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Toby · 06-06-2005, 04:31 PM

Just got back from a trip to Jacksonville to have them reprogram my Workhorse computer (recall). We Then took our 2004 HR on a W-22 frame to Detroit Dsl/Allison dealer to have the transmission fluid changed. Like I was led to believe that I needed to do from the info at the 2005 FMCA Rally workshop. (I changed the filter myself at 5000 miles as required.) When I got to the DD/A dealer, the tech told me I already had Transyn xmission fluid installed at the factory. They have been installing the transyn since 2001/2002. So that saved me about $250

BUT, Here's a kicker. The xmission tech ( he has over 40 years experience) asked me if I had any electrical welding done at the Chevy dealer. I told him no. He said good thing. He just got thru replacing an Allison computer due to someone not disconnecting the batteries before they performed electrical welding.
( The one he replaced was due to someone welding a new muffler pipe and not disconnecting the batteries.) Word of advice. make sure a repairman knows about this tidbit of information before they do any welding on your MH. s/Toby

Toby · 06-06-2005, 04:31 PM

Just got back from a trip to Jacksonville to have them reprogram my Workhorse computer (recall). We Then took our 2004 HR on a W-22 frame to Detroit Dsl/Allison dealer to have the transmission fluid changed. Like I was led to believe that I needed to do from the info at the 2005 FMCA Rally workshop. (I changed the filter myself at 5000 miles as required.) When I got to the DD/A dealer, the tech told me I already had Transyn xmission fluid installed at the factory. They have been installing the transyn since 2001/2002. So that saved me about $250

BUT, Here's a kicker. The xmission tech ( he has over 40 years experience) asked me if I had any electrical welding done at the Chevy dealer. I told him no. He said good thing. He just got thru replacing an Allison computer due to someone not disconnecting the batteries before they performed electrical welding.
( The one he replaced was due to someone welding a new muffler pipe and not disconnecting the batteries.) Word of advice. make sure a repairman knows about this tidbit of information before they do any welding on your MH. s/Toby

edgray · 06-08-2005, 06:05 PM

Originally posted by TOBY:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">When I got to the DD/A dealer, the tech told me I already had Transyn xmission fluid installed at the factory. They have been installing the transyn since 2001/2002. So that saved me about $250 </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Toby, I really hate to "rain on your parade",

but I'm concerned your TECH was only partially correct. It is true that ALLISON fills the tranny with TranSynd before shipping them to their chassis building customers. UNFORTUNATELY, the chassis builders are responsible for completely filling the tranny after it (and it's associated hoses, coolers, etc) are installed in the frame. MOST chassis builders were only using Dextron III, as it was much cheaper. In fact, Workhorse just announced that STARTING APRIL 7, 2005, they would begin using TranSynd as the final fill. Therefore, the bad news is that you PROBABLY have Dextron III in yours. Unless the TECH you use has some means of verifying his statement about 100% TranSynd in yours, I'm afraid the prudent course of action would be to assume it is NOT, and stick to the recommended change interval for NON_Transynd applications. OR, you could do what a lot of us have done-bite the bullet and do the drain and refill to be SURE you are 100% TranSynd. Good luck, ED

Doug Polzin · 06-10-2005, 07:05 AM

One thing that concerns me is that many shops, including Allison, just drain the tranny, change the filters and refill to the full mark. They feel it is OK to leave the old and sometimes contaminated oil that is in the converter to blend in with the new oil. They wouldn't change 3/4 of the engine oil and leave several qts of dirty oil to blend in, but somehow it's OK in the transmission that is more suseptable to contaminants. We own our own power changer, and have been changing all of our trannys for several years. Maybe it's not necessary, but it makes good sense to us to change all of the oil.

Doug

Catdave · 06-10-2005, 08:19 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">We own our own power changer, and have been changing all of our trannys for several years. Maybe it's not necessary, but it makes good sense to us to change all of the oil.
Doug </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Just remember- unless you're draining the torque converter at the same time you're only doing a partial change too.

