Focus Mk2 2.0 Petrol Automatic - Automatic gearbox problem need help please

[ck238]

Hi all,

I hope I can get some advice with a problem I am experiencing whilst on holiday in Germany. My Focus Estate (2.0l petrol, ZF automatic) developed an issue on the way to Germany - there is hardly any power transmission in 4th gear. Changing gears works fine, no warning lights / messages, no smells, normal temparature. Driving on the motorway, all is fine in 4th gear (at around 70mph), but as soon as there is the slightest incline the speed drops and I can only rev up the engine, but no power seems to be transmitted. Can change gears manually, and everything seems to be fine in 1st to 3rd. A friend who is a mechanic had a quick look and said there is enough oil, but can't do more as he is not a specialist.

No idea how serious this is and if I can make it back to the UK (around 700 miles). Trying to see a specialist for automatic gearboxes tomorrow and the Ford garage if that doesn't help.

I am trying to find out whether it is a smallish fix that can be done in Germany whilst I am here, whether I could make it home (possibly taking more time and using 3rd only), or if there is no hope and I need to get a new gearbox (which would be a whole other issue given the age of the car).

Any advise would be appreciated, I tried to find the problem online but no luck finding the same problem.

Thanks, Chris

[mjt]

I have to admit I know very little about auto transmissions other than the basics. I'm assuming from your description (ZF automatic) that it's a classic fluid-flywheel auto box. Ratio selection is done using hydraulically-actuated friction bands or clutches to lock a set of planetary gears. It sounds as if the band or clutch for 4th gear has started slipping. I guess this might be due to a lack of hydraulic pressure or wear of the friction faces. Only an auto transmission specialist will be able to give you a definitive diagnosis.

[trailertrash]

Sorry I can't help re the problem but as ZF is a German company it might be worthwhile getting it diagnosed, and possibly fixed, whilst in Germany.

Good luck! I love auto cars, usually very reliable but when they go - ouch! ££££s

[Incontro]

On 12/19/2016 at 5:27 PM, ck238 said:

Hi all,

I hope I can get some advice with a problem I am experiencing whilst on holiday in Germany. My Focus Estate (2.0l petrol, ZF automatic) developed an issue on the way to Germany - there is hardly any power transmission in 4th gear. Changing gears works fine, no warning lights / messages, no smells, normal temparature. Driving on the motorway, all is fine in 4th gear (at around 70mph), but as soon as there is the slightest incline the speed drops and I can only rev up the engine, but no power seems to be transmitted. Can change gears manually, and everything seems to be fine in 1st to 3rd. A friend who is a mechanic had a quick look and said there is enough oil, but can't do more as he is not a specialist.

No idea how serious this is and if I can make it back to the UK (around 700 miles). Trying to see a specialist for automatic gearboxes tomorrow and the Ford garage if that doesn't help.

I am trying to find out whether it is a smallish fix that can be done in Germany whilst I am here, whether I could make it home (possibly taking more time and using 3rd only), or if there is no hope and I need to get a new gearbox (which would be a whole other issue given the age of the car).

Any advise would be appreciated, I tried to find the problem online but no luck finding the same problem.

Thanks, Chris

Hi Chris,

Sorry to hear about the problems you've been experiencing, hope you manage to get it sorted soon!

Just for reference - your Focus most likely has a Mazda/Ford auto transmission (Ford 4F27E), rather than ZF, assuming yours is a UK market model. It is technically a 3-speed unit, the fourth gear is an over-drive ratio.

Rather than pretend to be an auto trans specialist, I'll link below a useful article I found. Page 13 mentions the most common cause of a slipping fourth gear:

http://www.atraonline.com/gears/2006/2006-01/2006-01_08.pdf

Also, googling issues with this particular unit yields this forum post:

http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/general-technical-chat/307628-no-4th-gear.html

Good luck, let us know how you get on!

[ck238]

Hi all,

thanks all for your help, absolutely fantastic. I went to the specialist (as Ford price for new gearbox is not an option). He test drove it and checked the oil - oil does smell burned and when driving in 3rd the same problem occurs in high speed / revs. He did not think we would make it home as 3rd gear would go as well.

He will now re-built which seems to be the best compromise, still quite expensive but around a third Ford would charge for a new one. Hopefully ready in time for travelling back, or a slightly longer holiday. Fingers crossed it will all work out.

Thanks again for the support, will let you know when back in the UK :-)

Chris

[trailertrash]

Best of luck and Happy Solstice! Have a cool Yule too

[v530anh]

I also had a very slight oil burning smell in the car when I would rev up the engine. Though I had a sealed gearbox, but I managed to change a litre of the gear oil and the burning oil smell went away. I also noticed that spraying WD40 under the gear cover onto and around the spring improved gear handling. 

 

Though your problem sounds more serious.