peteK
Well-known member
Let us know the eventual outcome.
Not much further forward. The engine is MD2030-D and it is fitted with an unmarked gearbox (picture attached). The engine instruction book says this is an MS10L or MS10A. The book says it needs 0.35 litres of SAE 15W/40. I put ATF in on the advice of the Volvo mechanic. Should I go back to the oil?Make/model of gearbox would be useful.
Have you changed the oil in the transmission ?
Is it filled with the correct oil ?
Not much further forward. The engine is MD2030-D and it is fitted with an unmarked gearbox (picture attached). The engine instruction book says this is an MS10L or MS10A. The book says it needs 0.35 litres of SAE 15W/40. I put ATF in on the advice of the Volvo mechanic. Should I go back to the oil?
Not much further forward. The engine is MD2030-D and it is fitted with an unmarked gearbox (picture attached). The engine instruction book says this is an MS10L or MS10A. The book says it needs 0.35 litres of SAE 15W/40. I put ATF in on the advice of the Volvo mechanic. Should I go back to the oil?
There was a delay very occasionally, but this is now every time.Was the fault present before you changed to ATF ?
There was a delay very occasionally, but this is now every time.
Update on my "lazy gearbox". I noticed there are two locations to make the connection between the control cable and the lever arm on the gearbox. My cable was attached to the higher of the two, so I switched it to the lower, making the lever travel further with the same movement of the control cable. Result: no difference with moving into forward, still the delay and a need to dethrottle and wait before engagement. However moving into reverse, the gear engages instantly. So half the problem solved. Next I will probably replace the ATF with SAE 15W/40.
Well that sounds pretty definitive, thank you. I'm going to try that but can't understand how such an apparently slight difference in lubrication method can so drastically alter performance (nor why a Volvo engineer recommending ATF would not know that!)I had a problem with the same model of gearbox being slow to engage forward at least ten years ago. The fault developed a couple of years from being new. I changed the recommended atf oil for SAE 40 Diesel engine oil, the cure was immediate and I have had no further issues. The gearbox has since done at least 1200 hours, mostly on charter.
Then your first job should be to revert back to the original oil. Volvo specify:
Oil grade ................................................................... CD SAE 15W/40* CD SAE 15W/40*
ATF (Dexron II, III)* ATF (Dexron II, III)*
But note:
* WARNING! Never mix oil qualities when topping up, the same oil quality must be used that already is
filled in the reverse gear.
You will now have a mix of both oils in the gearbox. I would fill it with SAE 15w/40 and run it for 10 mins, drain and refill, twice. See how it works then.
Other comments about checking the cable is working correctly etc are still very valid, but i'd definitely do the oil first.
Be interested to hear how you get on.Will try 15/40 as have had the same problem,goes in to reverse ok but not forward all the time.