6R140 Valve Body Problems & Solutions

The Ford TorqShift 6 / 6R140 transmission is an advanced 6-speed automatic that was designed for use in Ford’s heavy duty truck applications. It features a number of state-of-the-art features, along with a special torque converter that can be fully applied at very low RPMs. But considering the newness of the design and the severe use characteristics that many of these trucks see, 6R140 valve body problems have started to become quite common. In order to properly fix a 6R140 valve body, it will have to be modified beyond it’s stock form, to compensate for the design flaws that cause all of these problems. Companies like Street Smart Transmission do a good job of modifying the 6R140 valve body (they do things like modify the bores to improve fluid flow and eliminate premature solenoid failure), that way the whole transmission can function the way it was actually intended.

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6R140 Diagnostic Trouble Codes | DTC

6R140 Valve Body Problems

Torque converter problems due to converter limit valve bore damage

Problem – 6R140 torque converter problems are not unusual, and many of them can be caused by excessive wear to the converter limit valve and bore.
Solution – The converter limit valve bore inside of the 6R140 valve body will need to be repaired, or the entire casting will have the be replaced. An upgraded (there are several revised valve designs that will last considerably longer than the OE 6R140 converter limit valve) converter limit valve will also have the be installed.

Numerous transmission functionality problems – caused by forward clutch latch valve bore damage

Problem – Like most valve bodies, the 6R140 valve body is susceptible to bore wear, which can cause all kinds of transmission problems. In this particular instance, damage to the forward clutch latch valve bore can cause issues with the TCM being able to apply and release the forward clutch. When this happens, the following symptoms may occur:

• Delayed gear engagement
• Unusually hard shifts
• Damage to the forward clutches
• Transmission overheating
• Gear ratio DTC codes

Solution – The Ford 6R140 forward clutch latch valve bore will need to be resurfaced (if that is not possible, then the entire 6R140 valve body casting will need to be replaced) and an upgraded forward clutch latch valve installed.

Shifting problems caused by wear in the direct clutch regulator valve bore

Problem – Mileage, maintenance and valve movements can cause significant bore damage, which can lead to many 6R140 valve body problems. Sometimes, the damage can be repaired. However severe use often causes enough damage that the 6R140 valve body casting will have to be replaced. One of the more common areas of concern with the Ford 6R140 valve body has to do with the bore that house is the direct clutch regulator valve. Some of the symptoms associated with this issue include:

• Slipping in 3rd gear
• Slipping in 5th gear
• Slipping in reverse
• Delayed reverse engagement
• Shift flares on the 2-3 upshift
• Shift flares on the 4-5 upshift
• Damage to the direct clutch

Solution – The 6R140 direct clutch regulator valve bore will have to be repaired (if possible), and it upgraded valve installed.

Torque converter functionality problems due to TCC apply regulator boost valve and bore

Problem – Yet another of the common 6R140 valve body problems has to do with excessive wear to the TCC apply regulator valve, boost valve, and bore. Some of the symptoms associated with this condition include:

• TCC slip
• Failed torque converter lockup
• TCC cycling
• Overheating
• Loss of fuel economy and performance
• TCC related DTC codes

Solution – If the TCC applying regulator bore cannot be repaired properly, the entire 6R140 valve body casting will have to be replaced. An upgraded TCC apply regulator valve/boost valve assembly will have to be installed to extend the life of the valve body.

Solving 6R140 valve body problems

The problem with repairing a 6R140 valve body is that you don’t really know what kind of stress and extreme temperature changes they have been subjected to. This is why many people simply install a remanufactured 6R140 valve body, to eliminate the threat of the unknown. Companies like Street Smart Transmission use state of the art equipment to completely remanufacture the valve body. This is not like rebuilding, where new components are simply installed into the existing valve body. They use specialized equipment to analyze each valve body to see if it has been cracked or warped. A mechanic does not just simply eyeball it, a machine does the inspection, and even checks the tensile strength of the metal to make sure that it meets the original OE specification.

Need a replacement transmission? Get an estimate for replacement transmissions and local installation. Look up your transmission model by vehicle make and model.

What Transmission Do I Have?

Once a casting has been selected for the build, all of the bores are modified, to make sure that the valves will function the way they were intended to. Then every single component from the check balls, to the valves, pistons and springs are tested and/or replaced. After that process is complete and quality inspected, they install all new solenoids (they also bench test them prior to installation), speed sensors and pressure switches. The finished product is then put on a Superflow AXILINE Valve Body Tester, which can simulate actual road conditions. This allows their ASE certified techs to verify the functionality, and make any adjustments or fixes before they ship it out to the customer. Street Smart Transmission also gives it a 1-Year/No Hassle Warranty, which makes getting a remanufactured 6R140 valve body almost a no-brainer. To learn more about the remanufactured 6R140 valve body and the remanufacturing process that Street Smart Transmission, give them a call at 1-866-812-7560