issues on these gearboxes.
Main shaft oil seal can also be an issue.I’m tempted to chuck a replacement valve body on it if that doesn’t cure it which can be done without removing the gearbox. Apparently, sticking solenoids and worn bores are the cause of the vast majority of issues on these gearboxes.
It’s a shame as these engines are great except for the s
tty Chinese gearbox bolted to it.There are loads of posts on various Volvo forums about repairing or replacing the valve bodies.
Some get away with a few flushes and adaptations reset, but the latter can be quite a challenge to do.
These 6 speed Aisin boxes were used by lots of manufacturers and it only really seems to be in the Volvos that they have a poor reputation.
In the case of the XC90, I suspect it's a combination of lots of factors. The 'box is within 30Nm of its torque capacity on this engine, the car weighs 2.2 tonnes and has AWD. Combine that with Volvo insisting the box doesn't need any form of servicing, and I suspect this is why they struggle. Also the filter is buried inside of the transmission rather than in the pan where it can be changed easily like on a ZF box, so prolonged filthy oil and an impractical to replace filter is also likely to cause problems.
Toyota, and many other manufacturers who use these boxes stipulate a visual check of the oil condition, and replacement if necessary at around the 60,000 mile mark. Volvo say that unless you're towing regularly, it doesn't need any attention at all.
In the case of the XC90, I suspect it's a combination of lots of factors. The 'box is within 30Nm of its torque capacity on this engine, the car weighs 2.2 tonnes and has AWD. Combine that with Volvo insisting the box doesn't need any form of servicing, and I suspect this is why they struggle. Also the filter is buried inside of the transmission rather than in the pan where it can be changed easily like on a ZF box, so prolonged filthy oil and an impractical to replace filter is also likely to cause problems.
Toyota, and many other manufacturers who use these boxes stipulate a visual check of the oil condition, and replacement if necessary at around the 60,000 mile mark. Volvo say that unless you're towing regularly, it doesn't need any attention at all.
The least scary service message popped up on the display last week
Shopped around, and as per usual, Volvo service parts worked out just as cheap as aftermarket stuff. Genuine Volvo oil, air and diesel filters, and 6 litres of the factory fill Volvo 0W/30 ACEA A5-B5 synthetic brew, plus a new sump drain washer for £130 delivered as a "service kit" from a Volvo specialist on eBay.
Volvo seem to go out of their way to make routine servicing as quick and painless as possible. Engine cover just pulls off. Air filter can be slid in and out after pulling off the cover, removing the easily accessible T25 Torx screws on the airbox lid and lifting it slightly (no need to disconnect the MAF or intake trunking, or disturb the ECM bolted to the lid). Oil filter is a replaceable element type in a housing right at the front of the engine with nothing in the way. Diesel filter is just ahead of the offside rear wheel, again with nothing in the way (you only need to put your head under the car). Undo the drain screw and empty the housing of fuel any trapped water, unscrew the housing, pull the old filter off, push the new one in, change the O-ring on the housing (supplied with the new filter), and screw it back on. Key on for 5 seconds or so a few times, you hear the electric lift pump whine and the fuel gurgling as it fills the new filter and primes the system, and you're good.
I used VIDA to reset the service warning, and also reset the oil level sensor after adding the correct 6 litres of oil. While I was in there, I also did a quick scan for fault codes. The ever present (and near universal) code for a borked interior air quality sensor was there, but this was also joined by a new one ECM-2A50 which VIDA told me is occurring intermittently (ie not on every operation cycle), and suggests the DPF pressure sensor its wiring needs some attention. The car is running fine and there are no warning lights on, but I will look into this next weekend. There is a method of testing these sensors, and replacement isn't difficult or expensive assuming you can avoid the fake "Bosch" stuff on eBay.
Thanks for reading. A few pics for anyone interested.
Shopped around, and as per usual, Volvo service parts worked out just as cheap as aftermarket stuff. Genuine Volvo oil, air and diesel filters, and 6 litres of the factory fill Volvo 0W/30 ACEA A5-B5 synthetic brew, plus a new sump drain washer for £130 delivered as a "service kit" from a Volvo specialist on eBay.
Volvo seem to go out of their way to make routine servicing as quick and painless as possible. Engine cover just pulls off. Air filter can be slid in and out after pulling off the cover, removing the easily accessible T25 Torx screws on the airbox lid and lifting it slightly (no need to disconnect the MAF or intake trunking, or disturb the ECM bolted to the lid). Oil filter is a replaceable element type in a housing right at the front of the engine with nothing in the way. Diesel filter is just ahead of the offside rear wheel, again with nothing in the way (you only need to put your head under the car). Undo the drain screw and empty the housing of fuel any trapped water, unscrew the housing, pull the old filter off, push the new one in, change the O-ring on the housing (supplied with the new filter), and screw it back on. Key on for 5 seconds or so a few times, you hear the electric lift pump whine and the fuel gurgling as it fills the new filter and primes the system, and you're good.
I used VIDA to reset the service warning, and also reset the oil level sensor after adding the correct 6 litres of oil. While I was in there, I also did a quick scan for fault codes. The ever present (and near universal) code for a borked interior air quality sensor was there, but this was also joined by a new one ECM-2A50 which VIDA told me is occurring intermittently (ie not on every operation cycle), and suggests the DPF pressure sensor its wiring needs some attention. The car is running fine and there are no warning lights on, but I will look into this next weekend. There is a method of testing these sensors, and replacement isn't difficult or expensive assuming you can avoid the fake "Bosch" stuff on eBay.
Thanks for reading. A few pics for anyone interested.
They are just great cars.
We have had 2 and both were very reliable with only the usual stuff needing looking at (suspension and brakes).
We towed a 1500kgs caravan with both and it was a great tow car.
Yes, the auto box is very slow when setting off which can be alarming if you're going for a gap
Both of ours were in the highest tax bracket being 06 and 07 reg cars.
With 3 kids they were perfect and the split rear tailgate was great for sitting having some food after a days mountain biking or walking.
I'm also a huge fan of the XC70 and, with only 1 kid left at home, would be a perfect "down scaled" XC90 to own.
Our present family car (X1) has been so good however I'm going to need to be at my "man maths" best to persuade the wife to change
We have had 2 and both were very reliable with only the usual stuff needing looking at (suspension and brakes).
We towed a 1500kgs caravan with both and it was a great tow car.
Yes, the auto box is very slow when setting off which can be alarming if you're going for a gap
Both of ours were in the highest tax bracket being 06 and 07 reg cars.
With 3 kids they were perfect and the split rear tailgate was great for sitting having some food after a days mountain biking or walking.
I'm also a huge fan of the XC70 and, with only 1 kid left at home, would be a perfect "down scaled" XC90 to own.
Our present family car (X1) has been so good however I'm going to need to be at my "man maths" best to persuade the wife to change
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