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  1. #1
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    Is geartronic reliable

    Does anyone have anything good to say about geartronics! I'm asking as i have to have an auto, but all the things i'v read about them seem to be bad, although some people seem to think most of the probs can be sorted by a gearbox flush and software update, are most of the probs this simple to sort or much worse. What are peoples experience's?

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    If I'm being honest I would prefer a manual because I'm more in control. However, I do a lot of driving on the motorway, and sometimes I don't want to drive at warp 9, so the lazy part of me loves the geartronic.

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    Quote Originally Posted by MattM View Post
    If I'm being honest I would prefer a manual because I'm more in control. However, I do a lot of driving on the motorway, and sometimes I don't want to drive at warp 9, so the lazy part of me loves the geartronic.
    Which model do you drive, has yours been reliable?

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    My mate has had 2 V70 T5's with Gaytronic and both have went wrong.

    He couldnt get hold of another gearbox for either so sold them on at a BIG LOSS

    Now he sticks to Manuals


    1998 C70 T5 GT Auto, 68k, FVSH, Immaculate inside and out, only mod - poly top mount, its Yellow and no pete i didnt paint it, lol

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    Mine has been fine after the software update and flush I did within three months of ownership. That was nearly 30,000 miles ago, almost 2 years. No problems at all, and I'm now upto 102,000 miles.

    By the very nature of these forums, you'll find more complaining of problems than singing praises since that's what folk come here for - solutions to their issues.
    Chris
    2010 Alfa Romeo 159 JTDm
    2001 V70 T5 SE (RICA 310)
    1997 9000 Aero (Abbotted)


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    Quote Originally Posted by LiamT4 View Post
    Which model do you drive, has yours been reliable?
    S60 T5 2002. It has a few issues, but I believe a flush is all that's needed.

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    LiamT4 (Wednesday 20th January 2010)

  9. #7
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    I had the Geartronic Box go in my V70 T5 and it took me an age to get a replacement. I was quoted £1900 for a recon box.

    I eventually got hold of a box and had it fitted for £1200 so it was some what cheaper than a recon.

    Since the change over it has been fine, but then the first box was fine until it died

    The replacement has done 60k so it should be good for another 60k at least.

    I'm sure that if you treat the box right, give it a good flushing and replace the fluid it should be fine.
    “If people let the government decide what foods they eat and what medicines they take, their bodies will soon be in as sorry a state as the souls who live under tyranny.” Thomas Jefferson (1778)

    Did you know the EU says that you can't claim that drinking water prevents dehydration. So now you know for sure what many of have known for years that the EU is run by a bunch of nutters.

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    V70 T5 Geartronic

    I ran Volvo Estates in my business for years the first problems came with the early Phase II cars is my experience, the lessons I learned were 1. dont trust a full Volvo History as soon as you get the car get it checked by someone you trust (I have a very good Independant Volvo Specialist) 2. Flush the box straight away dont wait for problems (I flush ours at 40,000 intervals) We had a 2000 V70 T5 Auto Geartronic until 2008 when I sold the business it had 237000 miles on the clock a 310 Rica upgrade and apart from general wear and tear it was totaly reliable (the engineer that drove it took it with him he loves it)
    Currently I have 3 Volvo's all V70 T5 Auto's all have upgrades (2 Rica 1 BSR)
    Only one has shown signs of issue with the box (again a 2000 MY) the box was flushed last year as it was flaring between 2/3 changes the B4 solonoid was updated (about £15 from Volvo they call it a piston kit) Then off to the dealer for the fluid counter reset and software upgrade (you do have to use them for some things) the car has now covered 127000 with no problems in the last year.
    So these boxes are very robust in my experience, but they do need to be maintained. Prevention is better than cure.
    Dave

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    How much did you pay for the flush mds?

