Community Forums

aedwards · 10-27-2012, 05:43 PM

Hi:
In getting ready for a trip I checked my fluids and the trans dipstick showed a level above the hot line and it was cold. Is this normal, is it to much?
Thanks in advance,
Al Edwards

DAN L · 10-28-2012, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aedwards

Hi:
In getting ready for a trip I checked my fluids and the trans dipstick showed a level above the hot line and it was cold. Is this normal, is it to much?
Thanks in advance,
Al Edwards

have you ran the engine?
some of the tranny fluid in the cooler and torque converter will drain into the pan and the dipstick will read high.

Mr_D · 10-28-2012, 12:24 AM

Allison transmissions are normally checked with the engine running and the trans at operating temps. Did you check it with the engine running?

aedwards · 10-28-2012, 06:45 AM

Hey thanks for the info, it is shifting great. I am just not familiar with Allison, my Winnie had a ford with a 4 speed trans.
Thanx again,
Al Edwards

450Donn · 10-28-2012, 07:11 AM

All automatic transmissions no matter what brand are always checked after the transmission is completely warmed up, has been run throughout all gears a number of times and is parked, engine running in level ground. Any other method is a complete waste of time.

Scooter · 10-28-2012, 09:38 AM

When I check my Allison 1000, cold, it reads an inch or so above the crosshatch.

Rocky Larson · 10-28-2012, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 450Donn

All automatic transmissions no matter what brand are always checked after the transmission is completely warmed up, has been run throughout all gears a number of times and is parked, engine running in level ground. Any other method is a complete waste of time.

My 2003 Honda CRV, and I assume others out there have instructions otherwise:http://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/p...303O00260A.pdf

allison_tech · 10-28-2012, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aedwards

Hi:
In getting ready for a trip I checked my fluids and the trans dipstick showed a level above the hot line and it was cold. Is this normal, is it to much?
Thanks in advance,
Al Edwards

When cold the fluid should be at the cold line. If its higher it may blow out the vent once its hot. If you have not added any fluid recently I would check you coolant level, you may have a trans cooler going bad.

Scooter · 10-29-2012, 12:13 PM

I checked again, just now: It is an inch above the HOT line. That means it is about 2-1/2 inches above the COLD line. I have not noticed anything amiss.

Next outing, I will check HOT as per 450Donn and report back.

Scooter · 11-04-2012, 12:19 PM

OK, I checked yesterday about 12 noon, right after a 40 mile drive. Did as 450Donn recommended.

It showed to the BOTTOM of the COLD line, about 2 inches short of the HOT cross hatch.

I checked 30 minutes later and it showed one-half inch from the HOT cross hatch.

After another hour it showed a bit into the HOT cross hatch.

I checked a few minutes ago, 24 hours later, and it shows a bit into the HOT cross hatch.

Any thoughts?

I am going to start a new thread in the Allison forum as I think I have the wrong dipstick.

wa8yxm · 11-04-2012, 02:36 PM

Wrong dipstick is possible, Very possible, You need a transmission shop to figure that one out. But it appears you are concerned because the level is higher cold engine not running.

As others have said there is a lot of fluid flowing about, and when you shut down some of it drains back into the pan raising the level, this is normal And it causes false readings.
Engine must be running to check.

Witness all the folks who yammer about "What about the water that clings to the lines and drips down to a low spot" when I or someone else recommends the dry method of winterizing.

Same is true of Transmission fluid, only you are blowing fluid into the lines, Thus when you shut the pump off it seeks the low spots (the pan) .

Scooter · 11-05-2012, 09:49 PM

My dip stick says to check in Park. Do you think there will be a difference if checked when running in Neutral? Probably, but I did not think to check.

Hooligan · 11-06-2012, 08:10 PM

Scooter: My 1000 has no park position so it is checked in neutral, engine running. Some are checked in Park. Page 58 of the manual gives procedures for cold or hot fluid level checks.
Operators Manual Allison 1000 Series
http://www.allisontransmission.com/s...t=OM3063EN.pdf

hope this helps.