Considering a 2002 S-Type 3.0 that's cosmetically very nice. Seems to drive well also. Purchased a Carfax report for it, and back in September, 2014 at 104,230 miles, the report simply states "Transmission Overhaul". The work was done by an Aamco shop in Flagstaff, AZ. The car now has 112,687 miles on it. Is this overhaul a possible tipoff to more transmission problems in the future? Or, is the situation too vague to predict any serious problems to follow?

I am not a DIY guy, so I have really no idea how many types of problems can be fixed or solved by work described as an overhaul.

 

If transmission works OK, there is nothing to worry about, I think.
It would be a good idea to check all codes to make sure there are no transmission codes.

 

"2002" is a tip-off to possible transmission problems in the future. Search "park pawl" and maybe "5R55N" or whatever the Ford transmission model number used in the 2002 and prior models was. Generally considered inferior to the ZF6HP26 fitted to MY2003-on....even though you COULD check the fluid level in the earlier model if you were of a mind to....

 

Very good to know... thanks for the input.

 

No problem and good you got a rebuild. As always we don't know how good it was but if the car is shifting fine I would not worry about it.

Do you have any warranty on the transmission? Most places do give you one.

I have both the Ford 5 speed and the ZF 6 speed in two different cars. Both are good transmissions but the ZF is a much MORE expensive unit to buy or work on. They both have their problem area's too so know what those are.
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Given the fact that pre-2003 S-Types are more susceptible to having transmission issues than later years, is there any preventive actions that can be taken... such as replacing parts or components... that might diminish the chances of having serious or more costly future problems?

 

Yes. For both the 5 speed and the 6 speed. Change the fluid! I don't go over 50K anymore between changes.

Both units were sold as lifetime fill and of course lifetime turned out to be about the warranty period plus a week or so!

I don't change parts unless I have too. I would further add that since the ZF 6 speed has it's own TCM to make sure it has been flashed with the latest software. The Ford 5 speed does not have a TCM.

I have well over 100K miles on both my 5 speed and 6 speed units so they both will last a long time. The ZF has no aftermarket support at all but the Ford 5 speed can be built to whatever level you need. They are pushing 1000+ HP thru them at the drags now.
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I may've been wrong about being able to check the fluid level, then....Tbird, does the 5 speed have a dipstick?

 

No dipstick