Hi there, I posted in Smax but no response so thought i would try on here! I have a 66 plate SMax Titatanium sport turbo petrol automatic which has just hit 40,000 miles.  I have recently felt the car is a little more shaky through the seat both when accelerating and braking.  It is up to date in terms of its annual service but I was led to believe by my local ford dealer that the gearbox needs a service at 40,000.  I rang another ford dealer who said they could do the work cheaper but when they looked at the car they said model doesn't have a filter so it cant be done.  As I had conflicting advice I rang a gearbox specialist who said he can change the oil on the external filter but that he wouldn't bother as the transmission is notoriously bad on these models and therefore an oil change wouldn't likely have any impact on whether it fails sooner rather than later (and he predicter sooner and advised I get rid of the car!)  Apparently it can be between 2 and 4K when the gearbox goes.

I am wondering whether or not anyone knows whether there are gearbox issues with this model as I am trying to ascertain whether to sell now whilst it is still working, or whether to get the oil changed or do nothing at all!  I know very little about cars so if anyone can offer any advice it would be much appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

1 hour ago, alisonfarrellyahoo. said:

I am wondering whether or not anyone knows whether there are gearbox issues with this model as I am trying to ascertain whether to sell now whilst it is still working, or whether to get the oil changed or do nothing at all!

There are always issues with gearboxes of all type and on all models. Some seem to have more issues than others hence the statement by the gearbox specialist garage. If the car is in general good condition and you are happy with it then I'd spend the money and get the transmission serviced. If then after a few weeks things seem no better then you may consider selling it on, and you can even advertise that the gearbox has just had a service.

You can check the fluid yourself via the dipstick, colour, smell. Should be cherry red with NO smell of burning, alleged sealed for life stuff is usually always fixable just a matter of finding the right person.

Alison, only just seen your post.

Non of the information anyone has given you is of any use whatsoever as none of them have substantiated what transmission is in your vehicle.

Your veh is "on the change point" for types of transmissions - until what trans you have in it is identified the comments are all "opinions" not facts.

If you want to send me a PM with your reg number and VIN number I will obtain a build list from Ford's ETIS site and then advise what trans is in your veh and therefore which is the best way forward 

48 minutes ago, TrevorB said:

Alison, only just seen your post.

Non of the information anyone has given you is of any use whatsoever as none of them have substantiated what transmission is in your vehicle.

Your veh is "on the change point" for types of transmissions - until what trans you have in it is identified the comments are all "opinions" not facts.

If you want to send me a PM with your reg number and VIN number I will obtain a build list from Ford's ETIS site and then advise what trans is in your veh and therefore which is the best way forward 

Hi Trevor,

Thank you so much, that is really kind of you, I will send this over.

Thanks again, Alison

2 hours ago, TrevorB said:

Non of the information anyone has given you is of any use whatsoever as none of them have substantiated what transmission is in your vehicle.

Sometimes I read replies like yours and just let them go by without comment. On this occasion I feel that I must reply to your exceptionally rude and belittling rant.

2 hours ago, TrevorB said:

Your veh is "on the change point" for types of transmissions - until what trans you have in it is identified the comments are all "opinions" not facts.

I made no comment on which gearbox she may or may not have. The statement was a simple FACT that if she is happy with her car in all other ways then she should look at getting the gearbox serviced and see how things progressed from there.

Obviously with your vastly superior knowledge to EVERYONE who has replied (That would be two of us) you will be able to give 100% absolute and unequivocal advice on the exact course of action that Alison should take.

 

 

Hi Unofix, my sincere apologies if I Have offended you. I had no expectation of anyone being offended.

Alison asked a question about the transmission in her veh and, as I pictured it, the only way to give a correct answer was, in the first instance, to find out what trans was in the vehicle - as I saw it, it was the only way her question could be correctly answered.

Alison has been advised that her veh does NOT have the Getrag Powershift 6DCT wet clutch trans - her vehicle has the normal torque converter type trans known as the 6F35 mid range designed and manufactured by Ford USA. Officially no servicing is required.

BTW, the word superior does not exist in my dictionary/vocabulary, hate it. Once again Unofix, my apologies

Officially no servicing is required. yet again carefully chosen words, they can be and are serviced. you also slated my reply yet i dont warrant an apology, tho its a moot point now. Unless you are a transmission specialist i suggest you leave the topc, am no specialist but have been driving and repairing as and when needed the last 40+ years.

They are very different gearboxes. It sounds as though you now know which gearbox you have, so you can get informed advice and make appropriate decisions.

So.

We had a debate on another thread, the other day, about 6F35 and here we are. So I rest my case.

But:

Alison, if the transmission is clunky, first of all, go to a Ford dealer and get them to update the software in the PCM and (if fitted) the TCM, but I believe PCM/TCM is combined on these like on my 6F15.

Then ask them to reset the transmission adaptive shift learning and perform a relearn drive cycle with you.

Also, confirm that the throttle body is working OK because a dodgy throttle body caused lots of shift issues (PCM update will also improve throttle body response)

This will cost you a few hours labour but I strongly recommend you do it!

Regarding the fluid change:

The fluid in this transmission is supposedly sealed for life, but our friends over the pond (where 6F35 is fitted to about 80% of Ford cars in service) advise changing the fluid every 40,000 miles.

The fluid WILL be brown, this is common with 6F35

You cannot change the filter easily on 6F35 as it's inside the transmission, you have to split the case to get to it, so it's vitally important that the fluid is kept clean so as to not clog the filter, then the solenoids.

There is a drain plug on the bottom of the casing, which needs thread sealer when re-fitting to prevent leaks and the level plug is on the LHS obtainable though the LH wheel arch, with the wheel off.

Order 5 litres of MERCON LV fluid and get a reputable garage to change it for you.

Drain out, fill and check, lots of videos on youtube, search 6F35 fluid change.

A lot of our Federal friends also find fitting a tube of LUBEGARD TRANSMISSION FIXX also helps with the clunking and banging, which is basically the torque converter not letting go quickly enough.

I doubt very much the transmission is about to die, if it was you would start loosing gears

Personally I also wouldn't follow Fords sealed for life route on the 6F35 range, but change what oil will drain from the trans by means of the "flush route" every 30/40 thousand miles - of course this method leaves approx 50% of oil in the torque converter but if the process is carried out 2, or even 3 times within a short mileage, it is much better than not changing it whatsoever.

I have a colleague who is really OCD and, although no trans problems, he recently instructed his transmission specialist to remove his trans assembly - drain the torque converter - dismantle trans as required - strip out valve block bodies etc - clean out etc and replace internal filter - all at 80,000 kilometres

Huge thank you everyone for taking time to respond, and giving some really useful advice. I will have a good read of it all and come back if I have any questions 🙂 

Sorry to resurrect an old thread but i have a 2.0 S-Max which is starting to have a gearbox issure which is it wont change gear you sometimes have to turn the car off and then back on and the problem will clear.

Ive watched a few videos regarding a gearbox flush as the wax in the gearbox oil sticks to the connection/sensors making gear changes difficult/clunky and im wondering what your thoughts are on this and whether this aswell as new oil would fix it.

The product is called Sea Foam ...

I wouldn't put any additives in a Powershift, just change the fluid and the filter for new, reset the transmission and make sure the battery is fully charged

Ok, Thank You for that.