ZF Friedrichshafen AG 6 Speed ZF6HP26 & ZF6HP26A Transmission

Quattroporte - Repair manuals English 2012 quattroporte granturismo technical updates.pdf Training Documentation for Maserati Service Network. 2012 English 2004 2012 m139 quattroporte v workshop parts manual.zip Contains 21.jpg files, 75 PDF files. Released by ZF in 2000 the 6HP26 transmission was the first 6 speed automatic to be used in production passenger cars. Normally reserved for high end luxury and sports cars it was in 2005 when Ford Australia released the transmission into there Falcon and Territory range of vehicles. The German manufacturer ZF Friedrichshafen AG or who's more commonly known as just 'ZF', built the 6HP26 in the early 2000's for use in a wide variety of vehicle makes like BMW, Ford, Hundai, Jaguar, Land Rover and Lincoln. This transmission has an extremely unique design that allows the torque converter to lock in all gears except for reverse. RevMax brings you the best ZF 6HP19 / 6HP26 Rebuilt, Updated Transmission Valve Body, the high quality computer dyno tested valve body.

Released by ZF in 2000 the 6HP26 transmission was the first 6 speed automatic to be used in production passenger cars. Normally reserved for high end luxury and sports cars it was in 2005 when Ford Australia released the transmission into there Falcon and Territory range of vehicles. With manufactures now looking to add more speed to there transmissions Kia & Hyundai are now using this transmission in the Kia Mohave & Hyundai Genesis V8.

Transmission Codes
6HP26 – Rear Wheel Drive
6HP26A – All Wheel Drive

Common Problems
This is a very well designed & built transmission and reliability is very good, However there are many external issues which cause damage to the internals of these transmissions which can be avoided.

Know Problems With Fords
Both Ford Falcons & Territory’s suffer from water entering through the heat exchanger which is known as the dreaded “Transmission Milk Shake”. This will require a full rebuild as the water raises the boiling point and melts the adhesive holding the friction material to the clutch plates. It also lowers the Hydraulic Effiency causing clutch slippage which leades to burnt out clutch packs.

Known Problems With BMW
As these are known to be a sealed transmission it is highly recommended to have these serviced. BMW’s have had these since 2000 which means the transmission would have done may kms on the same oil. As oil does go off and add many years of wear and tear floating through the oil it all comes together to start causing issues with shifting etc. Getting in early with a service will help prolong the transmission so your not hit with a large rebuild cost.

Service Information
The 6HP26 requires a special oil from ZF there are some oil manufactures that claim there fluid will work however unless its documented that it will work its recommended to use ZF oil. Now vehicle manufactures claim that the transmission is a “fill for life” or “Sealed Gearbox” however with research we have done we have found that ZF claim the Lifeguard 6 fluid is rated to 62,000 miles. See below details

“ZF Lifeguard Fluid, a high-performance lubricant specially engineered by ZF, gives customers a perfectly matched product. The transmission fluid reduces material wear, vibrations and noise for smoother shifting, extended maintenance intervals (100,000 km/62,000 miles), and maximum fuel savings.”

Transmission Rebuilders recommend servicing these transmissions every 60,000kms or 36 Months which every accrues first. It is also recommended on models with a one piece plastic sump to be converted with the more common steel sump with removable filter. The conversion cost about $70AUD more but then you will be saving $70 every service after that as you only need a filter and gasket rather than a complete sump.

Recommended Oil by Transmission Manufacture
ZF-LifeGuard Fluid 6
1 Litre (Part No: S671 090 255)
20 Litre (Part No: S671 090 253)
205 Litre (Part No: S671 090 252)

Zf6hp26 Rebuild Manual

Recommended by Oil Manufacture (Please check each oil company’s website before use)

• Fuchs – 4134 Fluid
• Liqui Moly – TOP TEC ATF 1800 Fluid
• Nulon – SYNATF Fluid
• Gulf Western – SYNTRANS Fluid
• Phoenix Lubricants – PX TRANSMATIC-LV Fluid

Oil Capacity
Dry Fill Capacity – 9.4 Litres (Not including Cooling System)
Service Fill Capacity – 4.5 Litres (Give or take 1/2 Litre)
Cooling System Capacity 0.5 – 1.5 Litre (Depending on Setup)

