Changing tranny fluid

[John Suter]

Hi Jay and welcome Bob,

Couple things we should mention "when" you change to
synthetics (in both your transmission and your engine,
and even if you don't). Many of the Allison
transmission models have more than one filter which
may require dropping the pan to locate.
Additionally, to achieve the full benefits from
synthetics requires purging the system of the old
non-synthetics and that may take one or more cycles of
somewhat shortened usage, in the absence of a complete
pressure purge.

Most importantly,
"More potential damage can occur from an over-filled
transmission, than an under-filled one" (cite: Allison
engineers, FMCA & Bluebird RIV seminars, numerous
years).

Upon refilling the system after drain, use the
minimum "cold" dipstick mark to achieve the initial
oil refill before starting the engine. Warm the
transmission temps to above 140 degrees in neutral at
normal idle. Cycle through Drive, Neutral, Reverse,
Neutral, Drive several times to purge trapped air
before checking "hot" dipstick mark for final "topping
off." If your transmission model is equipped with the
"electronic dipstick," you can perform these checks
from the driver's area.

Enjoy,

John Suter
2000LXi and previous PT40's


--- Jay Darst wrote:

> Bob,
>
> By all means, change to Synthetic.
>
> The correct and recomended fluid is Castrol
> Transynd. It is actually
> manufactured by BP(British Petroleum, the same BP
> stations you see
> all over the US). You may save yourself some money
> as the "Castrol"
> name plate is expensive. I have a 5 gallon bucket of
> " BP Autran Syn
> 295 " with a part# 709707. Paid $139.90 for it. This
> is the EXACT
> same stuff. BP makes it and Castrol markets it under
> their label.
> (I have a very good friend in the petro business who
> is also very
> well connected)
>
> Because of the trans retarder producing severe heat
> and the fact
> that the MTB654CR is rated for only 300HP and 950
> Ft.Lbs. of torque,
> it is my opinion that you need to take EVERY
> precaution you can to
> prolong the life of your transmission.
>
> Here is an article I found...
>
> April 3, 2001 - Oklahoma City - Since Allison
> Transmission
> introduced it in June 1999, the synthetic automatic
> transmission
> fluid (ATF) TranSynd has proven itself in demanding
> motorhome
> applications.
>
> TranSynd, a co-branded ATF exclusively formulated
> by Castrol for
> use in heavy-duty Allison Automatic Transmissions,
> extends oil drain
> intervals for Allison automatic transmissions by up
> to 300%.
>
> A nonretarder-equipped motorhome using 100%
> TranSynd can enjoy
> Allison's recommended general duty interval at
> 100,000 miles between
> oil changes. Severe duty motorhome applications
> using 100% TranSynd
> can achieve 50,000 miles between oil changes. In
> either
> applications, operators will get the substantial
> benefits of fewer
> oil changes compared any other fluid recommended by
> Allison for
> general or severe duty.
>
> "Today's transmissions operate at higher
> temperatures and in far
> more demanding conditions than in the past," says
> Lynn Gibboney,
> manager of Tactical Marketing for Allison
> Transmission. "TranSynd
> offers as much as four times longer oil drain
> intervals compared
> with other automatic transmission fluids. In
> addition, the product
> reduces fleet costs relating to maintenance, labor,
> filter
> replacement and oil disposal."
>
> TransSynd extends oil change guidelines for Allison
> transmissions
> to 100,000 miles/48 months for general duty and
> 50,000 miles/24
> months for severe duty. This compares to recommended
> changes for
> conventional transmission fluids of 12,000 miles/6
> months for severe
> duty and 25,000 miles/12 months for general duty.
> TranSynd, which
> is designed for use in most medium- and heavy-duty
> automatic
> transmissions, also reduces maintenance cycles,
> increasing vehicle
> up-time and fleet revenue.
>
> Engineered for Allison Transmission by Castrol,
> TranSynd
> dramatically extends drain intervals and lowers
> maintenance costs.
> While TranSynd brings value to all motorhomes, it
> is especially
> beneficial for use in those neededing a long
> lasting, proven ATF
> solution.
>
> Because TranSynd functions within wider operating
> temperature
> ranges, it is ideal for use year-round in all
> climates. TranSynd
> also is much more resistant to thermal breakdown
> than other fluids.
> This ensures superior protection of transmission
> components and
> extended fluid and transmission life.
>
> TranSynd is not subject to the degradative
> properties of most
> conventional fluids. In fact, in fleet test studies
> the product has
> demonstrated dramatic performance over other ATFs in
> severe
> applications. Perhaps most impressively, this
> includes an extension
> of oil drain intervals by 300% and a reduction of
> fleet maintenance
> hours by 75%.
>
> Tests have shown significant operational benefits of
> TranSynd over
> other products. These include:
>
> Superior wear resistance
>
>
> Greatly extended drain intervals
>
> Superior protection of transmission components
>
> Dramatic oxidation reduction
>
> Far less sheardown
>
> Significantly improved viscosity stability
>
> Improved shift quality
>
> Extended transmission life
>
> Considerably reduced overall transmission life
> cycle costs
>
> Lower fleet operating and maintenance expenses
>
> TranSynd is bringing a whole new level of
> functionality and
> performance to motorhome applications, one that is
> enabling
> motorhome automatic transmissions to operate more
> efficiently,
> productively, and for significantly less cost.
>
> TranSynd meets the Allison TES-295 Transmission
> Fluid Specification
> for Severe Duty and Extended Drain Intervals. The
> product is also
> approved to the General Motors DEXRONb IIIG
> Specification.
>
> For more information, sales literature and spec
> sheets, contact your
> Allison distributor, authorized dealer, visit us at
> http://www.allisontransmission.com, or fax your request to
> Allison
> Transmission at 1-800-252-5ATD, or write Allison
> Transmission, P.O.
> Box 894, Speed Code PF8, Indianapolis, IN 46206-0894
>
> Allison Transmission is the world's leading
> designer, manufacturer
> and seller of medium- and heavy-duty automatic
> transmissions for
> trucks, buses, off-road and military vehicles and
> RVs.
>
> Welp, there you have it!
> Jay Darst
> 85PT40 6V92 and MTB654CR
> Springfield, IL
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Bob
> Lawrence"
> wrote:
> >
> > Hi guys,
> > Want to get your feeling about changing the tranny
> fluid.
> > My bird has 130k on it and I don't find any
> records of the
> previous 3
> > owners changing the fluid.
> > Since we live in our bird fulltime and maybe take
> a trip once
> every
> > other month for a 3 dayer, no problem.
> > This Fri I'm going to get the oil changed (5k on
> engine rebuild)
> and
> > change the tranny fluid.
> > We will be traveling fulltime in 18 months and
> want to know if we
> > should change to synthetics.
> > I have notice the tranny temp gauge going up in
> stop and go
> traffic
> > and I have read the synthetics cut down on the
> heat factor.
> > Is it worth the expense ($8.00 a quart)and how
> long does it last
> > before needing rechanging?
> > Should I just stay with the conventional stuff in
> there now
> (changing
> > it out, of course).
> > What think you?
> >
> > Bob Lawrence
> > 84 pt36
> > Tacky Tacoma, Wa. with 556 days till fulltiming on
> the road.
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>


__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com