Asking for a friend (Really) ...

[F-Rod]

I have a friend who resides about 50 minutes from me with a 2015 model (with 115,000 mi) who is currently experiencing transmission issues. I went to see her yesterday and the transmission won't engage into any gear. I looked underneath and all the linkage looks fine. She has experienced a burning smell also. She was taking a trip when it gave out and had to be towed back to her place. There is no "SES" light on. I brought along my relatively cheap scanner (That I bought for my 2001 F-150 and Town Car) and it revealed no codes.

She's considering getting it towed to a dealership near her home to get it "scanned". Are 2015 models that plugged into the ECU system to reveal or pinpoint the precise transmission problem, or are these symptoms so severe that what any scan might reveal moot at this point, and it's simply best to have it towed straight to a transmission shop at this point? What would you do iow?

Thanks in advance.

 

[max78]

Sounds like the fluid level could be low, or the fluid is toast. look up how to check the fluid level on the 6R80 transmission. Don't get burned too badly.

 

[JamaicaJoe]

There was a TSB for the lead frame assembly which has all the valves and solenoids. Might be covered in a recall. Is any fluid leaking? The fittings near the oil cooler rust and fail. Yes get it scanned.

 

[F-Rod]

Sounds like the fluid level could be low, or the fluid is toast. look up how to check the fluid level on the 6R80 transmission. Don't get burned too badly.

So this particular transmission for that 2015 Expedition did not have a dip stick for which to check it's fluid level from the engine bay? I thought that was a relatively new thing - forcing customers to take it to shops to check transmission and engine oil levels because manufacturers had removed the ability (Dipsticks) for owners to check on their own fluid levels? Is this 6R80 transmission known for having bugs?

 

[F-Rod]

There was a TSB for the lead frame assembly which has all the valves and solenoids. Might be covered in a recall. Is any fluid leaking? The fittings near the oil cooler rust and fail. Yes get it scanned.

Was there a recall issued for this particular component and year, and if so, would they honor it this late? No fluid leaking, but it could also be lacking any fluid to leak at this point. She mentioned that symptoms were taking place before it completely stopped working. So such transmissions can be scanned for these vehicles? These scanners can provide codes to possibly point to or determine the problem?

 

[AWAR]

I remember a mileage limit on the recall. I think it was 10 years or 150k miles. Yes, the 6R80 is a problem child. The first couple years had the transmission module built into the lead frame, Ford wants to sell you a complete valve body. The later ones is just the lead frame. Replacing the lead frame fixed all but one of my fleet trucks. We sold that one.

 

[JamaicaJoe]

Was there a recall issued for this particular component and year, and if so, would they honor it this late? No fluid leaking, but it could also be lacking any fluid to leak at this point. She mentioned that symptoms were taking place before it completely stopped working. So such transmissions can be scanned for these vehicles? These scanners can provide codes to possibly point to or determine the problem?

Not good to ignore transmission symptoms. I also recall a 10 year 150K mile warranty. I would have it flat bed towed to a shop that can scan it. There is no dipstick. Ford says "lifetime" fluid, but that is BS because the designer ZF has a service interval. I am planning on getting a filter change and fluid replenished soon.

 

[JasonH]

The dipstick is on top of the transmission, next to the exhaust. The transmission needs to be at operating temperature to properly check fluid levels. I haven't had any transmission issues so I don't know what would show up with a code reader, but you can probably search for 6R80 transmission codes to see what others may have experienced.

 

[F-Rod]

Thank you, Awar, Joe, and Jason. She took it to the dealership and today she got the results. She said the service writer or mechanic who she dealt with thinks "something inside it broke"; metal shavings were found in the pan. Quoted around 7 grand to repair it.

What would a good reputable shop charge? Would it be around 7 grand? Is it a new transmission price that makes it such an expensive fix, or is it labor intensive to remove it - assuming it has to be completely removed?

Thanks once again, Guys.

 

[Expensedition]

Metal shavings: Loss of lubricant

Never buy the first year of a new Gen.

The cost is high because the labor rate is high and should be if you want a skilled person to work on it. Hopefully they are skilled at the dealer, however "Something inside it broke" does not sound skilled.

I would not buy a new transmission but instead get a remanufactured transmission for about $2800.00 and have a good mechanic swap it out.

V/r

SM

 

[max78]

Thank you, Awar, Joe, and Jason. She took it to the dealership and today she got the results. She said the service writer or mechanic who she dealt with thinks "something inside it broke"; metal shavings were found in the pan. Quoted around 7 grand to repair it.

What would a good reputable shop charge? Would it be around 7 grand? Is it a new transmission price that makes it such an expensive fix, or is it labor intensive to remove it - assuming it has to be completely removed?

Thanks once again, Guys.

If you are looking to save $ Take it to a smaller shop and have them drop a junkyard trans in it for a fraction of the cost. You can go to car-part.com and look them up. I found several low millage 6r80 transmissions for less than $500 on there.

 

[BigOleFordFan]

Well, it's been my experience that any time you go to a stealership and even remotely mention the words "transmission problem", they instantly start seeing $$$$ signs flashing around in their brains....

And YES, the parts are expensive & the work is very labor intensive, but as already stated, SKILLED transmission tech(s) deserve to be paid well for the numerous hours they will be stuck under, in & around your vehicle

I would suggest that a local, well-known shop that does nothing but transmissions would be the best way to go. You may still end up paying ~$5-7k, but it would be money well spent with someone local to you, instead of the mega-corp-whizzers at the stealerships whose initial diagnosis is "Something inside it broke"... so lame and extremely unprofessional IMHO...

 

[AWAR]

Just remember that the Ford dealers warranty is nationwide, check the miles and time. I am not pushing the dealer stuff but if I can’t do it myself that is where I go.

 

[dkincaid32]

Thank you, Awar, Joe, and Jason. She took it to the dealership and today she got the results. She said the service writer or mechanic who she dealt with thinks "something inside it broke"; metal shavings were found in the pan. Quoted around 7 grand to repair it.

What would a good reputable shop charge? Would it be around 7 grand? Is it a new transmission price that makes it such an expensive fix, or is it labor intensive to remove it - assuming it has to be completely removed?

Thanks once again, Guys.

$7k is nuts! I will guarantee it crapped the Lead Frame Assembly. Aside from the LFA, its a pretty bullet proof unit and some fuzz and shavings is normal especially on the first fluid change. Your looking at around $300 for parts/fluid and can do it in your driveway if you got/tools. look up the repair from fordmakeuloco o youtube.

 

[ZigZagFred]

It might be a good idea to check with a place that specializes in transmissions, instead of the dealership. AAmco is the first name that popped into my head.

 

[JamaicaJoe]

$7K at a dealership? Metal in the fluid? Chunks or shavings? There is a magnet in the pan to collect shavings that normally occur from gear wear. I would flat bed it to a reputable local transmission shop. Don't share the $7K stealership quote with them.

 

[Rodewaryer]

Not good to ignore transmission symptoms. I also recall a 10 year 150K mile warranty. I would have it flat bed towed to a shop that can scan it. There is no dipstick. Ford says "lifetime" fluid, but that is BS because the designer ZF has a service interval. I am planning on getting a filter change and fluid replenished soon.

I had no idea there could be issues at that mileage, about the same as mine has. I will be following your example and getting mine (2013) done. I have a warranty too so another little bit of built in protection, if you will.