The 6R140 seemingly stands out in the crowd of heavy-duty trucks for having an insanely built Torque converter. This converter can take RPMs to the lowest of the lows and highest of the highs up to even 1300 RPMs on command. However, despite the cool design, the transmission isn’t perfect and is susceptible to transmission issues.
The most common Ford 6r140 Transmission Problems Simply put, you might face constant delayed transmission or gear engagements, irregular shiftings, Overheated engines, a drastic decrease in performance, and more. These issues can indicate permanent damage to your transmissions.
Hence, before any more damage is taken by your vehicle, sit back straight till the end of this article as we cover every 6R140 transmission problem and give tips and tricks you can follow as a solution. To learn more, keep reading.
What are the Common Ford 6R140 Transmission Problems You Might Face?
Ford is responsible for the 6R140 and didn’t fail to impress us with its extended capabilities. However, extended heavy-duty on the road, long-term usage, or even slight internal issues can cause a transmission problem.
Here are some of the common 6R140 transmission problems you should be aware of-
#1. Malfunctioning Solenoid Blocks
One of the biggest and most tragic problems to encounter is a malfunctioning solenoid block. This will not only cause issues within the internal clutch valves but also drastically decrease the potential of your 6R140.
In this problem, you’ll find your tranny to have non-interchangeable solenoids, which if prevalent for a long time can damage your entire solenoid block.
The causes behind this can be-
- When the hub of the torque converter is displaced. This ultimately causes a pump failure.
- Worn-out clutches or valve bodies.
- Torque converters are located incorrectly.
- Pump-bearing wear outs
#2. Constant Delayed Engagements When Going Reverse or Forward
Delayed engagements are one of the most common problems that most ford models undergo including the 6R140 transmission. In this case, your vehicle will delay in changing gears. This incident can happen mostly when you’re trying to either go forward or reverse.
These happen for a number of reasons-
- When the hub of the torque converter fails.
- Displaced location of the torque converter.
- Wear and tear in the solenoid compartment.
- Worn-out torque bearings.
- When the transmission fluid doesn’t reach the required destination.
#3. Constant Transmission Down Shifting’s Severely
Most transmission issues consist of a tragic downslope of downshifts and so does the 6R140. It gets out of hand when the downshifting is severe and makes the vehicle almost impossible to ride throughout the roads.
Common causes behind this include-
- Discolored transmission fluids, which is a clear indication that your transmission needs a replacement.
- Software of mechanical error.
- Worn-out bore and valves
- Faulty clutch regulator packs
#4. Can Shift a Maximum of 1-2 Gears Only
This problem is the same as the constant downshifting, except this time you can shift gears but only 1-2 times max. This can be rather annoying as it goes against the design of the vehicle.
It can be annoying but has some underlying causes behind it which include the-
- Abrupt solenoid valves
- Irregular programming of the TCM (transmission control module) or ECU (electronic engine control)
- Wear and tear in the valve or clutch packs.
- Malfunctioning OSS or the Output Speed Sensor
#5. Overheating Quite Frequently
With the increased usage of your 6R140, you’ll notice your vehicle is overheating more than normal. When this happens, it’s an indication that your transmission might have an issue.
The reasoning behind this problem is-
- Worn-out clutches
- Busted accumulator, which is responsible for sending power signals to the transmission.
- Disengaged clutch or valves.
#6. Constant TCI Flashes or Displaying Error Code
When there’s something wrong going on with your transmission, Ford’s built-in Transmission Control Indicator or TCI signals you through flashes. Coming across the flashes is quite a good lead to undermining the transmission issue.
Another thing you’ll notice is error codes. Different codes are designed and show up on the computer screen when checked in the solenoid. For instance, the code P1700 or P1702 indicates transmission system failure.
#7. Automatically Slip Shifts Reverse To Parking
While you want to drive right after changing your parking position, you might notice your gear slips automatically to parking mode right after you’re trying to reverse.
This incident happens when there’s a solenoid or internal programmable issue in your engine. Other reasons why it might happen-
- Disrupted gearbox resulted from a faulty software or mechanical issue.
- When the torque converter is unable to lock up speed.
