Ford Galaxy 2004 Automatic Gear box problem

[johnden3]

Hi all
Please can somebody suggest me the solution.
I have a Ford Galaxy 2004 Zetec . Its automatic gear box has started slipping at different speeds. Initially at 50-60 miles and now between 30-40 miles. This later speed happened  after having the transmission oil changed. I took it back to the local garage who drained some oil to check the colour of the oil. To me it was some black and red and it smelled of little burning.  I want to know if I need a new gear box or there is some tests I can do to be 100 % sure it is the gearbox that is gone. Should it be so, what is the best and cheapest option available before I think of having it replaced. It has only done 38000 miles so far.

[Mirez]

Hi!

That sounds like low fluid tbh which would account for the burny smell as well. Ask them how they filled it (preferably without telling them first) as its imperative the engine is running when its being filled yet some independents don't know this and fill it off. They'll be nearly 0.5 liter low as a result.

Also when you say slip, can you elaborate? Does it rev up freely like its in neutral or is there still drive? What happens if you put it into tiptronic mode and ask it to change up/down during the speeds you mention?

[johnden3]

Hi Mark

Thank you for your reply. The car revs up freely as in neutral  making noise and without drive. I have not tried tiptronic mode, shall try to do that and come back to you.

To my knowledge, the car was not running when the oil was changed. I shall go back to him and inquire.

Thanks again for your help.

Regards
Dennis

[marinabrid]

as a fellow auto owner this is the same thing that worries me,
we have 74,000 miles on as far as i know original filled for life auto gearbox
have read a lot on here about problems that occur when someone has changed it,
i did wonder about the local vw garage but they want Ã,£160 for a change but i wionder how many times they wil fill it,  they ought to know the correct procedure i would have thought
touch wood ours has not had a problem yet but wonder if i should change the oil or wait till some little thing happens like with yours,  i do a lot of short journeys which guzzles th efuel but probably dont do the gearbox much good either.

Are they the same auto box through the range of diesels and all petrols ?

[johnnyroper]

No idea on the auto box but I would hazard a guess the petrols are what ford use and diesel what vw use due to the way they bolt to engine etc...
I certainly don't buy in to this filled for life nonsense though especially the way auto gearbox's work. My manual ford mtx75 is supposed to be filled for life yet the oil I removed was in a mess.

[Mirez]

The V6 and TDI auto boxes are the same, the 2.0 and 2.3 use Ford's AG4 box.

Revving freely is a 'false neutral' rather then slipping and can be caused by a lack of oil pressure. Low fluid, stuck Solonoids or a crack in the valve body are the common causes.