AU auto gearboxes

markb · 25-02-2008, 07:38 AM

Hey guys,

I was looking at a drive.com review of used AU's (XR6/XR8) and they mentioned that normally the gearbox is going to be cactus after about 160,000 k's.

Is this really likely for a normally driven car? I know a few people with Au XR6's that have had no problem.

I'm looking to get one of these as a cheap ute so wanted to know if I should be budgeting for a possible rebuild/reco auto box.

If so how much to budget for?

Cheers

JoesAu · 25-02-2008, 09:22 AM

no thats crap, taxi's get 700.000km's on one reco, there is no reason why it shouldnt last you 300k's as long as it serviced on time, mines still going strong after 170'000km's, just gotta keep em serviced, make sure the oil is clean etc

Fairlane · 25-02-2008, 09:44 AM

If their serviced they go forever.

The 160,000klms is if people follow the Ford Service Guide and dont service their Auto Box. Ford post EL told people that it was a sealed unit requiring no service

:

We've had untold amounts of BTR 4 Speeders (EA2,EB2, EF,EL, AU2, BA) in our family and have Zero and i repeat Zero problems with the Gearbox. 40-60,000 klms services will set you straight- Maybe 30,000klms if you absolutely cain it.

markb · 25-02-2008, 09:52 AM

Cool this was one of my major problems...

I am surrefing from new car buyers syndrome for the past 8 years.. and I think I'm cured and can buy a used one now :-)

I'm still paranoid about stuff breaking on me but I guess it's still cheaper than copping a huge depreciation hit.

On the off chance I do get a bad one are we talking big dollars for a reco?

Chamelion · 25-02-2008, 11:49 AM

$2300~ for a supplied and fitted reco tends to be the average price, assuming it's not through Ford.

The Monty · 25-02-2008, 12:27 PM

I have 237 000 on mine, still ok. Mums has had a reco, and has had 245 000 through it, so they seem pretty good to me.

Lukeyson · 25-02-2008, 12:32 PM

147'000kms on my AUII XR8, every 20'000km i get a service, and the oil is clean as a whistle, the guys who service it are surprised.
Some other 4 speed auto's they service just are nasty they reckon when they open them up !

markb · 25-02-2008, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chamelion

$2300~ for a supplied and fitted reco tends to be the average price, assuming it's not through Ford.

hmm that is not cheap, so I guess as always lower k's and service history and some questions about whether or not the 'box oil has been changed.

poolkeeper · 25-02-2008, 02:06 PM

I got a 16sec pass rofl, with my 201,000 original auto...

tickford90 · 25-02-2008, 02:51 PM

Mine has gone over 300 000kms on my 2000 Au II and still going strong and after a couple of weeks of owning the car I noticed nothing on the car had been serviced for 100 000kms (from 160 000 - 260 000kms). Serviced when I bought it and still going strong after the 12 months I've had it.

sly · 25-02-2008, 03:01 PM

My 99 Wagon has 330,000km up & still has the original box. It was flushed at 170,000km and again at 310,000km. It had its one and only (to date) service with the flush at 310,000. The oil was black but there were no other issues. I don't recommend you do the same as me though... mine will be serviced every 12 months now.

GK · 25-02-2008, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chamelion

$2300~ for a supplied and fitted reco tends to be the average price, assuming it's not through Ford.

When I was contemplating mine getting replaces, Fluidrive wanted $1.8K including GST.

I have a manual now!

:

GK

AU2PWR · 25-02-2008, 04:20 PM

Nah , BTRs are tough , if you Drag Race em and thrash the living christ out of em (liek me) They just get clunky , but new oil and clean fixes that !

**Stav** · 25-02-2008, 06:00 PM

I am on my 4th auto gearbox and the wagon is very close to 260 000kms. I have recently added an automatic transmission temperature gauge.Heat is what mainly kills the automatic not high speed drag racing. Firstly .You need a tranny cooler.Secondly a temperature controlled fan.

The main killer of autos is the stop start traffic and congestion.Last week at wsid I hit 155 to 160 kph and can confirm that the box ran cooler as more air flowed over my cooler.The end result should be a longer life.

Also don't go dslammimg the poor thing either as shock to the internals causes breakages too.
My first 2 boxes died in a totally stock car...Heat is thy enemy!!

RUKIDN · 25-02-2008, 09:38 PM

Ive been told my auto has its days numbered lol may be true but its still runs as smooth as they come, i might add i do treat it well but the power output would still add alot of additional stress. Ive been told they are pretty good boxes tho!

atec77 · 25-02-2008, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markb

Hey guys,

I was looking at a drive.com review of used AU's (XR6/XR8) and they mentioned that normally the gearbox is going to be cactus after about 160,000 k's.

Is this really likely for a normally driven car? I know a few people with Au XR6's that have had no problem.

I'm looking to get one of these as a cheap ute so wanted to know if I should be budgeting for a possible rebuild/reco auto box.

If so how much to budget for?

Cheers

My current e series had a box rebuild at 480k , had a service every 65k where it needed it or not , currently has about 600k and runs fine.
A rebuild kit from the states is affordable ( google it) and you and some mates can do the work> thats kevlar bands etc and new s5 soliniod.

Mr Hardware · 26-02-2008, 01:11 PM

if its a 6
and you ain't thrashing it or doing 14sec passes
then JoesAU and Fairlane are absolutely correct. Keep it serviced (drop the pan at 30 thou, full flush at 60 thou, rinse and repeat) and you will see well over 300k out of your unit.

fordon · 26-02-2008, 04:37 PM

How do you go about draining oil out than putting the right amount of oil in ?
They dont have a drain hole like a manual :-p
You remove the pan from bottom...... ? .....than......

