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09-22-2013, 04:25 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 2,500
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Should I change trans fluid??
We have a 1995 P32 chassis class A with the 4L80E trans behind a 350 engine. The trans and engine was replaced by the PO, one at about 40K miles, the other about 60K miles. I lost the paperwork, (grrrr) so I don't remember which. It now has 93 thousand miles on it, and two of my good friends who work as mechanics say leave it alone... What do you all say? The trans doesn't leak a drop, fluid looks good, (yes I used to wrench for a living, on aircraft, built many a Mopar hotrod), BUT,,, I'd hate to change the fluid/filter just to have it start slipping, and cost us a bunch on money for a rebuild... This RV has never towed anything as far as I can tell,, (I have the original trailer hitch), and the trans works great... But I'm going to change the rear differential fluid in a month or so,,, and no, we don't put a lot of miles on it... Have made 3 trips from Arkansas to Arizona in the last 3 years or so,, a couple shorter ones... So not full timing seeing the country... It sits inside a garage mostly now.,,, except when I get it out to excerise the engine and genny... Should I change the fluid/filter, or leave it be? Thanks for your opinions. Monkey
__________________
Monkey, pilot of a Great Dane hauler,
2015 Silverado 2500 Duramax/Alison 4x4 CrewCab 2016 Cougar 28SGS
1ST CAV
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09-22-2013, 04:48 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: SoCal
Posts: 15,749
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I follow the manufacturers recommendation for transmission fluid changes. On my Ford coach it's every 30k miles.
__________________
Vince and Susan
2011 Tiffin Phaeton 40QTH (Cummins ISC/Freightliner)
Flat towing a modified 2005 Jeep (Rubicon Wrangler)
Previously a 2002 Fleetwood Pace Arrow 37A and a 1995 Safari Trek 2830.
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09-22-2013, 06:37 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 2,500
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Thanks Vince, but this doesn't apply to my case.... Some people says I've waited too long now and I'll run into problems by changing it now... Guess I should have looked before posting, but my Chevy manual says change the trans fluid @ 50,000 miles "IF" in heavy city traffic,, or in hilly mountainous terrain, or when doing frequent trailer towing. Guess all those would apply to pulling a 11,000 lb coach around... So would I be ok you all think changing the fluid now,,, I figure no more than 53,000 miles at most on the trans.... ????
__________________
Monkey, pilot of a Great Dane hauler,
2015 Silverado 2500 Duramax/Alison 4x4 CrewCab 2016 Cougar 28SGS
1ST CAV
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09-22-2013, 07:11 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Madison, MS
Posts: 10,521
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You probably already know your 4L80 E was filled with Dexron III. That "name" is no longer licensed by GM, but there are some aftermarket fluids that claim to be "same as". In your case I think I would do a partial change with new fluid claiming to be Dex III. IOW, just replace the amount of fluid which comes out of the drain, or just the pan contents, if you don't have a plug. That way you will have a blend of fresh fluid that will "improve" what you have, and hopefully not cause any problems that might have occurred with a full flush.
I would caution you not to use the "new" DEXRON VI (Dex 6) because it has the potential to ruin your seals. Allison has gone so far as to issue a bulletin warning owners of their older models not to use Dex 6, stating it WILL damage their seals. Why take the chance? If you can find some Dexron III equilivent, go for it. Ed
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09-22-2013, 07:16 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Clovis, CA, USA
Posts: 13,090
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I never heard of "it's too late to change it." Change it.
Think about it...the first guy had to replace the transmission, probably because he didn't change the fluid.
Mine is an Allison transmission and the manual tells you not to do a power flush as that will cause problems. I change about every 25,000.
So I'd change the fluid but not do a power flush.
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2004 Monaco La Palma 36DBD, W22, 8.1, 7.1 MPG
2000 LEXUS RX300 FWD 22MPG 4020 LBS
Criticism is easier than Craftsmanship
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09-22-2013, 07:19 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Central, South Carolina
Posts: 357
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Hi Monkey
Transmission replacement is 3-5K. You can buy a lot of fluid for that. The pan has magnets that hold fine metal dust. Any filter residue decreases internal pressure that can lead to slipping and slow engagement. Fluid degrades with time and especially temperature. I burned one out in an earlier 24 ft Fleetwood Flair on a hot day, within the warranty period.
The one in my 2003 Sightseer works like new. At 50kmi I flushed it with synthetic fluid and filled it with synthetic temperature tolerant fluid. At 100kmi changed filter, synthetic fluid and cleaned pan. Now at 125Kmi and it runs like I just bought it. Hope to get 200Kmi out of it.
Bite the bullet and do it to guarantee a long trans life.
Gary
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09-22-2013, 07:25 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Aiken,SC
Posts: 1,025
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Quote:
Originally Posted by garyspang
Hi Monkey
Transmission replacement is 3-5K. You can buy a lot of fluid for that. The pan has magnets that hold fine metal dust. Any filter residue decreases internal pressure that can lead to slipping and slow engagement. Fluid degrades with time and especially temperature. I burned one out in an earlier 24 ft Fleetwood Flair on a hot day, within the warranty period.
The one in my 2003 Sightseer works like new. At 50kmi I flushed it with synthetic fluid and filled it with synthetic temperature tolerant fluid. At 100kmi changed filter, synthetic fluid and cleaned pan. Now at 125Kmi and it runs like I just bought it. Hope to get 200Kmi out of it.
Bite the bullet and do it to guarantee a long trans life.
Gary
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I agree 100%,flush with synthetic fluid.
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Good Sam Life Members
Served in U.S.A.F.
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09-22-2013, 08:18 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Merritt, BC
Posts: 3,753
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I would recommend starting with getting a transmission fluid analysis done. This is an excellent lab: RV Oil Analysis | Leading RV Analysis Company | JG Lubricant Services
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Bob, Sherron & Kinsey (RIP 2013-2022)
2017 Tiffin Phaeton 40QBH
2014 Jeep Cherokee Limited
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09-22-2013, 08:25 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Country Coach Owners Club Solo Rvers Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 37,725
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Trans fluid is cheap compared to a trans rebuild.
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2009 45' Magna 630 w/Cummins ISX 650 HP/1950 Lbs Ft, HWH Active Air
Charter Good Sam Lifetime Member, FMCA,
RV'ing since 1957, NRA Benefactor Life, towing '21 Jeep JLU Rubicon Ecodiesel
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09-22-2013, 09:05 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 2,500
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Thankyou everybody... This place has such great people wanting/willing to help. The reason I asked was I think it pertains more to newer transmissions,,, if you go to far past the change interval, (sp?) then "they" recommend Not changing the fluid because it could cause slipping... I just spent $200 and a day in my shop changing the differential fluids (front and rear) and the transfer case fluid in my 04 Grand Cherokee,,, guess DW won't let me buy a new 3/4 ton Ram 4x4 right now... Thanks again everybody !!!!
__________________
Monkey, pilot of a Great Dane hauler,
2015 Silverado 2500 Duramax/Alison 4x4 CrewCab 2016 Cougar 28SGS
1ST CAV
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