Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
RV Trip Planning Discussions

Go Back   iRV2 Forums > POWER TRAIN GARAGE FORUMS > Allison Transmission Forum
Click Here to Login
Join iRV2 Today

Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts.
Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 05-25-2018, 11:00 AM   #1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 835
Too high / too low / too high

Sometime back, I changed out the transmission fluid on my 2005 Itasca on a W20 chassis with the 5-speed Allison transmission. When I drained the fluid, I used a 5-gallon bucket with markings so I could see exactly how much drained out and then replaced the same quantity back into the transmission. But... I wasn't smart enough to realize that since the fluid was hot when I drained it, it gave me a false quantity, so the end result is I over-filled it. I eventually took some fluid out with an air-powered oil vacuum/extractor and of course took too much out. I then tried to top it off, only to over-fill it again.

My question is this: to get me in the ballpark, where on the dipstick should the transmission fluid be on a cold engine and not starting the engine at all? It's a crummy picture but you can see that after sitting for a couple of weeks, pulling the dipstick out shows the current level all the way up to the bend in the dipstick. Seems to be way overfilled... I bought a hand-pump style oil vacuum and would like to slowly remove what ever fluid that gets me to a close level, then I can drive the motorhome and take some 'hot' readings to finalize the correct level. Maybe someone here has some sort of reference of how much fluid is in the pan based on where the level shows on the dipstick.

Thank you for any advice to help me out here. -RT
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	MH Tranmission Dip Stick.jpg
Views:	221
Size:	597.5 KB
ID:	204161  
__________________
Ricardo Tegarini
2005 Itasca Sunova
Workhorse Chassis W20
RTegarini is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 05-25-2018, 11:52 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 2,582
Sorry, can't see the dipstick clearly enough. Are there no markings on the dipstick as to where full is or it's safe zone is? No line or hash marks? Also, it often it says right on the dipstick if it should be checked cold or at operating temperature. Other than that check your chassis manual.

Edit: looking at the photo again there appears to be a darker colored band just up from the end of the twist. I'm wondering if thats the minimum/maximum safe zone.
60sumtin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2018, 12:13 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 345
Trans fluid should always be checked while it is hot, vehicle level and engine running...period. You will get different reading all over the chart if you don't do this. There should be data available online or in owner's manual for your specific model as to capacities.
Funding Fun is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2018, 05:11 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 2,582
Quote:
Originally Posted by Funding Fun View Post
Trans fluid should always be checked while it is hot, vehicle level and engine running...period. You will get different reading all over the chart if you don't do this. There should be data available online or in owner's manual for your specific model as to capacities.
When you say it should be checked hot are you referring to this particular motorhome or any vehicle with an automatic tranny? For the sake of others who might be reading this I've had cars where it said it could be checked cold with only 60 seconds of run time then use the appropriate marks on the dip stick. Cheers.
60sumtin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-26-2018, 10:20 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 345
I think that 60 seconds option is an alternative for a time sensitive situation. I would read the manual or call Detroit/Allison CS. The fluid expands when hot and that's the true full. operating level. Checking cold can cause an overfill and leaking or excessive seal pressure issues.
Funding Fun is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-27-2018, 01:11 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 835
Quote:
Originally Posted by 60sumtin View Post
Sorry, can't see the dipstick clearly enough. Are there no markings on the dipstick as to where full is or it's safe zone is? No line or hash marks? Also, it often it says right on the dipstick if it should be checked cold or at operating temperature. Other than that check your chassis manual.

Edit: looking at the photo again there appears to be a darker colored band just up from the end of the twist. I'm wondering if thats the minimum/maximum safe zone.
There are the appropriate markings on the dipstick. Since I know it’s overfilled, I’m looking for information as to just how much over-full it is. On a cold engine that has not been started, if the fluid level is all the way up to the bends in the dipstick, how much fluid needs to be removed? I know that it can’t be grossly overfilled, but it does seem really high on the dipstick. Since the fluid expands when it gets hot, the current reading makes it look like I over filled by a couple of quarts, but that’s not possible. I’m hoping that someone could give a refeference to movement on the dipstick in relation to ounces or cups. For example, if I wanted it to drop by 2” on the dipstick, how much fluid must I remove? -RT
__________________
Ricardo Tegarini
2005 Itasca Sunova
Workhorse Chassis W20
RTegarini is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-28-2018, 06:14 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Brighton, MI
Posts: 775
Don't think there is any way to check it without running the engine. Allison provides a cold check procedure but it requires running the engine and a should be followed with a hot check.

Drain a quart then do a cold check to see if you're in the ball park. Better to be low on fluid as long as you're not driving around.
__________________
Hank & Lynda
2003 Winnebago Adventurer 35U, Workhorse W22
70ChevelleSS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-29-2018, 05:13 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 522
I understand what you're getting at. How much fluid equals one inch on the dipstick kind of a question.
There is no published number like that. I've heard folks say what they thought one quart equated to on the dipstick but those are only approximations based on experience with one transmission in one vehicle usually.

