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Jim_HiTek · 03-22-2021, 08:48 PM

NEED ADVICE

Today at the auto shop, I came in with my '02 Winnebago Journey with 330 HP Cat, Allison 6 speed electronic transmission for an engine oil and filter change and chassis lube job.

While wandering around to the back of the shop a few minutes after they'd started, I spied the mechanic pouring synthetic engine oil, 10W-40, into the transmission fill tube!!!! He'd already poured around 2 or 3 quarts from the 5 qt jug in when I yelled at him. When he checked himself, sure enough, he realized that's what he'd done.

So, what I asked the shop to do was FLUSH. Shop owner said that's not needed. What the shop tech told me he did was drain the tranni completely and then refill with fresh ATF. Dexron III was used as that's what's indicated on the tranni's dip stick.

1) My question for experts...what would you do?
2) Any harm likely to the tranni by driving it now?
3) What should I keep my eyes on?
4) Do I even need a flush?
5) Should I have a flush done here in Quartzsite before heading north 1K miles?

BTW, the shop did do all the work free. The engine oil and filter I provided. Of course I didn't realize until after I left that since they didn't charge me, there's no invoice, so no proof I was ever there.

lllkrob · 03-22-2021, 08:59 PM

The problem is not the oil since that got drained back out and what little residual is left will not do any harm. The problem is what they put back in. Are you sure your trans had Dexron III in it to begin with or did it have Transynd ATF? Most shops use Transynd in Allison transmissions instead of conventional Dexron ATF.

Jim_HiTek · 03-22-2021, 09:12 PM

I don't know for sure...shop manager asked me to grab my books and look up the type of oil but later said they found it embossed on the tranni dip stick. I can only go by what they told me it needed, and the empty quart bottle they handed me after. What they used is a cheap FRAM oil labeled Multi-vehicle ATF. It also says, "Meets Dexron-III/Mercon performance requirements". The tech did mention the old oil was rather dark and I know Transnyd is purple so maybe it got changed once. I don't have the PO's records though.

I'm thinking of getting a flush and changing to Transynd oil after I drive north 1K miles if most of the advice I get indicates it's desirable for the tranni's life. After all, a used tranni like this one installed is $8K, I believe.

Domo · 03-22-2021, 09:17 PM

These guys messed up and are now slipping you the cheap stuff? Or did I misunderstand?

I think I'd be looking for a full flush, new filters and REAL manufacturer spec'd replacement.

Thewellz · 03-22-2021, 09:25 PM

If it was me I would probably do another drain and fill, and replace the filters again next season. If you decide to drain and fill with Transynd, it mixes fine with the dexron3....at least you didn't pay for the last change!

Arch Hoagland · 03-22-2021, 09:41 PM

I'm assuming it's an Allison transmission.

If it was mine I'd drive it 20 miles, drain it and refill with Transynd along with changing the filter again. And I'd use a filter purchased at an Allison dealer.

Jim_HiTek · 03-22-2021, 09:42 PM

They used the oil type stamped on the tranni dip stick so can't fault them for that. IF they dumped a bunch of nice Transynd that's not their fault as the dip stick would be what Winnie spec'ed from Freightliner. Now, whether or not the PO (only two owners so far) had that original oil replaced with Transynd or not, we'll never know. Mechanic said it was dark and needed replacing but I didn't get to look at it.

The filters are internal. Not an easy job to change them. Yes, an Allison either a 3000 or 4000 MH. Not sure which.

Mile Marker 42 · 03-22-2021, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim_HiTek

They used the oil type stamped on the tranni dip stick so can't fault them for that. IF they dumped a bunch of nice Transynd that's not their fault as the dip stick would be what Winnie spec'ed from Freightliner. Now, whether or not the PO (only two owners so far) had that original oil replaced with Transynd or not, we'll never know. Mechanic said it was dark and needed replacing but I didn't get to look at it.

The filters are internal. Not an easy job to change them.

