How do I know which trans. fluid to add?

[sportscoach1]

I bought my 2004 Sportscoach with 3800 miles on it and want to know what type fluid it has. Is it Dexron III or synthetic. It is on the add mark and I would also like to change the filters in the near future. I think it is a 3000 series because it is behind a 330 HP cat. Can you help me. Thanks.

[ernieh]

There should be a sticker or tag near the fill point if it has Transyd(sp).

Also be advised that if it is a MH3000, the stick is only for a rough reference when you first fill it. The level should be read at the selector panel with the rig level and warmed up. Read your manual before you add or change anything for the proper procedure.

[sportscoach1]

I just checked and there is no tag or sticker to say what type fluid is in the tranny. I did check the dipstick and the fluid appears to be red in color if that is any help.

[Mike Canter]

You should spend a little time and read this whole post
Former Allison Transmission Fluids Engineer

Transynd and Dexron are the same color red but sometimes the Transynd will look gold if the light is right BUT you can't go by that. In that above referenced post Mr. Transynd states that the Allison factory switched to Transynd in 1999. I can tell you that my 2004 Monaco has Transysd from the factory. The dipstick tag had gone but there was the plastic tie wrap that held the tag still in place. If it was me I wouldtop it up with Transynd and not worry. If that is Dexron in it then it is compatible with Transynd. If that is Transynd in it then you will not ruin the mix. If you put the DExron in the Transysd then you have to change the schedule. The best option is to call Sportscoach and ask them what they put in it.

[pyroman175]

what i have read is if it is an orangish color it is transynd and if it is a dark red it is dextron

[Mike Canter]

Sorry, that is not so. I have filled two glasses up with Transynd and Dexron and have held them up to the sun and can't tell them apart. Also not every brand of Dexron is the same shade of red. Read the referenced post from Mr Transynd, the retired Allison engineer, who was reponsible for Transynd. Color is discussed and it has been discussed many times on this forum

[Wayne M]

Mobil Delvac Synthetic ATF can be added to Transynd, also.

[hooverbill]

Get the serial number off your Allison and call them. They can tell you everything you want to know, such as build date, ship date, etc. However, they shipped my trans dry, so I had to call Spartan to find out what fluid was in it, don't know how yours was shipped.

[wa8yxm]

Unless the fluid has been changed in a 2005 they were still using Dextorn III. I think they changed in '06 but it might have been '07 I drive an '05

[hzjcm8]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wa8yxm Unless the fluid has been changed in a 2005 they were still using Dextorn III. I think they changed in '06 but it might have been '07 I drive an '05

To all on this discussion topic,

All of Mike Canter's inputs are correct. Here's the deal. Allison ships all transmissions (except the ones in pickup trucks) with TranSynd in them from the factory (this includes all the 2000MH, 3000MH and 4000MH Series). However, the transmissions only contain the fluid that was used to "final test" the transmission at the factory. Then, once the transmission gets to the body builder or truck plant, it gets mated to the engine and cooler lines are installed. At that point the system is topped off with whatever the builder puts in. Typically, this is TranSynd but it doesn't have to be. My suggesstion is to get the VIN and call the manufacturer. They should be able to tell you if it left the motor home factory with TranSynd or something else.

Hope this helps. Oh, by the way, the only thing in the specification for color is "red" per the DEXRON-III spec and the Allison TES-295 spec. You can't go by your senses when it comes to transmission fluid. Don't use smell, color, sight, and certainly not taste to evaluate the fluid. Use oil analysis to determine the state of the fluid. You'll need to look at (3) things: viscosity at 100C, oxidation (by either FTIR or Total Acid Number), contamination (water, glycol, dirt) and wear metals. You always want to view the transmission fluid physical and chemical data first (100C Viscosity, Oxidation and Contamination) and then look at the wear metals (iron, copper, lead and aluminum) to see how the transmission is responding to the changes you see in the transmission fluid. If the viscosity is too low, you'll start to pick up wear metals because you won't have enough film thickness to support bearing and gear loads, if the oxidation gets too high, you'll begin to see the Total Acid Number (TAN) go up followed by an eventual increase in viscosity. If contaminants are too high the fluid will degrade even faster. A coolant leak can attack the clutch plates (you'll pick that up in sodium and potassium levels).

One more thing: Unfortunately, normal oil analysis cannot tell the difference between DEXRON-III, DEXRON-VI or TranSynd (TES-295). You have to run some other testing like Flash Point to tell if it's TranSYnd or not. If it's used oil and the viscosity is lower than say 6.0 cSt (centi-Stokes), then you can usually safely assume that it's not TranSYnd since TranSynd will not lose viscosity over time.

Hope this helps !!!

[sportscoach1]

Thanks Tom for your time and info. I got a lot of good answers and came up with the best thing for me to do. I will add 2 qts. of TranSynd (you said that will mix with either type fluid) and when I get home I will have the tranny serviced and a sample sent out for analysis then I will know for sure what fluid I have. Thanks again.

[Mr_D]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hooverbill Get the serial number off your Allison and call them. They can tell you everything you want to know, such as build date, ship date, etc. However, they shipped my trans dry, so I had to call Spartan to find out what fluid was in it, don't know how yours was shipped.

On edit: Well, I'm a a little late but still accurate info!

The Allison trans are tested with Transynd at the factory, then drained (but not completely). But it's up to the chassis manufacturer to follow the build order from the motorhome manufacturer.
Our 2002 Newmar came with Dexron even though it was tested with Transynd. Had to call Spartan with my chassis VIN to get that info.