740 / 760

1982-1992 / Sedan / Estate / Sweden

All 740 / 760 problems All workshop issues

Critical Transmission and Drivetrain

AW71/AW72 Automatic Transmission Slipping or Delayed Engagement

Symptoms

Flare on the 1-2 or 2-3 shift (engine revs but no acceleration), delayed engagement into Drive or Reverse, harsh shifts.

Cause

Volvo claimed "lifetime" transmission fluid, which is nonsense. After 100,000 miles the fluid is cooked and clutches start slipping.

Fix

Change the transmission fluid.

Drain and refill at the pan (around 4 litres), or better yet, drop the pan and replace the filter.

Use Dexron III or Volvo-approved ATF.

Do NOT flush it if it's never been changed, you'll dislodge crud and block the valve body.

If it's already slipping badly, a rebuild is £1000-2000.

Know something we don't?

Owned a Volvo 740 / 760? Share your experience with this issue. What worked, what didn't, costs, tips. Help the community.

Submit an update

// More 740 / 760 problems

Other known issues

Minor Transmission and Drivetrain

Manual Transmission Shift Linkage Wear

Sloppy, vague shifts, hard to find gears, grinding when cold.

Common Transmission and Drivetrain

Propshaft Centre Bearing (Carrier Bearing) Failure

Vibration at speed (especially 50-70 mph), clunking under acceleration, sometimes a droning noise.

Critical Engine

Oil Leaks from Cam Seals and Valve Cover Gasket

Oil puddles under the front of the engine, sometimes dripping onto the exhaust manifold and smoking. The valve cover gasket weeps oil down the side of the block.

Critical Engine

Timing Belt Failure

The engine dies instantly, often with a loud slap or clatter. Won't restart. If you're lucky, it just stops; if you're unlucky, bent valves and a destroyed head.

Common Engine

Flame Trap Clogging (PCV System)

Rough idle, oil leaks from every seal, oil in the intake tract, sometimes a whistling noise from the crankcase breather.

Critical Engine

Oil Consumption (Turbo Models)

Blue smoke on startup or under boost. Oil level drops a quart every 500-1000 miles.

View all 27 740 / 760 problems