TwistedEL · 26-02-2008, 04:45 PM

Yes you remove the pan, let the oil go, replace the filter, then there is a fill plug on the drivers side, fill to that level, take it for a quick drive and then top up if needed.

fordon · 26-02-2008, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwistedEL

Yes you remove the pan, let the oil go, replace the filter, then there is a fill plug on the drivers side, fill to that level, take it for a quick drive and then top up if needed.

Thanks for that,never really knew that as never had auto issuie's but someone once told me there were a seal unit which i thought wouldnt be right !

smoo · 02-03-2008, 07:21 PM

My Futura is on the original box on 434k, it is the highest kays I've seen or read of for an AU auto, unless someone in here wants to show me otherwise...
As has been mentioned, a temperature controlled fan is a good investment, and keep an eye on the ATF level, this might be a PITA with no bloody dipstick.

TwistedEL · 02-03-2008, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoo

My Futura is on the original box on 434k, it is the highest kays I've seen or read of for an AU auto, unless someone in here wants to show me otherwise...
As has been mentioned, a temperature controlled fan is a good investment, and keep an eye on the ATF level, this might be a PITA with no bloody dipstick.

Been in a taxi lately?

V8falcons · 02-03-2008, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoo

My Futura is on the original box on 434k, it is the highest kays I've seen or read of for an AU auto, unless someone in here wants to show me otherwise...
As has been mentioned, a temperature controlled fan is a good investment, and keep an eye on the ATF level, this might be a PITA with no bloody dipstick.

Speak to some of sydneys taxi drivers, some are geting 750-900k on original boxes,thats for the guys that are getting them serviced.

My Au II SR wagons got 235ks on it,Ive serviced it at 200ks,And the wifes AUII ghia has 83ks on it just serviced it,and they both drive and shift as good as each other.

Dark Horse · 02-03-2008, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vctxr6ute

Speak to some of sydneys taxi drivers, some are geting 750-900k on original boxes,thats for the guys that are getting them serviced.

That's damn good going. Just budget for regular servicing as the guys here have said and you shouldn't have any dramas.

markb · 02-03-2008, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dark Horse

That's damn good going. Just budget for regular servicing as the guys here have said and you shouldn't have any dramas.

well I take delivery of my XR8 auto ute, got 145000 k's so I might as well get the dealer to make sure they change the g'box oil.

hopefully it will be all good as the car looks to have been well maintained.

FRDGAL · 02-03-2008, 09:28 PM

I've owned my AU for 3½ years, since it was 80,100k's. It's now at 132,000k's and needs a full rebuild. It's fully shagged!

EDIT: Has had 2 full services since I've owned it.

private9 · 02-03-2008, 09:37 PM

Mine's a little tired at 190k, but it only had it's first ever service at 170, so I can't complain too much.

Mr Hardware · 03-03-2008, 12:26 PM

Quote:

My Futura is on the original box on 434k, it is the highest kays I've seen or read of for an AU auto, unless someone in here wants to show me otherwise...

Yes, thats about as high as you get. Very, very rarely do they go over 450k.

Quote:

Speak to some of sydneys taxi drivers, some are geting 750-900k on original boxes,thats for the guys that are getting them serviced.

I spent 3½ years working for a taxi management company, and i saw ALOT of cabs. ELs, AUs, BAs. No BTR Auto ever got past about 460-470k, even with the gentlest of drivers. Usual was just shy of 400k. We serviced our cars every 28 days, and transmission every second service. We had dipsticks put on all of them (just cos they're not factory doesn't mean you can't get em, i've got one on mine) so we could check the levels, and they were checked about 4 or 5 times a week. I don't have a terrible amount of experience with the BA boxes (from what i hear they're no better than the AU boxes) and in all the cabs I've seen I've never heard of one passing about the 470k mark.

RspecAU · 03-03-2008, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AU2PWR

Nah , BTRs are tough , if you Drag Race em and thrash the living christ out of em (liek me) They just get clunky , but new oil and clean fixes that !

When u have done twice as many runs as (i say twice coz u don't have as much power) Krissy has u'll be rebiuling ur's to. There not as tuff as u think.

V8falcons · 03-03-2008, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

Yes, thats about as high as you get. Very, very rarely do they go over 450k.

I spent 3½ years working for a taxi management company, and i saw ALOT of cabs. ELs, AUs, BAs. No BTR Auto ever got past about 460-470k, even with the gentlest of drivers. Usual was just shy of 400k. We serviced our cars every 28 days, and transmission every second service. We had dipsticks put on all of them (just cos they're not factory doesn't mean you can't get em, i've got one on mine) so we could check the levels, and they were checked about 4 or 5 times a week. I don't have a terrible amount of experience with the BA boxes (from what i hear they're no better than the AU boxes) and in all the cabs I've seen I've never heard of one passing about the 470k mark.

Cool,Ive seen/spoken to a few owner/operators with higher Ks mate,Our prestige cabs we use for work,One guy just sold his au LTD,with 890 odd ks ,1 reco box in it,His biggest drama was the front gaurds folding down a few times,for the Ks these cars are immaculate.every AU cab I used to get in,i would ask whats been replaced alot would say diff,brakes high Ks 600k+ no eng/box dramas.

Ask a commordore cab owner the same question!!!!!!! Are there any left....