Stuck...

[HamboneTHW]

Well, if it wasn’t for bad luck, I don’t think I’d have any. We were headed from Memphis to Fort Worth on the first leg of our move. Stopped around Texarkana for fuel and food. After pulling around to a spot to eat, I decided to do a walk around, and very glad I did. Found Transmission fluid EVERYWHERE (rear cap, all over our toad, on the ground). Check the transmission fluid via the panel and it showed 6 quarts low. As chance would have it, it was getting dark, so I haven’t been able to isolate the leak. Nothing leaks when the coach isn’t running, but it is legitimately all over everything, so isolating has been a fun process so far.

I suspect where the top hose goes into the transmission cooler on the front side of the radiator. That hose is really high. Any tips and trips to get at it to try to tighten the fittings on that hose?

Tried calling two diesel shops that advertise 24 hours with no luck.

If I am able to get the leak isolated and fixed, can I get by on regular ATF to get us the rest of the way to FTW?

Thanks in advance.

[jwrober]

Without much to go on, my guess is either that hose or another has busted or a seal on the tranny itself has blown. Hoping or the prior, not the later. If the prior you will have to replace. Cutting old hose out is easiest on way to repair.

Transmission fluid is transmission fluid as far as I know, so you should be fine one the leak is fixed to filler up and head out.

On-the-road repairs suck. Wishing you some luck!

[96 Wideglide]

Originally Posted by jwrober

Transmission fluid is transmission fluid as far as I know,

Not in an Allison it's not!

[HamboneTHW]

Originally Posted by 96 Wideglide

Not in an Allison it's not!

So it needs to be Transynd?

[Mr_D]

Dexron III was the fluid originally approved for the 3000 and 4000 MH. It could still be used in an emergency, but you would need the two drain and refill with TranSynd or other TES-295 fluid to correct it after repairs.

[96 Wideglide]

Originally Posted by HamboneTHW

So it needs to be Transynd?

If it came filled with Transynd, you really don't want to add anything else.
You 'can' add compatible ATF, but miles between service intervals is greatly reduced.

[winniman]

My rv only has a 5.9, but has the 3000 tranny. It is on a freightliner chassis. The two tranny lines on mine are very large hoses, probably 1 1/4" or bigger. The transmission cooler on mine is under the radiator, so it should be accessible from below. We replaced mine with hydraulic hoses. We just took the two lines to a shop, and had them fabricate new ones the same. Mine were not leaking, but they were looking pretty shoddy. Get some brake clean, and clean the general area. It might help to locate the leak. Good luck.

[Birddog Pilot]

Hambone, if indeed your initial assessment of the possible leak source may be the upper transmission oil cooler fitting on the front radiator tank I recently had a very minor seepage at this fitting repaired. My leak was so minor that it didn't result in even a drip, just enough wetness to accumulate a little damp grimy slime down the face of the tank. Last June Cummins Northwest at Coburg, OR while replacing a leaking hydraulic fan motor also removed and cleaned the fitting and threads, applied new sealant, and put it all back together which resolved the leak. That all sounds easy, but to get at the fitting the technician found about the only practical way to access the fitting was with the fan, fan bracket/shroud removed. There might be a way to get at that fitting with offset wrenches, and or a crowsfoot attached to an extension, but it is going to be tight with the fan shroud in the way.

[HamboneTHW]

Originally Posted by Birddog Pilot

Hambone, if indeed your initial assessment of the possible leak source may be the upper transmission oil cooler fitting on the front radiator tank I recently had a very minor seepage at this fitting repaired. My leak was so minor that it didn't result in even a drip, just enough wetness to accumulate a little damp grimy slime down the face of the tank. Last June Cummins Northwest at Coburg, OR while replacing a leaking hydraulic fan motor also removed and cleaned the fitting and threads, applied new sealant, and put it all back together which resolved the leak. That all sounds easy, but to get at the fitting the technician found about the only practical way to access the fitting was with the fan, fan bracket/shroud removed. There might be a way to get at that fitting with offset wrenches, and or a crowsfoot attached to an extension, but it is going to be tight with the fan shroud in the way.

Birddog, I agree. I tried to see if there was any way to get a wrench in there. I think the scariest thing is that I can’t isolate it without putting the coach in gear to get the fluid pumping.

I have a mobile tech on the way right now; Lord knows what that will cost. We’ll see what he thinks...

[rrthor]

Tommy didn't you recently have your radiator replaced. Good chance it's just a loose fitting. Friend of mine was able to get to his upper fitting with a crows foot.

[HamboneTHW]

I did, I had them replace hoses as well. Turns out that the top line going into the transmission cooler had a faulty crimp. The mechanic was able to get under there with me running the coach and spotted it quickly. They have removed the hose and are having a new one made tomorrow morning. They will replace it and OPTEST as soon as it is complete.

I don’t know what it’s going to cost total, but the Transynd will be $200 by itself.

[winniman]

Sorry, didn't see you had an Alpine. I must have missed that detail.

[HamboneTHW]

So... $850 later, I have a new transmission line, a protected line that was rubbing that could have created a problem, 3 gallons of Transynd in the transmission and a spare gallon in the storage compartment; we have made it to FTW. Second leg starts on Wednesday or Thursday...