2010 MC Powershift transmission "clunk"

[Midnight Man]

Howdy all, and thank you for reading!

As a recent addition to the Mondeo owners, I have a fairly simple question. When I start my LX TDCi (Powershift) from cold, I hear a "ca-lunk" - not loud, but you can hear it - it sounds almost like the transmission is engaging as it were, if that makes any sense?

In all respects, the car drives perfectly well, doesn't miss a beat on highway or in city traffic.

What I'm wondering is - is that "engaging" type noise as I describe above normal, or something worth investigating?

[whitelion65]

Hi Midnight,
I don't ever hear the transmission. I will have a good listen tonight when I get home.
Steve

[DFB FGXR6]

I could be the ABS "Self Test". After a restart and when moving off from rest in drive at about 20 km/h there will be a noise you described. Some people can hear it others don't.

[Midnight Man]

Thank you folks for the advice and input - on rereading, I realise I may not have clarified enough. This noise occurs a moment after starting the car, whilst in park (stationary).

It sounds like the transmission is "engaging" - hence my note above.

[ope126]

Originally Posted by Midnight Man

Thank you folks for the advice and input - on rereading, I realise I may not have clarified enough. This noise occurs a moment after starting the car, whilst in park (stationary).

It sounds like the transmission is "engaging" - hence my note above.

It sound like it might be the A/C compressor.

[Midnight Man]

Good thought, Ope!

I will make some tests with the A/C turned off (out of habit, I mostly leave it on when turning off the car).

Many thanks!

[Fishman]

Are you parking on a slight incline when this happens? I think my wife's mondo makes the same sort of noise on start up. Almost as if the transmission is releasing itself from a lock or something. When I park on an incline now, I let the car rest in neutral with the hand brake before moving it to park

[Midnight Man]

Thank you Fishman for the thought - this is on a pretty much perfectly flat driveway, so unfortunately, I don't think your situation applies here (though your description of the noise is pretty accurate!).

Am continuing to test A/C and startup

[borntoshop666]

mine had been doing it too sometimes.
2010 Diesel Titanium, especially on a cold morning. Maybe its the 2 Clutches engaging upon Start Up?? Sometimes they might align perfectly when the Car is turned off, other times they don't. no Idea, but never had any Transmission Issues in 236000 k's

[whitelion65]

Well, I tried mine out today. N to R and to D multiple times. I thought I detected a slight noise on one selection, but nothing like you describe.
Good luck with it MnM.
Steve

[commz]

I know exactly what you're talking about

I had an MB Zetec TDCI which did this every time from cold. Once the engine was warmed up, it was fine. If you left it for a while the clunk would come back.

Has happened on an MC Titanium TDCI as well that I tested and a few other MC's.. hit and miss though, some do it some dont

I find that if you turn the key to the position before it starts and leave it there for a few seconds, it wont happen (even from cold).

Can anyone shed some light?

[commz]

Also, its a very loud CLUNK on startup. You'll definitely notice/feel it

[commz]

Also, I havnt heard the noise on an Ecoboost or 2.3 engine yet..so could be TDCI only?

[Midnight Man]

Originally Posted by commz

I know exactly what you're talking about

I had an MB Zetec TDCI which did this every time from cold. Once the engine was warmed up, it was fine. If you left it for a while the clunk would come back.

^^ This is exactly what I'm finding.

I haven't given up on this, despite the lack of posting (have had a couple of family matters drag me away).

I did end up completing testing on the air conditioning - this was not the cause (but thank you for the thoughts all!).

I've had the transmission serviced - oil change, filter change, made no difference to this.

Honestly, I'm only concerned about it if it's a harbringer of trouble to come - if so, then I will take remedial action early, rather than later. If it's an upcoming issue with the transmission, I'll deal with it now before it gets too bad or causes too much further damage - that's my main reason for asking.

Will be working on this further with my mechanic - and obviously will post any findings here in case others in the future may find it helpful.

In the meantime, any further information will be gladly received!

[commz]

All the best! I thought it was the transmission as well (so I got it serviced, this was the older 6 speed, non powershift). Problem didnt go away.

Could you try turning the key to the position before the car starts and leaving ti there for a few seconds before starting the car to see if the clunk goes away?

[whitelion65]

Commz comments point to the noise NOT being transmission. i.e. it happens in both Powershift and conventional auto trans.
Further investigation required.
Good luck
Steve

[Batman105E]

please delete entry.

[Ros5co]

My MC TDCi Zetec also does this occasionally. Done it for the nearly three years Iv'e had the car. Interested if there is some explanation.

[Midnight Man]

I have, as suggested, turned the key to the position immediately prior to actually starting the car, and left it in that position a few moments prior to actually starting the car.

This simply changes the timing of the event to occur more quickly after starting - ordinarily without using this tactic, the noise is heard a couple of seconds after starting - with this tactic, it's almost immediate. Varying the length of time the key is left in the "pre start" position makes no difference to the fact that the noise is then heard nearly immediately after starting.