How to Change Allison Transmission Fluid

[Tom-NC]

I have an 04 Winnebago Adventurer on a 03 Workhorse chassis and would like to change the tranny fluid myself. I changed the spin on filter at 5000 miles with no problem.

What is involved and how do I change the tranny fluid and what filters do I need? The coach has 28k on it now and have not had any transmission problems. I'm sure it has Dextron III in it which I will use when I replace the fluid. Do I change exterior spin on filter at the same time?

Thanks.

[Tom-NC]

I have an 04 Winnebago Adventurer on a 03 Workhorse chassis and would like to change the tranny fluid myself. I changed the spin on filter at 5000 miles with no problem.

What is involved and how do I change the tranny fluid and what filters do I need? The coach has 28k on it now and have not had any transmission problems. I'm sure it has Dextron III in it which I will use when I replace the fluid. Do I change exterior spin on filter at the same time?

Thanks.

[js9315]

You will need the same filter you replaced at 5k and 12 qts of Dexron III fluid. What I have done is purchased a vacuum jug that will hold about 8 qts. I do not have a drain pan that will hold 12 qts so I start the drain by draining the first 8 qts out the dipstick tube into the vacuum jug. Then I drain the rest by removing the drain plug in the pan and let it drain completely. When you remove the filter do not forget the reclaim and reuse the magnet!!

I try to measure the fluid removed but do not get too worked up over it, just put back in 10 qts and see where you are on the stick, fill as needed...

I have found that I make much less mess by using the vacuum jug for the major part of the drain, YMMV

[Max Hubrich]

Tom--

Yes, change the filter that you get from an Allison dealer. They are reasonably priced. They are red in color. If you can't find one near you in the mountains go to Omeys site here. He sells them for about $18.

This is an excellent time to change to Transyn (synthetic fluid), or an approved TES-295 alternate-- Go here. Your transmission will run a good 10 degrees cooler and the fluid change interval will change to 100,000 miles-- after the second change. Allison recommends you do this. Since the present fluid is in the torque converter, the lines to the radiator cooler, and the cooler itself, you need to run it awhile before you perform the second change.

At the Myrtle Beach rally the Allison folks highly recommended you do this. The present fluid you have Dextron III, and Transyn are completely interchangable.

Some folks claim an increase in gas mileage also-- You'll need about 11 qts of New fluid and a drain pan that will hold that amount during your service cycle. When you replace the fluid you will need a transmission fluid funnel and a lot of patience as it is a very slow refill process.

Good luck

[DAN L]

TOM...
i believe that it was oemy (it could have been someone else) who recommended to me to let my moho sit for a long time before draining the allison.
i let it set for 3 weeks and drained 13.5 quarts from my 5 sp ally. i replaced the filter with one from oemy and added almost 14 qts.
my ally holds 14.1 qts (rebuild), so i got about a 95% fluid change.
i used amsoil tes295 torque drive fluid.
you will need a really long funnel. i used 2 feet of heater hose and a transmission funnel.
don't forget the magnet on top of the tranny filter...

[edgray]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">The present fluid you have Dextron III, and Transyn are completely interchangable. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
TOM-NC: the advice given above is correct, however I want to WARN you that DEXRON VI, which is packaged as a direct replacement for Dexron III, is NOT TO BE USED IN YOUR ALLISON.

Unless you can find some "old stock" true Dexron III, which is unlikely, you will need to use one of the fluids recommended in the link provided by Max H upthread. The newer formulation, Dexron VI, is acceptable in GM trannys which originally used Dex III, but this IS NOT TRUE FOR ALLISON TRANNYS. Please make sure you don't put DEXron VI in your 03 Allison. ED

[oemtech]

Check out my Allison filter kit... Here

[des55]

What Thanks,are you refering to when you say "after the second change"?
Thanks,
Duane

[edgray]

Quote:

Originally Posted by des55 What Thanks,are you refering to when you say "after the second change"? Thanks, Duane

des55: WELCOME to iRV2.com ! Glad you joined and posted your question.

You've brought back to life a thread from 2008, but I'll answer for the OP. When changing from Dexron to TranSynd you need to drain pan, refill with tranSynd, drive coach for 30 miles or so to heat up and mix the fluids, and then drain and refill with TranSynd AGAIN. This "double drain" proceedure is what Allison recommends to get "most" of the old stuff out of the cooler and converter, which cannot be drained. Personally, I would change the spin on filter after the "second drain". ED