- Wear and tear in the clutch and valve compartment.
- Solenoid malfunctions
#8. Unfavorable High Pitched Sounds
Another disturbing problem that shows when there’s a 6R140 transmission issue is when a high-pitched sound or noise transpires from within your engine.
This happens for the following reasons-
- The Line pressure of the gauge isn’t as smooth or functional.
- Faulty converter hub.
- Failure in pump bearings.
- Possible leakage from an opened-up clutch seal.
Read also >> Ford 4r100 Transmission Problems (With Rebuild Cost)
Things You Can Do When There are Ford 6r140 Transmission Problems
The 6R140 transmission problem mostly happens to faulty solenoid blocks, improper software codes, or a messed up torque converter. Even though most of the solution consists of replacements, here are some things you can do yourself-
Speculate and Inspect
Without speculating on the issue and confirming it can cost you extra bucks when you directly hand your vehicle over to the repair shop. Thus, always inspect before concluding an issue. The way you can do so is-
- Since most of the problems are caused by transpired Torque converters, make sure you check the hub manually. If you spot an abnormal position of the hub, then your vehicle has a transmission issue.
- Clutches and valves are the most crucial component of your transmission, which keeps it up and running. Hence, check for wear and tears in the clutch packs and bypass pressure valves.
- A slight issue with the Solenoid block can bring heavy damage to your transmission altogether. Thus, always confirm whether there’s any error, wear, and tear displaced location, or leaks in the solenoid blocks. If there is, then it’s a confirmation message that your 6R140 transmission has problems and needs a replacement.
- Check the Computer codes as they always signal you the exact code of what the transmission issue is.
Replacements and Rebuild
Most reasons that cause the 6R140 transmission issues are extreme. Like, For faulty pump bearings, displaced valves, worn-out clutches, damaged solenoids, dislocated torque hubs, etc take a replacement to bring your vehicle back to normal.
However, taking your vehicle to your mechanic for just replacements based on your speculation will fix the problem, but ultimately might spike the issue over time again.
Hence, the better option is to always rebuild your vehicle from a good remanufacturing company as they put proper care into your model car and inspect every corner of issues and course fix it. This way, your car functions well as new.
Rebuild Costs of the Ford 6r140 When There are Transmission Problems
The rebuild of your previous 6R140 consists of various repairings as well as inspections. It also includes thorough readings of the futuristic underlying problems, replacements of every damaged component, refurbished repairs, and helpful updates that light up the overall performance of your tranny.
With so much service, the rebuild usually takes about 12-15 hours to finish, which can cost you about $3000- $4000 altogether.
Even though the cost might be high for some, the rebuild is always worth it. Apart from that if you’re short on money, you can just order a remanufactured transmission right at your doorstep, which will cost about $400 to $800 including the labor fee.
However, it’s always better if you get it done from a professional than yourself as there are chances of mess ups and we certainly don’t want that for you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much HP can 6R140 handle?
The 6R140 is well known for its good handling record of the RPM. If your torque shift has no issue at all, the transmission of the 6R140 can handle a whopping 600 to 1200 RWHP. Furthermore, this HP is maintained for up to 10,000 miles, which is quite impressive.
Are all 6R140 transmissions the same?
No. Even though there are more similarities than differences, they’re not all the same. The basic difference between all the 6.7 L 6R140 Powerstroke and 6.2 L 6R140 is the structure of software input, torque converter bearings, clutch packs, and materials that cause friction.
6R140 additionally has a torque lockup system that enables the vehicle to reach extremely low RPMs on command, which sets its design apart from the other Ford designs.
Is the 6R140 a good transmission?
It most certainly is. That’s because it has a unique torque converter, which lets it reach a very low RPM. Apart from that, the transmission is made to be adapted to many updates of solenoid valves, which makes it quite a strong transmission.
Final Words
The heavy 6r140 Transmission Problems can be a lot to grasp, but there’s nothing you can repair or solve. The damage is inevitable when these problems go unattended for a long time.
That’s exactly why we tried to notify you about each problem and how you can lessen the damage by inspecting components by yourself. Follow the tips and tricks we provided and your vehicle should be as good as new!
