Volvo: Volvo 240 Rebuild Transmission ?, volvo dealer, volvo 240

Question
Dear Ray.

I love my 1990 240, it has 135,000 miles and I have had regular service and repairs at local Dealer for 15 years.  Driving a hilly freeway, car started to sound like it was stuck in a too low gear and felt like it was going to lose power, then gain, lose, then gain, a kind of surging.  I was out of town and found a local Volvo Dealer.  They replaced the Tac Sensor, Air Filter, Fuel Filter, performed Intake Service and Adjusted the Kick Down Cable.  After I picked it up, it felt like it was in first gear for a long time before it went to 2nd.  I took it back and the Mechanic drove it with me, when it happened, he said the transmission was going.  When I got home, I took it to my guys at my Dealer, I told them what happened, they said they performed a test and found an internal fault and I should replace Transmission.   Why did the first guy not find a transmission problem when I paid for all those other repairs if a test could show it ?  What should a transmission cost me and should I do it at this age ?  I have taken good care of my car, did everything by the book, and don't understand why my transmission would go.  Could it be something else ?  

Answer
Cody,
I do not know why the first shop did not find the trans to be bad, possibly a lack of communication service writer to the tech.
A reman trans from a Volvo dealer is probably the best way to go if your plan is to keep the car. That will run about $1000.00. You could save a few dollars if your going to sell the car and get a used trans. The fastest way may be to have your trans rebuilt at a trans shop. If I were going to keep the car and use it as daily driver I would go with the reman. If the trans will come out for any repair have the rear main engine seal replaced also.