Allison 4000, Dexron III/Transynd

[Lloyd in S.C.]

Hi!

Thought maybe its a good idea to carry a few quarts of transmission fluid with us,,, ye never know.

Looked in the book, says Transynd or Dexron III. Already had some Dexron in the shop, that was easy! Was checking the fluids to day and there is a sticker near the transmission dipstick that says, Refill with Transynd Only!

Of course Transynd is harder to get. Follow the book? Follow the sticker?

L.

[TurtleKent]

Don't do it... it's an expensive mistake to flush the Dexron out of the trans. Spend a couple of evenings reading the 825 posts in this thread to better understand. http://www.irv2.com/forums/f125/form...eer-89293.html

[Dutch Star Don]

Lloyd......follow the sticker and buy a gallon of Transynd if you want some on hand. It's about $50.00 a gallon.

As a side note, I bought some to service the trans years ago and had a couple of quarts left oil, so I put them in quart bottles and marked them. They were hidden in a storage area for 6 years on the last coach 18 months on the new coach. I've never had an Allison need oil.

[Rich-n-Linda]

What is missing here in the answer is that you can use either Transynd or Dexron III in the transmission, but you cannot MIX them. Your transmission was filled with Transynd when the chassis was built, thus the sticker.

Go buy that gallon of Transynd.


2006 Mandalay 40E, Cummins ISL 400 HP

[FIRE UP]

Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don

Lloyd......follow the sticker and buy a gallon of Transynd if you want some on hand. It's about $50.00 a gallon.

As a side note, I bought some to service the trans years ago and had a couple of quarts left oil, so I put them in quart bottles and marked them. They were hidden in a storage area for 6 years on the last coach 18 months on the new coach. I've never had an Allison need oil.

Hey Don,
I thought I was the only one who stored a couple of extra quarts of Transynd for a few years and a zillion miles without needing it. Guess not
Scott

[2 Stroker]

I just went to Brattain International in Portland and got 5 gallons of Fleetrite Synthetic and a set of filters, nothing about Dexron 3 here
The price has went up, now $55 a gallon
On-Highway Fluids
2 stroker

[CountryFit]

Originally Posted by 2 Stroker

I just went to Brattain International in Portland and got 5 gallons of Fleetrite Synthetic and a set of filters, nothing about Dexron 3 here
The price has went up, now $55 a gallon
On-Highway Fluids
2 stroker

two years ago, i bought fleetrite from dion international trucks in san marcos, ca and filled/drained 3 times to change it over. i remember it was $36 a gallon. looks like inflation is everywhere

[OB-One]

These transmissions don't consume transmission fluid so there really is no reason to carry it with you. Check the level using the pad, not the dipstick.

[Lloyd in S.C.]

Thanks guys! Transynd it is. Odd that the Allison manual would state either. I will follow the sticker.

Also sounds like I need not worry about carrying any. That is really good to hear. However if you ever did need it, your not going to find any locally.

Gonna check the truck stops along our way. Perhaps the big trucks use it as well? I know automatics are more and more popular.

Thanks again!

L.

[dbarton291]

Originally Posted by Lloyd in S.C.

Thanks guys! Transynd it is. Odd that the Allison manual would state either. I will follow the sticker.

Also sounds like I need not worry about carrying any. That is really good to hear. However if you ever did need it, your not going to find any locally.

Gonna check the truck stops along our way. Perhaps the big trucks use it as well? I know automatics are more and more popular.

Thanks again!

L.

The manual says either is acceptable because they are. Only thing is you must have an older manual because Dexron III is now Dexron VI. Only difference is you have to change Dexron or a TES389 equivalent more often. TranSynd, or any TES295 equivalent is synthetic and doesn't need to be changed as often. There is a thread on here from the retired Allison oil guy that will turn you on to oil analysis and save you changing the fluid when it's not necessary.
The sticker gets put on a vehicle when the OEM fills the transmission with TranSynd. You can mix the two in an emergency but it's best not to. The synthetic is by far the better fluid due to its increased sheer strength and other properties.

[esaulten]

If Tom is still viewing posts I have a question. Not to steal your thread but after 8 years 35000 miles Allison 4000 with retarder fluid was changed. I did so out of guilt as there was no apparent wear at 20000 miles with analysis. The change uses over 30 quarts in total with filters. trans pad reads Ok when tested after change. what do you think? OK or potential problems later.

[tbbg II]

Originally Posted by esaulten

If Tom is still viewing posts I have a question. Not to steal your thread but after 8 years 35000 miles Allison 4000 with retarder fluid was changed. I did so out of guilt as there was no apparent wear at 20000 miles with analysis. The change uses over 30 quarts in total with filters. trans pad reads Ok when tested after change. what do you think? OK or potential problems later.

I don't understand the question? If you changed the fluid, you should be good to go. Although 30 quarts sounds a bit low for a 4000. I think the manual saiys 39 with both filters.

[hzjcm8]

Originally Posted by Lloyd in S.C.

Hi!

Thought maybe its a good idea to carry a few quarts of transmission fluid with us,,, ye never know.

Looked in the book, says Transynd or Dexron III. Already had some Dexron in the shop, that was easy! Was checking the fluids to day and there is a sticker near the transmission dipstick that says, Refill with Transynd Only!

Of course Transynd is harder to get. Follow the book? Follow the sticker?

L.

FOLLOW THE BOOK. You will only degrade the TranSynd by topping it off with any DEXRON-III fluid (or D3/M as they're typically sold in today's market). TranSynd is designed to resist thinning out over time. If you add an older DEXRON-III formulation, then it will begin to thin out over time because of the older technology. Hope this helps !!!

[hzjcm8]

Originally Posted by esaulten

If Tom is still viewing posts I have a question. Not to steal your thread but after 8 years 35000 miles Allison 4000 with retarder fluid was changed. I did so out of guilt as there was no apparent wear at 20000 miles with analysis. The change uses over 30 quarts in total with filters. trans pad reads Ok when tested after change. what do you think? OK or potential problems later.

No need to change the fluid unless the analysis says there's something wrong. We (Allison Engineering) ran TranSynd in city buses and garbage trucks (worst possible duty) for many many miles and many many hours. TranSynd is absolutely stable against oxidation or shearing (thinning out). It's designed to run up to 300,000 miles in RVs with Allison High Capacity filters and 3000/4000 Series transmissions and up to 150,000 miles in RVs with the 1000/2000 Series.

Hope this helps !!!

Here's something you may want to read: Automatic Transmission Fluid Analysis | JG LUBRICANT SERVICES