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    Geartronic

    Hi Matt
    I do it myself it takes about 45mins maybe an hour if I have coffee the ATF I use now is Carlube ATF-U fully compliant to JWS3309 (even quotes the Volvo part number on the bottle) the current price for 12 litres is £7.71 p/litre delivered (just about to do my 03 car next week) so ATF £92.50 then about £50 at the dealer for fluid counter reset and check for any upgrades to software. There are no issues with the car other than a hesitation between R & D when cold this is just maintenance.
    If you were closer I would be happy to give you a hand.

    Dave

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    Dave where do you buy this ATF? I think I will attempt it. I've had the software update done already. How much do Volvo charge to have the fluid counter reset?

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    Atf-u

    Morning Matt
    I just ordered through EuroCar Parts Web Site £7.71 a litre delivered to my door. You need to make sure its the ATF-U that you order you can see the spec on line then order online or over the phone.
    If you have had the software updated the fluid counter is not essential (it counts starts and times the fluid reaches temperature I believe and then lights up the Trans Service Light) when you had te software did Volvo do anything else?
    I think from memory the last one was about £11 but that was nearly 2 years ago.
    Dave

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    All they did was update the TCM software and do a ATF oil change (which I found out later to be a waste of time). I saw the guide you posted on from another forum - is it just a case of following that? Any tips you can share?
    Last edited by MattM; Friday 22nd January 2010 at 14:30.

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    Main issue always seems to be lack of maintenance (usually the culprit in all gearbox fails) which really just means that if you get one, check what has been done & then asess what you think will need doing.

    TBH my box is showing sings of either the B4 or the softwear issue. It's ex plod & has 83K on the clock.

    After I had a flush & refil of the box this became more pronnounced, but the power has improved with the flush, so it's a catch 22.

    Get the lot checked & sorted in week one of getting it... change the oil once a year (tbh the service interval is something like 30K but treating it to new fluids once a year can remedy lots of high cost issues or catch them early)

    Just remember that Volvo charge IIRC £75 for a 4ltr bottle of ATF. I felt this was der, but using the real deal just covers you if it goes bad on a warranty.

    HTH


    You think I know **** nothing! But let me tell you I know **** all!

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    Auto Gearbox

    Hi Matt
    Yes just follow the post it really is that simple, before you disconnect the oil cooler pipe (green clip) put some rag under it there will be some spillage, not very much maybe half a cup full max but it makes a mess without the rag (learned that one the hard way) the rest is really straight forward.

    With maintenance and Service Histories again hard won experience says, Trust nothing.
    A full History tells you they found no faults at the last service, thats all.
    So a dealer reads the codes "non found" does what the schedule tells them (or should do) and thats it.
    Therefore I have been in the practice of changing oil and filters at 5000 mile intervals and flushing the gearboxes at 40000 miles while giving the car a good visual check over regular service like cam belt etc is done at a dealer until warrant expires then we have an excellent Independant who carries on.
    That way I know its good and if any thing crops up, well sometimes S**T happens.
    Mostly its good and the cars are very reliable and great fun to drive.
    Good Luck
    Dave

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    Thanks Dave. It's a shame the guide doesn't go into more detail. I've never looked at my gearbox before so I have no idea where things are.

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    Auto Box Flush

    OK Matt
    I will see if I can help mine is a V70 T5 but I think under the bonnet they are the same.
    I have taken some pictures that may help, 5 of the under bonnet and 3 of the sofisticated kit required to do the job.
    With the bonnet open look at the nearside front there is a plastic air intake pipe that goes from above the radiator to the main air filter box. It just unclips rad end first then from the Air Filter Box.
    Now you will have more room. On top of the gearbox you will see a main water hose to the bottom (My hand is on it) of the radiator it rests in a plastic guide you can lift it over to the nearside (towards the wheel) below it at the front of the gearbox is the Bright Yellow Dipstick/Filler. Remove it and put in the funnel for topping up (mines from Halfords)
    Next put some rag under the pipe with the green clip that goes into the Radiator, press in the green clips and pull out the pipe. You will as I say get some fluid in the rag but not much tie the pipe with the green clip out of the way. Next the 15mm clear hose about 1mtr long put some ptfe tape or other tape around the tube and push it into the opening the green pipe came from.