When the engine off, the torque converter drains back into the transmission sump and the fluid goes way high on the dipstick. This is normal.
The fluid has to be checked with the engine running.
I would suggest if you think you are overfull, put a clean pan under the transmission. Remove the drain plug and drain about one quart. Put the plug back in and start the engine. Repeat until you have a good cold check(the oil level is in the cold run band if your dipstick has one).
Then drive the vehicle to get it good and warm and do a hot level check which is the most accurate way to set the fluid level. Add or drain as necessary.
Always check your transmission fluid level in an Allison with the engine running. Most automatic transmissions require this.
I know there are some transmissions (mostly transaxles) out there with different requirements but the Allison is just like most others. Engine running, operating temperature, level ground.
dbarton291 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-29-2018, 05:25 AM   #9
Senior Member
 
DENSHER's Avatar
 
Gulf Streamers Club
Spartan Chassis
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Cookeville, TN
Posts: 296
Due to fluid drain back with engine shut off fluid engine must be running to check correct level and will read over full when engine off. Before start engine, mark the stick where fluid is now then draw off 1 pint and mark stick again do this again and mark the stick to see how much the level changes with 1 pint or 1 quart added or removed. Now start engine wait 1 - 2 minutes for oil pump to fill all passages then measure. Add or remove fluid until level is close to the Add line. This should give you adequate fluid to test drive to get fluid warm without risk of major over fill when warm.
__________________
1995 Gulfstream Sun Voyager MX 34' DP with 2011 Silverado in tow.
Dennis & Sherry.
DENSHER is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-29-2018, 07:37 AM   #10
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 345
The Allison "cold check" is for the commercial DOT "walk around" inspection required by drivers on daily basis for buses and commercial trucks, etc. At least they know the fluid level is reasonably OK before starting engine. As stated many times here by many, the engine must be running and the trans fluid must be at operating temperature in order to get it exactly right. Somewhere there should be some reference to a normal "cold level". call your local Detroit-Allison service center...they have service centers all over the country.
Funding Fun is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-29-2018, 08:02 AM   #11
Senior Member
 
tmw188's Avatar
 
Monaco Owners Club
National RV Owners Club
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: St. Charles MO
Posts: 4,920
Send a message via AIM to tmw188
Too high / too low / too high

They are hard to read IMO even when hot. I like post #9’s suggestion. A drive with it a little low to check it hot is what I have done. Carry fluid and means to fill it and just pull into a large parking lot to check and fill.
__________________
2002 Monaco Windsor 40PST 2019 Equinox 1.5L, Blue OX Aventa LX tow bar, Roadmaster EZ5 baseplate, SMI Stay-In-Play Duo, TireSafeGuard TPMS
tmw188 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-30-2018, 06:31 AM   #12
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Brighton, MI
Posts: 775
Quote:
Originally Posted by Funding Fun View Post
The Allison "cold check" is for the commercial DOT "walk around" inspection required by drivers on daily basis for buses and commercial trucks, etc. At least they know the fluid level is reasonably OK before starting engine. As stated many times here by many, the engine must be running and the trans fluid must be at operating temperature in order to get it exactly right. Somewhere there should be some reference to a normal "cold level". call your local Detroit-Allison service center...they have service centers all over the country.
The Allison manual that came with our MH describes the cold check procedure. I used it when I changed fluid to make sure I was in the ball park before driving it around to do a hot check.
__________________
Hank & Lynda
2003 Winnebago Adventurer 35U, Workhorse W22
70ChevelleSS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-30-2018, 12:21 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 835
I would like to say thank-you for all the good advice. I bought a light-duty manual oil extractor and will simply take out maybe two cups of fluid at a time after driving ten or more miles. Probably will take a few attempts but tired of the going too far either removing too much and then overfilling trying ti get it right. This is the second fluid change after going to full-synthetic, so I'm close to the end of this project. -RT
__________________
Ricardo Tegarini
2005 Itasca Sunova
Workhorse Chassis W20
RTegarini is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-13-2018, 10:05 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
Arch Hoagland's Avatar
 
Monaco Owners Club
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Clovis, CA, USA
Posts: 13,090
Did you ever get it filled correctly?
__________________
2004 Monaco La Palma 36DBD, W22, 8.1, 7.1 MPG
2000 LEXUS RX300 FWD 22MPG 4020 LBS
Criticism is easier than Craftsmanship
Arch Hoagland is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Batteries: How low is too low? Sandy Swede iRV2.com General Discussion 8 03-18-2017 05:59 PM
How low is too low? ardbark Class A Motorhome Discussions 28 08-25-2014 07:41 AM
Low Mileage Coach "Whats Too Low" Mr JP Cummins Engines 6 08-17-2014 03:19 PM
Battery charge level, how low is too low? oldpa Winnebago Industries Owner's Forum 5 01-26-2008 03:14 AM
Battery Voltage How Low is TOO LOw??? Latitude MH-General Discussions & Problems 5 01-08-2008 02:11 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 11:31 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.