The 6.0 Powerstroke was an infamous engine that was available on the Ford Super Duty range in the early 2000s. Its transmission, the 5R110 is an automatic, which has received a lot of praise, especially for those looking to haul with or tune their trucks. At the same time, this gearbox is known to have some troublesome aspects. There are some 6.0 Powerstroke transmission problems one should know about.
These include the transmission fluid leaking, the transmission pressure solenoid failing, a host of torque convertor problems, delays in the gear changes, and harshness while shifting. One can also find bits of metals in the gearbox that can cause it to fail on a certain year’s model.
To know more about these issues, check out the piece below:
What Transmission Does a 6.0 Powerstroke Have?
The 6.0 Powerstroke comes with one of two transmissions. The first is the 5R110 transmission; a gearbox has 5 gears (according to Ford; 6 in actuality) that send power to the rear wheels of the truck. This transmission is also available with the 6.4 Powerstroke that replaced the 6.0.
The other one is the ZF S6-750 transmission, which is a manual with 6 gears. This one gets you a better fuel mileage due to the absence of a torque converter. However, the 5R110 is preferred due to it offering a more comfortable and easy driving experience.
Common 6.0 Powerstroke Transmission Problems
The following are the most commonly reported 6.0 Powerstroke gearbox issues:
Transmission fluid leakage
The 6.0 Powerstroke suffers from tranny fluid leakage. The major culprit in this regard is usually the pan gasket which can leak out. Other than that, one or more of the transmission fluid lines can also get damaged. A loss of transmission fluid can lead to the gearbox getting damaged.
Line pressure solenoid problem
This is another common issue with the 6.0 Powerstroke transmission. To sum it up, the transmission pressure control solenoid which controls the fluid pressure inside it, can fail. The symptoms of this include slipping and an inability to shift gears.
Transmission range sensor issue
The range sensor on the 6.0 Powerstroke has the important task of selecting the gear needed as it is in cahoots with the Transmission Control Module (TCM). When this component malfunctions, you’ll be getting random gear changes or no gear changes at all. This is another dangerous problem.
Torque converter Problems
The torque convertor can also be problematic on the 6.0 Powerstroke transmission. There are many symptoms of this and they include transmission slipping, shuddering, stalling, overheating, and weird sounds while driving.
Delayed gear changes
This one is a software problem but it is persistent. This can cause delays in the shift times, whether the gearbox is shifting forwards or backward. It ruins the whole performance and can be dangerous on highways and freeways. This issue happens when the transmission computer hangs.
Miscellaneous issues
There are some other 6.0 Powerstroke transmission problems as well. For example, Motor Audit tells you that users face trouble while activating and using Tow/Haul Mode. Other than that, some drivers have faced troubles such as harshness while shifting.
There is one problem that is quite severe but it is largely found in the 2004 model of this transmission. According to Ford-Problems.com, a low gear set pinion shaft can lead to the transmission being contaminated with small metal particles or chippings. These can kill it if they’re not identified in time.
How good is the 5R110 Transmission?
The 5R110 is a great transmission according to its reviews. Its full name is 5R110W Torqshift and it utilizes a computer-controlled adaptive strategy according to Transmissions Olympia. This helps it memorize the owner’s driving habits and prepare a gearshift schedule fit for their driving.
It should be noted that the 5R110 transmission has been known to shift quite smoothly. It brought a sense of refinement to the 6.0 Powerstroke, which is known for many troubles. In addition, it can also handle a lot of power, with experts saying that you can tune your truck to 500 hp without replacing it.
Is the 5R110 transmission reliable?
Yes, the 5R110 is generally a reliable gearbox which is why it can be found in the 6.4 Powerstroke as well. If you skim through the forums online, you’ll find many people recommending it and many even swapping their 7.3 Powerstroke gearboxes for it because of how dependable it is.
The 5R110 was a great replacement for the outgoing 4R100 which had one less gear and was more problematic. Some owners of the 4R100 have even opted to replace it in favor of the 5R110 due to its increased reliability.
Of course, there are some problems with it that are mentioned above but those are not as common as you might think. The number of complaints is quite low when you compare them with the number of 6.0 Powerstroke transmissions out on the road.
What is the 6.0 Powerstroke transmission life expectancy?
According to Vehicle Freak, the 6.0 Powerstroke transmission can last up to 300k miles before needing a replacement. This makes it much more dependable than the 6.0 Powerstroke that it is usually mated to. If you plan on taking this gearbox to such a high mileage, just make sure that you don’t abuse it and that you change the fluid every 25k miles (while also checking for any leakages).