    Drape the 15mm hose over the front of the car and into the 3ltr bottle (mine is marked at 2ltrs with a marker pen.

    Start the engine and watch the bottle fill, when it reaches 2ltrs turn off and put 2 ltrs of new ATF in through the funnel. The stuff in the 3ltr bottle I pour into the empty ATF containers. Repeat until the stuff in the pipe is coming through red, keep 1 ltr back for topping up (even if its not really clean and red after pushing 10 or 11 litrs through it will be 100% better than it was) Take out the clear pipe, reconnect the green pipe and wipe any oil away so the area is clean remove the funnel and start the engine.
    Check there are no leaks then move the gear lever through all positions a couple of times then check the level with the ATF Dipstick top up carefully if needed. Put everything back, close the bonnet job done. NOTE> ATF is checked with the engine running gearlever in P

    If your dealer already did a drain and fill then he will/should have reset the fluid counter so that I wouldnt worry about.
    You can see by the way they hide the ATF Dip Stick they dont want people to do it them selves I bet most owners dont know they have one.

    Pictures are 647 Air Intake Pipe, 648 air Intake removed, 649 The Oil Cooler Pipe to remove 2 Green clips squeeze and pull, 650 The water pipe to move over. 651 The ATF Dip Stick hidden at the front of the box. 652 long funnel from Halfords 653 15mm hose with tape. 654 3 ltr Plastic Squash bottle
    Last edited by mds; Friday 22nd January 2010 at 17:50.

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  26. #18
    Beer Baron
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    Cheers for all the info on this issue. When i get a car i'll be having the gearbox flushed and the software updated as soon as i can afford it. Prob have to take it to a main dealer though, as my nearest independant doesn't allways have the latest software, etc (but very good at the mechanical side/problem solving).

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    Geartronic

    Hi Liam
    What ever the Volvo if it has a Full Dealer History any Volvo Dealer can call it up they just need the reg number normally, some will do it for you before you buy the car even if its not from them (our Doves will)
    This will let you know not only the history but what recalls or upgrades have been carried out.
    With regard to the history like I say that only tells you it was OK then? Remember on a low milage car that may have been a year ago? A lot can happen in a year. Give the car a really good test drive traffic and motorway if your happy and buy it.
    Good practice for me would be as soon as I get the car change the oil and filters, flush the box (particuarly the early geartronics) If the history is partial (if the service book is stamped phone the garage and ask what they did an oil change isnt a service) then I would get the Cam Belt changed as a precaution then I feel comfortable in the knowledge that we are starting from a reasonable position.
    Good Luck
    Dave

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  29. #20
    Beer Baron
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    Quote Originally Posted by mds View Post
    Hi Liam
    What ever the Volvo if it has a Full Dealer History any Volvo Dealer can call it up they just need the reg number normally, some will do it for you before you buy the car even if its not from them (our Doves will)
    This will let you know not only the history but what recalls or upgrades have been carried out.
    With regard to the history like I say that only tells you it was OK then? Remember on a low milage car that may have been a year ago? A lot can happen in a year. Give the car a really good test drive traffic and motorway if your happy and buy it.
    Good practice for me would be as soon as I get the car change the oil and filters, flush the box (particuarly the early geartronics) If the history is partial (if the service book is stamped phone the garage and ask what they did an oil change isnt a service) then I would get the Cam Belt changed as a precaution then I feel comfortable in the knowledge that we are starting from a reasonable position.
    Good Luck
    Dave
    Cheers. Should be goin to look at some nxt wknd. Seen a nice black 1 on pistonheads (2002, £3500, private, not much info though) and a silver 1 on autotrader (2002, £3600, trader). Sorry don't know how to do links yet I'll be trying to get some £ off so i can get the box flushed asap (£3500 is my limit, need as much money as poss for the insurance!), i'd hope that they both would have had the cam belt done, if not, more £ off. Cheers again for info v much appriciated


 

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