Fluids which cause Damage
Penrite ATF SYN Automatic Transmission fluid was recommended for this transmission however in December 2010 Penrite released a statement to all customers stating that ATF SYN would no longer cover this transmission. Some workshops who continued to used the oil have reported the industry where it caused clutch squawk on shifting. (Download a PDF Version of Penrite’s Statement Here PENRITE ATF DEVELOPMENTS)

Foreward

Use the right fluid. ZF Lifeguard Fluid 6 (Shell M1375.4), or the proven equivalent Ford Mercon SP. It has been stated by RRPhil who rebuilds transmissions that is imperative to use ZF 6HP specific fluid. The easiest and cheapest option is to buy Mercon SP which is the Fluid Ford designated for use with the ZF 6HP derived transmissions in Ford vehicles. I have used Mercon SP for over 40,000 miles. Even with the right fluid it will be important to drive the car in such a manner for the transmission to learn the new friction properties. It is important to note that I do not neccisarily advocate for resetting adaptations it is still imperative to drive like you have for the transmission to process the parameters it measures with the new fluid.

Procedure

1)Remove Oil Filler Plug (T50)
2) Remove Oil Drain Plug and Replace Plug after all transmission oil runs out.
3) With the engine stopped and the transmission in Park position, remove the oil filler plug. Add
transmission fluid until a small stream of oil runs out.
4) Insert the filler plug and tighten by hand. Start the engine.
5) With the engine running, remove the oil filler plug and add transmission fluid until a small stream of oil
runs out . Insert the filler plug and tighten by hand.
6) The transmission fluid temperature must be between 30°C and 35°C before checking can begin.
Use test equipment to determine the trans temperature or use an infrared thermal gun aimed at the oil stream or bottom of pan
7) The vehicle must be level with engine running at idle speed and air conditioning turned on.
8) Step on the brakes firmly, apply parking brake f ully and shif t to D and R, bri efly pausing in each
position before shifting back to the Park position.
9) Wit h the engine running at idle speed and the selector in Park position, remove the filler plug. Monitor
the transmission temperature, if a small stream of oil runs out at 40°C, the fluid level is correct.
10) If no oil runs out when the filler plug is removed, the fluid level is too low and oil needs to be added
until it overflows.
11) With engine running, install the oil filler plug and tighten to proper torque.

Zf6hp26 Repair Manual Pdf

Shifting Adaptations:

Executing the following is highly recommended after a fluid change for improved shifting quality:

• Vehicle should be at normal operating temperature, transmission shifter in normal mode not sports.
• Accelerate from a rest through the gears on a moderate throttleuntil 6thgear is engaged (about 55mph).
• 0001Release throttle and allow car to coast down almost to a halt, do not use the brake until the car is at walking pace (if the brake is used at any time whilst the transmission is above 2nd gear the adaption process for this cycle will be aborted).
• Note: using a slight uphill gradient will help the car slow much quicker. If traffic conditions necessitate the use of the brakes during theacceleration or coasting process the cycle will have to be repeated.
• Hold foot on brake for 15 seconds once car has come to a halt.
  0001Repeat this process a total of 5 times

2-1 Tip in Thump

• Vehicle should be at normal operating temperature, transmission shifter in normal mode not sports.
• accelerate gently to 15 MPH
• Briskly Decelerate using ample braking power until 1 MPH
• “Rapidly” Accelerate using 50%-75% throttle
• Repeat the process a total of 6 times

Checking Fluid without a thermal Gun:

Dave Tallant, who always did a great job on my 4.6, has put up the best explanation for at home mechanics/enthusiasts to check the ZF 6HP26 Transmission fluid level; which, has always been a bit lets say specific, official ZF 6HP26 fluid level checking procedure calls for filling the transmission between 40-50 degrees C, in other words no higher than 50.

Mercon SP is developed by ford for use in the Jaguar LR 6hp26, which is useful considering its available and cheap. Here is the LR3 Transmission Drain & Refill Procedure and a general ZF 6 speed trouble shooting guide

In Dave’s Words (but my formatting):

“On the 6 speed, it can be done up to 50*C, but I prefer cooler. Best way to do it is just first thing in the morning, and be quick about it.

With the truck cold, go under and crack the fill plug loose, but don’t remove. Have fluid and some sort of pump ready in case you need to top off. Start the truck, let it idle for about a minute in P. Get under and remove the fill plug, there should be a small stream coming out. If not, top off until there is, and put the plug back in. Don’t take more then 5 minutes for the whole thing after starting it, as the fluid heats up pretty quickly.”

Dave Tallant has since moved to

301.656.5651