I performed the automatic transmission flush & refill method (described in threads here and in the IPD flush kit instructions) on my 1995 850 non-turbo wagon with 160k miles. The old fluid was pretty dark even though it looked ok on the dipstick. I used a can of BG Quick Clean and almost 16 quarts of the Mobil 1 synthetic fluid before the fluid looked really clean pouring out of the top cooler line. (At nearly $8 a quart it sure wasn't cheap!) After it was all clean and back together I took it for an easy drive...

As I pulled into a driveway apron at a pizza place my plastic bumper scraped the ground pretty hard, I went in got my pizza. As I returned to the car I noticed the smell of ATF (it has that unmistakable smell, eh?) I figured it was the smear/residue under the hood. As I pulled down the street I looked back at the parking space I just left I saw a large bloody puddle and a streak following the path I took out of there... (Oh-no!) Oh, yes... I was roughly 300 yards away from an auto store and I used my momentum to get to the parking lot of the Advance Auto Parts store. (spewing fluid all the way) My lower hose clamp failed and was gone and the hose was loose! I hadn't touched the lower line, I guess it was just a frikken coincidence and the bump on the curb knocked it loose.?!!??%^$#@ And about $120 in fluid all over the street, and... i was "that guy" fixing his car in the store parking lot! cripes!

Anyhow... to my question.

The store was out of Mobil 1 and in my haste I refilled the tranny with ATF, not the Mercon fluid my manual recommends. It is nearly a week later and I have just NOW realized (while taking out the trash/recyclables) that I refilled with the wrong fluid. Any guesses or advice on what I may have done to my tranny?

-woodsytf
95 850 wagon 160k

I'm glad you refilled the tranny with ATF because that simply stands for Automatic Transmission Fluid - nothing more nothing less. You obviously didn't fill it with Mobil 1 or Mercon (Ford), so I assume you filled it with Dexron (GM), which should be O.K if it is at least Dexron 3.

It is anybody's guess just what you may have done to your auto tranny, but common sense tells me you have probably done nothing major - but then again I could be completely wrong and you may have caused serious damage.

The only advice I can offer you is to drive your vehicle around for a while and ascertain if the auto tranny is working as you would expect it too. That will give you some idea if it is playing up or not.

I've had a similar experience, coming out of a shopping-mall ramp at speed, and knocked the same thang and scraped by radiator bottom as well (ARGH!) . (How come they made it look SO easy in Lethal Weapon?)

Assuming your ATF is of the right specs (i cant remember if tis Dexron III or Dexron IV), just monitor the hose and look for leakages.

to be sure, you can always just drain and refill with your tranny fluid of choice. i know that it will be expensive, but at least you will know that it has been changed to the correct fluid. i wonder how hot it would get under there if i installed a titanium plate to protect the bottom. of course, i would need to find a titanium plate and then figure out how to drill holes to mount it. at least i would be safe in knowing if a comet were to crash in to my 850, the only thing i wouldn't need to replace would be that plate. :grin:

Greek, IPD sells the aluminium version of the splash guard. I got mine from the scrapyard long ago.

aluminum? i can drink enough beers and make my own by smelting the aluminum down. :beer: hic-

Hehe. Cheers, bro.
:)

i flushed and refilled the transmission (the ATF4 fluid came out cloudy and brown after only 300 miles) and once the proper mercon atf was back in it the shifting improved and lockup in 3rd and 4th seemed better. shifting from 1st to 2nd is a little stiff but it doesn't seem to be slipping. i took the 850 on a 600 mile trip last weekend and had no problems and got about 29MPG. so... i'm keeping my fingers crossed but i think the tranny may live for a while.

Your not suppose to use regular transmission fluid. Only VOLVO tranny fluid. Its different. It is almost like that of motor oil. This is a statement from a mechanic at a licensed volvo dealer. These are not my words so if im wrong please dont disown me lol :P

:blush: Whats so different..????Think that "Mechanic: has stock in the dealership;
Would really like to hear his answer..PS Your not disowned...

I too, USED to believe that you should just use VOLVO parts for the VOLVO car AT ALL TIMES.

Nowadays, i know that SOME things you can opt for BETTER and CHEAPER alternatives. But thats prolly because of the lousy pricing strategy of Volvo parts and cars in my country.
:)

For instance, i have stopped using VOLVO's ATF, and have instead used TOYOTA's ATF. My buddies and friends have used 76, Mobil, Shell etc, without much problems. Just so long as its Dexron III standard...
And oh, we flush, like every year.
:)

Flushed with success!
:grin: :grin: :grin:

Hehe, thanks.

i appreciate not getting disowned :grin:

wait, the bear flushes once a year? oh the tranny, hahahahah. sleep, must get sleep :grin: oh, and jesse, you'll need more than that to get disowned. look at me, still at it :57:

You're working TOO hard, bro. You MUST be up to something...
Hmmm...