Community Forums

OlyJerry · 01-31-2013, 01:44 PM

Hello,
Some of you may know that I am in the process of having my radiator, Charge air cooler and my hydraulic cooler rebuilt. Well I just got everything back and am getting ready for the install. Meanwhile I have been tracking down the fluids needed to refill everything. I have the coolant and tranny fluids figured out and now it's time to get the hydraulic fluid for the power steering/cooling fan motor. I believe mine is AW46 as it's not red or the color of motor oil, it's a honey color and smells like hydraulic oil. Now the question is I park in cool temperatures many times a year 0-20 degrees maybe dipping below zero sometimes and then start the motorhome up and drive away (snow skiing). I was told the AW46 may be a bit too thick for these conditions and to use AW32 (this may be why my hydraulic cooler failed). They said it will mix just fine and should alleviate a too thick of oil in cold temperatures. I also see you can change out to Dexron ATF or multi-viscocity motor oil but I'm thinking I don't want to do this at this time. Has anybody switched to the AW32 instead of AW46?

Thanks,

OlyJerry
1999 Monaco Windsor 38' Cummins 300hp ISC

walt2137 · 01-31-2013, 02:33 PM

I think you will find that both AW 46 and 32 are 10 w and Dexron lll is about 5 w.

Nick-B · 01-31-2013, 02:49 PM

AW46 is 15w
AW32 is 10w

Google is your friend.

Mr_D · 01-31-2013, 03:08 PM

Have a Spartan chassis under our DSDP. Hyd. fluid is AW32, Spartan told me I could use AW46 if I drained and flushed the system but not to mix them. No idea why they couldn't be mixed though.

Mike Canter · 01-31-2013, 07:31 PM

Monaco tech told me that if you are going to be in real cold weather to use ATF because if you used hydraulic fluid the pressure maybe too high when it is cold and you will rupture the cooler.

Papa_Jim · 01-31-2013, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-B

AW46 is 15w
AW32 is 10w

Google is your friend.

And ATF is 8w

I use ATF, but then we get some really cold weather up here.

lonestarace · 01-31-2013, 09:25 PM

We go snow skiing(Leadville, Durango, etc) and have had our Signatures in minus 20 degree wx. We use Amsoil AW46 and haven't had any problems.

We did have overheating problems in the summer with our 98 DSDP when using ATF.