Baldwin B2-HPG used as a transmission filter.

Astro14

Astro14

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I run a transmission filter on the 2002 V70XC in my signature. At 301,xxx miles, it got an oil change and transmission drain and fill. The car shifts great, by the way and the transmission is original.

The transmission fluid was HPL blue ATF - with about 15,000 miles on it. The filter had about the same. Good filter. The antidrainback valve was pliable, the can was thick, the core was metal and it had consistent pleats.

Nothing was found in the filter media. It was perfectly clean. Interestingly, the magnetic drain plug in the transmission had virtually no metal particles on it. I would expect some in a 15,000 mile run, at least a bit of that “paste” that it tends to collect, but there was virtually none. The plug looked brand new, and only when I wiped with a shop towel did the slightest hint of residue appear.

I’m very impressed with the quality and construction of this filter, and I’m very impressed with the condition of that transmission. A Baldwin B2 HPG went back on, and 4 quarts of HPL blue ATF went back in.

IMG_3279.jpeg


IMG_3280.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Astro14 said:
I run a transmission filter on the 2002 V70XC in my signature. At 301,xxx miles, it got an oil change and transmission drain and fill. The car shifts great, by the way and the transmission is original.

The transmission fluid was HPL blue ATF - with about 15,000 miles on it. The filter had about the same. Good filter. The antidrainback vale was pliable, the can was thick, the core was metal and it had consistent pleats.

Nothing was found in the filter media. It was perfectly clean. Interestingly, the magnetic drain plug in the transmission had virtually no metal particles on it. I would expect some in a 15,000 mile run, at least a bit of that “paste” that it tends to collect, but there was virtually none. The plug looked brand new, and only when I wiped with a shop towel did the slightest hint of residue appear.

I’m very impressed with the quality and construction of this filter, and I’m very impressed with the condition of that transmission. A Baldwin B2 HPG went back on, and 4 quarts of HPL blue ATF went back in.

View attachment 228122

View attachment 228123
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Wow, now that’s clean. Great
Work as always sir 👍🍻🇺🇸🇨🇦
 
Brian123 said:
What other ATF's have you used in this Vehicle?
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I have used the following, in roughly this order:
Mobil 3309
Mobil 1 (when it used to meet JWS-3309)
Toyota T-IV
AMSOIL Signature Series multi-vehicle.

The fluid was changed (cooler line exchange, pretty easy on this car) about every 30,000 miles. That is a lot, I know.

The AW55-51SN in this car was known for early failures in the 2001-2002 model years. Hence the frequent changes. We bought the car with 90,000 miles on it. At about 110,000, it started having shift problems. The Volvo dealer diagnosis, and repair estimate, in 2008, was $6300 for a new transmission.

I pulled the valve body, sent it out to a rebuilder, put it back in - the car has almost 200,000 miles since that repair and the transmission still works perfectly. The problem in those model years, was the SLT, or line pressure, solenoid. The bore in which the solenoid was fitted, would wear prematurely, allowing fluid to leak past the solenoid, and lower the line pressure in the transmission.

The repair involved re-sleeving that bore.

About the time that I did the valve body job, the car got an external transmission oil cooler. Keeping the fluid cool would help keep the viscosity high, and mitigate some of the malfunctions. A few years later, that set up was upgraded to include a better transmission cooler, thermostat, and external filter.

Here it is with the bumper cover removed. The fluid goes from transmission, to the radiator loop, to the thermostat. If it’s 180 or greater, it’s routed to the cooler. Regardless of cooler flow, it goes through the filter and back to the transmission.

So, if it’s quite cold out, the fluid gets warmed by the coolant. If it’s hot out, the fluid temperature drops a bit below the coolant temperature. I would’ve preferred something closer to 160° thermostat, but I wasn’t able to find one. This Derale one is designed for an oil cooler, close enough. You can see the Baldwin filter.

IMG_1337.webp
 
same way i have both accord routed minus the thermostat, luckily in houston it isn’t really required. super clean work. what is the bypass on that baldwin?
 
BrendanC said:
same way i have both accord routed minus the thermostat, luckily in houston it isn’t really required. super clean work. what is the bypass on that baldwin?
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I believe that it is 8 PSI.

Because of that bypass, and the quality of construction, I have used them on all the Volvos with transmission filters - which are the 4 you see in my signature, less the R, which is a six speed manual.

I think I came across Baldwin in my search for a filter with a built-in bypass, previously, it had been a Fram PH-8A, or a K&N of similar size. Maybe a 2005? Can't remember, and my notes aren't with me.
 
Can u post the part number used? Have u considered using a Donaldson synthetic oil filter with 17 micron filtration?
 
Patrick0525 said:
Not sure on the model #.
The filtration is rated at 17 microns. These are engine oil filters.
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I’ve searched. I can’t find a Donaldson that works.

This filter did great. It has great numbers. 9.8 microns. A bypass number I liked for cold hydraulic fluid.

You’re suggesting I should change to Donaldson, an oil filter, on the basis of a micron rating that I’m not certain is any better.

I’m unconvinced.
 
Astro14 said:
I’ve searched. I can’t find a Donaldson that works.

This filter did great. It has great numbers. 9.8 microns. A bypass number I liked for cold hydraulic fluid.

You’re suggesting I should change to Donaldson, an oil filter, on the basis of a micron rating that I’m not certain is any better.

I’m unconvinced.
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The HPG model is very high performing filter media, it is NOT cellulose like most Baldwins. Unless Donaldson made their Synteq or Blue filter lines in a compatible size it’s not even worth looking at them IMO.
 
SubieRubyRoo said:
The HPG model is very high performing filter media, it is NOT cellulose like most Baldwins. Unless Donaldson made their Synteq or Blue filter lines in a compatible size it’s not even worth looking at them IMO.
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Thanks - that’s kind of how I see it.

I found a really good solution, I like it, so, searching for “better” isn’t worth it.

And I bought three more to have on hand. They’re wrapped in plastic, so I will keep them on a shelf.

They are currently installed on the 2002 V70XC, and the 2004 XC-90. The 2002 V70T5 will be back in Virginia next year, and get one then (it’s due), so, having a couple on hand makes sense.
 
@Astro14

I believe this is the Donaldson @Patrick0525 was referring to:

https://shop.donaldson.com/store/en-us/product/P169071/16389

It's a PH8A replacement I considered for use on my Bronco but was eliminated due to lack of ADBV. 10psi bypass setting and 99% @ 22 micron rating. I'm generally a fan of Donaldson synteq media as it saved me a ton of work switching to their filters at a combustion turbine plant I used to operate.

That said, the Baldwin you're using is a great filter & I see no reason to change.
 
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