Community Forums

Burlroad · 09-18-2018, 07:50 AM

I assume there’s been plenty of conversations about this topic, however have any of you experienced rising transmission oil temperatures that require you to pull off the road every hour or so in warmer weather to let the transmission temperature cool? If so, I know this is not natural. If you had repairs performed, what did they consist of? Replacing the temperature sensor for the transmission? Replacing the oil pump within the transmission? Validating that there’s no blockage in the transmission oil cooler? This problem immediately began Saturday morning and I have never experienced it prior. My plan is to take it into service and have them hook up the Allison transmission to a diagnostic machine to see if it calls out anything, but wanted to see if there was any history and subsequent resolutions.

Thanks a bunch everyone!

‘David

2003 Contry Coach Lexa
6254

2-Nickels · 09-18-2018, 09:15 AM

Hi David,

The only time I recall seeing my transmission temperature rise was when I am pulling a heavy load uphill on a very hot day 90+ degrees). Did a large hill or heavy load in play interviews your rise in temperature?

firedoc · 09-18-2018, 10:13 AM

Did you confirm the temp by shooting the pan with an infrared gun?

Burlroad · 09-18-2018, 01:05 PM

I observed the temperature by looking at the dash gauge as well as the silverleaf VMS. Both of those indicators indicated rising transmission oil temperature. While they were subtle grades, nothing that should’ve caused the problem.

gsander1 · 09-18-2018, 01:29 PM

What temperatures are you seeing?

My transmission temperature rises as I go faster, tow heavier or go up a grade. Rising temperature isn't a problem unless it gets too high.

firedoc · 09-18-2018, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burlroad

I observed the temperature by looking at the dash gauge as well as the silverleaf VMS. Both of those indicators indicated rising transmission oil temperature. While they were subtle grades, nothing that should’ve caused the problem.

Both of those gauges probably use the same, possibly defective, sender. He nce my question!

Burlroad · 09-18-2018, 04:27 PM

After the coach has been turned off for 45 minutes, the temperature reads 185°. When I start driving, it climbs towards 250° over the course of the next 45 to 60 minutes.

When it hit 250° the alarm started going off and I pulled over and stopped. Over the next seven hours I would not let it reached at temperature and what hit a rest stop to let it cool.

barclay7568 · 09-19-2018, 10:19 AM

You may want to give your radiator/coolers a good washing to see it that helps. A few years ago, mine would go up to @ 210F which was abnormally high for my coach, 2004 Allure, 36 footer. I took the side grill off, used a bug sprayer with Dawn detergent, sprayed everything inside and out, and let it set for an hour. Then I hit it with Simple Green and waited an hour. Then I rinsed it off with a pressure washer (pw) and that solved most of my problem. If you use a pw, keep your distance as it will bend your cooling fins if you get too close. My temp now stays at or below 185 with no problems. It's a cheap try/fix if your coolers haven't been washed in a while. Good luck.

Burlroad · 09-19-2018, 06:36 PM

Thanks everyone. I take in the coach on Monday and will let folks know of the outcome.

Burlroad · 09-29-2018, 10:45 AM

Wanted to circle back around in the event this happened to anyone else. When my local heavy truck service center performed the Allison transmission service, instead of refilling the transmission fluid with the proper REFILL amount of oil, they added the amount of oil as if the transmission was brand new and being filled the very first time. When you drain and refill the Allison transmission fluid it requires 7 to 8 quarts less than the original fill. The result of this was ever increasing temperatures in the transmission which by the way heading up to and eventually past 250°. Rather frustrating that the guys at the service center didn’t know that. What’s the old saying, Measure twice cut once?
They drained out 7 quarts of oil and so graciously credited it back to me.

Mr_D · 09-29-2018, 10:55 AM

One of the reasons I do as much of the service work as I can!

**CountryFit** · 09-29-2018, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burlroad

They drained out 7 quarts of oil and so graciously credited it back to me.

Did you ask to credit back the half of the entire trans service fee, if not all?
Think about potential damage to it...

I do as much as I can just don't want to give them the chances to touch it.

96 Wideglide · 09-29-2018, 11:45 AM

Do you know the procedure for checking your trans fluid level using your keypad? Good idea to check it each trip!

Burlroad · 09-29-2018, 12:54 PM

Funny you ask about checking the fluid level from the selector pad. After scratching my head and considering all the possible reasons why the trans temperature had suddenly gone off the brinks I did eventually check the Allison shifting panel to run some diagnostics which is when I saw the +7 quarts indicator. Remember, I had just had the transmission service performed 2 month earlier but had only done short trips since. Nothing that would have allowed enough time to run the temperatures up. Not until my 5 hour trip to Milwaukee did the conditions allow for this to present itself.

Fortunately I never let it get above 250 degrees as I would pull into rest areas to let things cool down. Though it did add 3 hours to my return trip to MN. Being able to run the Allison diagnostics from the shifter panel is pretty slick indeed!