Dave

Toby · 06-10-2005, 10:36 AM

Thanks for the info. I think you are right about the xmission oil. I talked to a WH rep and he said it was DIII oil. I sent WH an email yesterday and told them of the differing opinions and asked them to give me a for sure answer. I also asked them if there is a test that I could do to determine the type of oil. No reply yet.

It's interesting about the oil pump. I talked to 3 different truck xmission shops and they all told me that a pump will not work. Although I saw a post earlier that said he had done a pump. Also, I asked the Allison tech about the internal filter and he said they do not mess with this filter unless it is an overhaul.

Our 2004 MH is still over in Jax, waiting to get a manifold replaced. The part is supposed to arrive today, but the WH Tech went on Maternity leave--for two weeks. Bummer. I told the rep that the wait would not acceptable and to find someone else. We'll see Monday.

We were planniong a camping trip this weekend to the Suwannee River SP, (with our un-retired friends who have to camp on the weekends) but with the tropical storm coming and no Motor Home, guess we'll stay honm and watch it rain s/Toby

DonavonP · 06-10-2005, 11:57 AM

Toby, I think your heads up on the welding is worth repeating. On my MH before this Winnebago, I asked the dealer tech to mount a trailer light connector but be sure not to weld it onto the trailer hitch as stated on the trailer hitch and be sure to discounnect the battery cables as stated in the owners manual. Long story short, he welded it to the bottom of the trailer hitch so I had very little clearance with the road and didn't disconnect the battery cables. Everything that got fried was somehow my fault.

I didn't complain, I moved on to another dealer. Very happy with the new dealer as about 80% of the crew seem to feel a vested interest in the future success of their dealership. The ones with the "attitude" seem to be gone on my next visit.

Very well run company - wish they were a Workhorse shop as well as Winnebago.

A "certified welder" will know all this. I would guess that no dealers have certified welders.

wilanddij · 06-10-2005, 01:12 PM

I think the tranny dipstick on my 2004 Southwind has Dexron III stamped in it to identify what type of fluid is installed by Fleetwood. Might not hurt to look it over.

Doug Polzin · 06-13-2005, 04:11 AM

Dave, When we hook the changer up to the transmission lines, we start the engine and it pulls the new oil in as it is pushing the old out. Therefore, all of the oil,including the converter, is replaced.

Doug

Toby · 06-13-2005, 05:17 PM

I received a reply back to my email to Workhorse where I asked them did my 2004 Allison 1000 xmission have transynd or dextron. I wanted to know for sure. Their reply was yes and no. Allison sends the xmission to Workhorse filled with trysynd and Workhorse then tops the fluid off with DIII oil when they put it in the MH. However, as of 04/1/2005, they are topping off the xmission with transynd. I would still like to change the oil like Doug P does. Doug you live around North Florida??? s/Toby

Doug Polzin · 06-13-2005, 10:52 PM

Sorry Toby, but I am in WI. Many of the local auto service centers are now power changing the car trannys. If you check around, you might find one to do your motorhome. We had to get several different fittings to fit the different units that we have, so make sure they have the one for yours.

Good Luck, Doug

kelstr · 06-14-2005, 01:45 PM

i just fire the motor with a line disconected and pump the thing cleane and save what i take out and put in 16 qts of tranysend,

the gm builiton calls to do it this way , i have been doing it this way for over 30 years.

if you want it done correctly you will have to do it yourself,
its easy to do !!

DriVer · 06-14-2005, 02:44 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by kelstr:
i just fire the motor with a line disconected and pump the thing cleane and save what i take out and put in 16 qts of tranysen. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>I wouldn't recommend that anyone pursue this method of changing their transmission fluid. Call Workhorse Customer Service first if you have "any" questions.

kelstr · 06-14-2005, 11:01 PM

this is how gm recomends to do it,i have the allison builiton explaining on the way they want it done

it is the same as the little flusher .only way less hassle.

i have done hundreds of these.