Dipstick vs Digital oil level checking

[djhinds]

My non Internet friend who has a 2004 Beaver Marquis with a C-12 Cat and a 4000 Allison is having trouble checking trans oil level. They do not read the same. Which one would be more accurate? The trans was 5" over full on the dipstick and the digital said 16 quarts over full. He drained 4 gallons out, then the dipstick showed 2" over full and the digital showed 7 quarts LOW. Any advise will help....

Dave
2004 Monaco Signature
Detroit 60
Honda CR-V

[bluepill]

First - Any idea how it got that much overfilled? Did someone do a "change" and forget to drain it first? Or use the wrong spec.?

Allison has two specs on fluid - One is the initial fill (From new or rebuilt, when there is no fluid at all in the tranny). The second spec is a service CHANGE of fluid (where only about half the total fluid comes out from the sump - the rest stays mostly in the converter.)

The change spec is pretty accurate. I would suggest draining the trans., then adding back the exact amount that Allison calls for. That should put you within 1 quart +/- of the correct amount. At that time, the dipstick and the digital readout should agree.

[Dadeaux]

Be sure transmission is warm when checking the digital. I usually check mine when I've been on the road for a while. I then stop and let it set for a few minutes before checking. Frieghtliner at Red Bay said the digital was more accurate so that's all I've used over the years.

[Dr4Film]

Using the Allison keypad to measure the tranny fluid level is by far the most accurate as it uses temperature to compensate amongst other characteristics.

i would only use the dipstick in an emergency situation. Some engines don't even come with a tranny dipstick.

Follow the procedure accurately to measure the fluid level.

TransmissionMUST be at temperature, coach MUST be level, engine MUST have been at idle for at least 2 minutes, then push the UP & DOWN arrows simultaneously to read the display.

When fluid level is OK, it should read OL OK.

Dr4Film ----- Richard.

[Route 66]

Allison says, use the shift pad, not the dipstick.

[ninos]

I have a 2006 discovery with a cat 330hp and an Alison 3000 do you guys know if that tans can check the level on the digital pad as well? Thanks Joe.

[Dr4Film]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninos I have a 2006 discovery with a cat 330hp and an Alison 3000 do you guys know if that tans can check the level on the digital pad as well? Thanks Joe.

Yes it can. If you don't have the Owners Manual with the instructions, I have attached it for you and anyone else that needs it.

Dr4Film ----- Richard.

[Mike Canter]

Dave something is wrong. Yes, Allison says the keypad method is preferred BUT that dipstick is the one that is installed at the factory by Allison and it is not that far off especially the amount you are talking about. The big difference is that the Automatic Oil Level Sensor (OLS) compensates for fluid temperature where the dipstick is what you see is what you get. They still should be close and no where as far off as what you are seeing. Has your friend checked the fluid level by both methods before and if so were they close? My recommendation would be to check the diagnostic codes via the keypad and see if there is a fault for the Oil Level Sensor. If no faults then I would contact an Allison repair facility and talk to them because you can damage the tranny by being too low and you can damage by being too high. I think probably being too low is the worst. Sometimes those dipsticks are hard to read. The fluid can read a high level on one side and a low (actual) level on the otherside of the dipstick toan untrained eye. It can be more confusing if the level is so low that the true level is not on the dipstick but you are just seeing an incorrect splash level. To read that dipstick you still want the MH to sit level at idle for about five minutes and have a fluid level above 140*. No insult intended but does your friend know what he is doing? Have you checked it also? The last resort is to disconnect the chassis batteries for about 15 minutes and let everything reset and try it again.

[ninos]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr4Film Yes it can. If you don't have the Owners Manual with the instructions, I have attached it for you and anyone else that needs it. Dr4Film ----- Richard.

Hey thanks I will give that a try

[Gary RVRoamer]

Quote:

BUT that dipstick is the one that is installed at the factory by Allison and it is not that far off especially the amount you are talking about.

Actually, the dipstick is not installed by Allison - it is installed by the chassis builder after the transmission is installed. Dip stick length has to be tailored to the location and length of the dipstick the tube, so it varies a lot. That's why Allison relies on the electronic read-out rather than the dipstick. Too many cases of improperly calibrated dipsticks.

[Mike Canter]

Gary, I think that depends on the make and model MH. I was told by Monaco's subcontractor that installs the engines and transmissions that in my model motorhome the dipstick tube and dipstick was provided by Allison's and came with the tranny.

[okie-dokie]

Gary, you are so right. The Coach manufacture is the installer of the trans. & the engine oil dipsticks. Do the digital read out on the pad.

[ninos]

What is the temperature of the transmission when you guys check the level because I tried to check and I get a code like 0oL-7 and I think that this means its not hot enough but I can't get my transmission past 136 or 138 I even cruised at 70 for about ten minutes but doesn't get hot enough. The book says that it as to be at least 140. Does anyone know what this code is and how are you guys doing it? Thanks Joe

[Mike Canter]

That code is for Sump Temp too low. It has to be above 140*