Au maitenance query

nosajknight · 16-09-2008, 05:45 PM

Hi all. My partner has an AU fairmont and we are about to go on a trip. Now as silly as this sounds, I cannot find the dipstick for the auto trans fluid?????? Can anyone help with the location of this or am I just going mad????? (Be Nice!)

Cheers, Jason

Fairlane · 16-09-2008, 06:05 PM

There isnt one. You arent mad, they removed the dipstick after the EF, because of idiots pouring dextron 3 down it instead of TQF95.

If you keep the transmission serviced and its operating well, well it should be just fine. Ford say that it is a sealed unit now, but if you have any serious dobuts you might want to get the transmission serviced it isnt very dear.

macca13 · 16-09-2008, 06:07 PM

Au's don't have a dipstick to check tranny oil level they are checked by a plug on the side of the box like a manual.

Rangas GTP · 16-09-2008, 06:11 PM

Yep no dip stick. 16mm plug on drivers side of gearbox, check level when car running and in park. Some transmission shops drill and fit dipstick for the lazy.

sneaky · 16-09-2008, 06:38 PM

how often should the auto fluid get changed? my 2002 coon is up to 170k and i don't know that it has been changed (not by me in 3 years and nearly 100k anyway)

bloggs24 · 16-09-2008, 06:43 PM

when i got my full flush and service, the mechanic told me it would be good for another 50k, the car is on 147k and while everything was running fine, from the looks of the oil, it had never been done before. my full service cost 200 neat, and id recomend you get it done to be on the safe side.

b2tf · 16-09-2008, 07:40 PM

There is one, its on the side of the gearbox so you'll have to jack up the car and get right underneath the gearbox, keep looking till you find it.

:

**Mechan1k** · 16-09-2008, 09:45 PM

Used to service the auto every 30-40,000km ... a lot cheaper than a replacement/rebuild. I had to get a rebuilt one anyway as the previous owner never serviced it. After the rebuild went it .. i was religiously serviced (even though it got worked hard and carried a lot of load) ... was still like new 130,000km later on the rebuild (mind you I had strengthened internals put in it).

I advise notdoing more than 50,000km between auto services ... preferrably less actually.

sneaky · 17-09-2008, 07:19 AM

the 'auto service' that everyone is talking about, is that just change the auto trans fluid? or something more indepth?

whiskers · 17-09-2008, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sneakypete23

the 'auto service' that everyone is talking about, is that just change the auto trans fluid? or something more indepth?

change oil and filter is what they are talking about. if you want to try this yourself there is a "how to guide" on here some where just do a search

MrXr6Tickford · 17-09-2008, 10:09 AM

not sure when my gearbox was last serviced... but its whining in D on take off and when i take my foot off the accelerator...

Foggy · 17-09-2008, 12:58 PM

I would suggest if it is starting to whine take it in to shop and get a power flush done as well as a service. By doing that they will change out all the trans fluid.

MrXr6Tickford · 17-09-2008, 01:44 PM

sweet cheers mate.

Any idea on how much that should cost?

blueoval · 17-09-2008, 02:05 PM

i get a whine in 1st gear also. was told by transmission place that planetary gearing is starting to wear. common problem in au's apparently.

i do trans service every 25,000km. just out of habit. overkill i know. :P

MrXr6Tickford · 17-09-2008, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueoval

i get a whine in 1st gear also. was told by transmission place that planetary gearing is starting to wear. common problem in au's apparently.

i do trans service every 25,000km. just out of habit. overkill i know. :P

would this get covered under warrenty?

blueoval · 17-09-2008, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrXr6Tickford

would this get covered under warrenty?

only if the trans breaks down. its still running, but is a bit noisey thats all. its usually up to the discretion of the dealer to fix it, if he wants to. but dont count on that happening.

replace it when it gets too noisey to bear.

MrXr6Tickford · 17-09-2008, 02:37 PM

well its fairly noisey as it is now... but i took it to the transmission place that ford contract to look after there diff's and gearbox's and the guy said it was a common problem in the gearbox..

But didnt think it needed fixing straight away as it was first thought that it was a diff problem but was then dignoised as a gearbox problem.

Its fairly noisey now.. and sometimes it can have a slight pause before it goes into gear...

But i dont think ford will honor it.. as it was hard enough to try tell them there was a problem to begin with... they first said it was my exhaust :togo:

blueoval · 17-09-2008, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrXr6Tickford

well its fairly noisey as it is now... but i took it to the transmission place that ford contract to look after there diff's and gearbox's and the guy said it was a common problem in the gearbox..

But didnt think it needed fixing straight away as it was first thought that it was a diff problem but was then dignoised as a gearbox problem.

Its fairly noisey now.. and sometimes it can have a slight pause before it goes into gear...

But i dont think ford will honor it.. as it was hard enough to try tell them there was a problem to begin with... they first said it was my exhaust :togo:

well thats a typical response from a dealership. They most likely wont honor the warranty of the gearbox. It will most likely come out of your pocket. If you are wanting to get the planetary gear replaced I'd suggest calling a few transmission places and getting quotes to do the job. While the gearbox is out, you could look at getting a few other parts strengthened and some seals replaced if funds permit. Its just a suggestion for piece of mind. Not totally necessary but worth asking for.

iwannaford · 18-09-2008, 10:06 AM

Nice thread, plenty of useful information, I have a question if those who are knowledgeable to answer, I had taken my 02 AU 6Cly Auto Falcon to my mechanic Tuesday, as I am travelling out of town this weekend short notice, and I haven't the time to conduct the work myself, but I had him do a seal kit and change the transmission oil, as well as the diff oil based on his recommendation that it smelt burnt. Also he replaced the extensions housing seal as per my request, now when I drive, its an intermittent fault, changing from second to third, the engine revs up like a blip, and takes a half a second to change into 3rd, its not a big issue, but prior to having a service it never did this before, I mean ever. Any ideas?

artemics · 18-09-2008, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iwannaford

Nice thread, plenty of useful information, I have a question if those who are knowledgeable to answer, I had taken my 02 AU 6Cly Auto Falcon to my mechanic Tuesday, as I am travelling out of town this weekend short notice, and I haven't the time to conduct the work myself, but I had him do a seal kit and change the transmission oil, as well as the diff oil based on his recommendation that it smelt burnt. Also he replaced the extensions housing seal as per my request, now when I drive, its an intermittent fault, changing from second to third, the engine revs up like a blip, and takes a half a second to change into 3rd, its not a big issue, but prior to having a service it never did this before, I mean ever. Any ideas?

I had something similar happen of late and it wasn't good news for me - ended up getting a reconditioned box put in.
It upset me quite a bit to spend $500 being a good kid getting a service done (full flush + a seal or two) to find that when i got it back it was a complete dog with similar symptoms to yours (over rev and delay on gear change).

The final diagnosis was worn clutch plates and my guessnosis was that playing around with the bits inside the transmission ruined the state of equilibrium that had existed with all the original bits dying together in harmony.

iwannaford · 18-09-2008, 09:07 PM

A four letter word comes to mind, okay, the car should be okay for a little while you reckon? It still works fine, just second to third I can afford to spend the money on getting something done, but tommorow is Friday, and I am leaving Sat'd