allison md3060 fluid never changed in 107k

[hbrown]

I have a 2000 tradewinds with 6 speed allison,and 300 cat with 107,000

the previous owner took really good care and great maintenance of every thing with records EXCEPT the transmission i even called the previous 1 owner and he said he saw no use to change its fluid till 100 k so never did.

the motor was serviced every 6k but why not ever service transmission

my question is should i service it, or let it ride till something gives

i have only put about 300 miles so far and the trans has worked flawlessly and the fluid is full, no burned smell and sorta still pink.

if recommended to change, do i take the opportunity to upgrade to transynd fluid, or leave well alone and put dextron 3 back in as it is use to it?

do i change filters, or leave in and swap only fluid? i have changed out high mileage fluid in regular transmissions and had them fail a short time later due to flushing all the junk out that kept it together

thanks for any help, just fear i may be in for major repairs if i let slide, or change fluid now.

howard

[jimkate]

Automatic transmission fluid deteriorates over time, and should be changed regularly to avoid transmission problems.

If it was mine, I would change the oil and the filters. If it was mine, I would make the move to Transyd.

[Mr_D]

Dexron is no longer a product licensed by GM and as such Allison has removed it from the "approved" list.
I changed to Transynd over the first three years we had the rig. Takes 2 full fluid/filter changes, Allison says NOT to use a fluid exchange machine to do the change, only the two filter/fluid changes.
Here's the link to the latest Service Tip
Change to TranSynd and be done with it.

[1ciderdog]

Howard
You'll probably get a lot of opinions so I'll give you my 2 cents worth. If it were me I'd change the filters and refill with Dextron III. That was the approved fluid when the transmission was built and (to me) that should be good enough. I don't think I would go to the additional expense of transynd at this point in time since you won't have a warranty issue.
Safe Travels
Bob

[Mr_D]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1ciderdog Howard You'll probably get a lot of opinions so I'll give you my 2 cents worth. If it were me I'd change the filters and refill with Dextron III. That was the approved fluid when the transmission was built and (to me) that should be good enough. I don't think I would go to the additional expense of transynd at this point in time since you won't have a warranty issue. Safe Travels Bob

What I posted was NOT "an opinion", it's what Allison has published and exactly why I put the link in to the Allison Service Tip.

Since Dexron is no longer licensed by GM a "manufacturer" can take any fluid and label it as Dexron or meeting Dexron specs. There's no longer any quality control by GM or anyone else. So you don't know what you're getting.

No such thing as "Dextron", it's Dexron and always has been.

[1ciderdog]

WOW! Thank you for correcting my spelling. I do stand by my opinion.
Safe Travels
Bob

[Cat320]

Call Allison with your trans serial number and the information you have noted here. My manual says to change the fluid/filters at four years or 300,000 miles. When I called Allison the tech said I can exceed those numbers as long as the fluid is tested and comes back okay.

[jimkate]

I got in the same situation with a Ford pickup truck. I learned that in 100,000 miles the previous owner had never changed the transmission oil. Shortly after that, the transmission failed - wouldn't shift properly, and I was ready to spend a lot of money.

A friend of mine who rebuilds transmissions took one look at the oil, changed the oil and the filter, and that transmission has worked great ever since. It now has about 200,000 miles on it.

That's when I learned the hard lesson that transmission oil, although it may look O.K. on the dipstick, does deteriorate over time, and does need to be changed fairly regularly.

What oil you decide to use is your personal choice, but new oil is certainly preferred over what's in your transmission right now.

[hbrown]

thanks to all the replies on this tough one. I think i have to gamble and replace the fluid and change the filters.

my gut says got to change reguardless of what an oil sample says. so just do it. LOL

now my concerns on DEXRON ( hope its spelled right) vs transynd.

my gut says to use dexron since it has been in it for 100k and no leaks so why gamble a leak or incompatiblity with what 100 k has done to clutches, BUT worried as noted above about the new dexron not meeting the old guidlines on quality and may leak or screw up whats left of clutches.

on the other hand, sound like transsynd is the way to go as far as updating the quality of oil, just dont want any more damage than whats already done.

guess i need to see cost wise how many quarts i need to change, and the price per qt of dexron vs transynd.

again thanks to all for valued input. this is my first rv and i am broke for a while now LOL so gotta stretch my service life on the rv with good choice maintenance.

thanks howard

[Mike Canter]

If I remember correctly one of the main problems with using today's Dexron is the incompatibility with the seals used by Allison. I do not think today's Dexron version is the same as what was used by Allison in 2000. I believe that Allison found that the seals were going bad in long term use and therefore that is why Allison now says not to use Dexron anymore.

[edgray]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hbrown thanks to all the replies on this tough one. I think i have to gamble and replace the fluid and change the filters...... now my concerns on DEXRON ( hope its spelled right) vs transynd. ...guess i need to see cost wise how many quarts i need to change, and the price per qt of dexron vs transynd.... thanks howard

Howard: several members here have tried to warn you against using Dexron...and for good reason. Dexron III is what came in your tranny, but is no longer licensed by GM and therefore what ever product you may find today that is labeled Dexron III may NOT be the same as the original fluid. The new stuff that IS licensed by GM is labeled Dexron VI, and Allison has warned against using Dex 6 because it WILL CAUSE seal damage and lead to other problems. Allsion had to change the seals in later model year trannys to accomodate the new Dex 6 fluid.

Yes, TranSynd is relatively expensive at ~$32.00 per gallon, and you will need several gallons to change you fluid "once". The recommendation is to change it, drive it a few miles, and change it again to achieve a near 100% content of TranSynd in your tranny. Obviously the filters should also be changed. Since you have a concern about fresh fluid causing "stuff" to break loose, you may want to consider doing just the single drain and refill, plus filter change, and run it that way for a while before doing the second fluid change. That way "maybe" the lower concentration of TranSynd will not have the purgative effect you fear.

Do your self a favor and change to TranSynd, or one of the other approved fluids meeting the Allison TES-295 standard, ASAP. The other brand names of TES-295 approved fluid are listed on the Allison website.

The ONLY other alternatives are to find another fluid meeting Allison TES-389 standard (subsitute for Dex 3) or simply do nothing (which is not a good idea).

Whatever you decide, DO NOT put Dexron VI (6) in your older Allison.
Ed

[Smitty77]

At that age with no previous changes. Do go in and get it flushed and changed over to Transynd. Spend the extra, and do it all at once, and get it behind you.

Then go enjoy your new rig and do normal maintenance...

Have fun, be safe,
Smitty

[1ciderdog]

I think it would be interesting to hear what the "Allison Tech" that is or was on this net has to say about older transmissions and dexron.
Safe Travels
Bob

[hooverbill]

Don't use your gut and don't listen to us, either call the Allison number or ask the Allison tech in this forum. You are obviously very concerned, go to the guy that knows for sure.