Maybe it's time you learned to change your own oil. This is exactly why I don't let anyone touch my rig. The day I can't work on it anymore, is the day I sell it. I'm 60 now, so figure I have a few more years left:-) BTW, google changing those tranny filters. No biggie at all.

Jim_HiTek · 03-22-2021, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mile Marker 42

Maybe it's time you learned to change your own oil. This is exactly why I don't let anyone touch my rig. The day I can't work on it anymore, is the day I sell it. I'm 60 now, so figure I have a few more years left:-) BTW, google changing those tranny filters. No biggie at all.

Nope, ain't gunna do it. I worked hard doing all my own wrenching for decades. No more unless it's simple stuff that I enjoy.

I have the book with exploded view of the filters right in front of me, sure it looks easy, so I'll pay someone to do it. Ain't crawling under there myself unless I have to.

Gotta mention the bad knees, bad back, bad eyes, and surly attitude. Because of that I'll pay some younger guy to handle the wrenching stuff for me. What's retirement for anyway? Working? or relaxing while someone else works?

153stars · 03-23-2021, 12:16 AM

The Allison tech that wrote spec.for Transyn is a member here he said any that meet Transyn spec are fine. Mobil from Summit is best price you can find . Do the double oil and filter change per directions your done for rest of most owners milage . If the the old was dexIII and kind of burnt your better off now . Glad you caught it before they started your empty engine and super full trans. "Allisontech" is the member.. He has oil analysis service you can get tested ask if it is half Transyn now.
Quote from him in thread it's not purple when new...

When Transynd gets some milage it will definitely have a gold color to it.If you drain it out in a bucket it will still look red,just spread some on a metal surface and it will be gold colored.

hypoxia · 03-23-2021, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim_HiTek

Gotta mention the bad knees, bad back, bad eyes, and surly attitude.

That's the second "Quote of the Day" for today on this forum.

The first is on the driving subject https://www.irv2.com/forums/f258/bes...-529181-2.html

I'm not to the point of handing maintenance off to others yet but can appreciate your point of view. I have noticed parts seem to be made heavier than they used to be and bolts are torqued tighter than they used to be.

Jim_HiTek · 03-23-2021, 08:40 AM

Little bit ticked at myself for not getting a sample of tranni fluid as they drained it. I have a sample bottle for Blackstone but due to the circumstances, I was distracted. Since I haven't seen a post that makes me to worried about a 1,000 mile journey north, I think I'll wait until I get up to home base, draw a sample of the tranni oil and submit it to Blackstone then.

If it indicates trouble on the horizon, I'll get the Transynd and filters installed up there.

Jim_HiTek · 03-23-2021, 07:02 PM

Also posted in the FB Allison group and got several opinions. I'll take the ones that fit in my world view and do the following...

Head north as planned, and as soon as the engine temp has reached typical, I'll stop and using the touch pad find out what the tranni temp is, and check for any codes. If it's not showing normal, I'll head back here to Quartzsite and head for the shop that did the work originally.

If the readings are all right though, I'll continue the 300 miles north to Pahrump where I'll be staying a few weeks. There I'll siphon a few ounces of ATF and send it in to Blackstone for analysis.

If that analysis comes back good, I'll continue on 1,070 miles to my summer base in Milton Freewater, Oregon. There I'll siphon some more ATF juice from the tranni and send that in for analysis. If that shows okay, I'm pretty much done...but I'm leaning to having the filters changed out (they're due anyway) and filling with Transynd while I'm up there.

Jim_HiTek · 03-25-2021, 09:33 PM

Trip went well. Stopped at 25 miles and checked the tranni dip stick and the oil looks good, and the level was correct. Then ran the touch pad tests and Allison came back with oK and continued on to Pahrump for another 275 miles or so. Seems as though the oil draining did the trick. I'll go ahead and replace the filters and oil again when I get up to Oregon here in a few weeks.

Thanks for everyone's advice and comments.