MH1000 fluid level

[johnandcaren]

Easy question for an Allison MH1000 in a 2006 Workhorse W24 chassis.

Tranny functions flawlessly. However when cold, the fluid level is on the "HOT" level mark. So it was overfilled by the factory. The cold level mark is down on the stick a fair amount. I have not added or removed any fluid. Did change the filter last year. The fluid is clear (yes red but clear red) and there is no burned smell. Seems fine.

Can this hurt?

[Mike Canter]

It is far more important where the level is when the transmission is hot. Yes it can blow a seal. Drive it around for more than 15 minutes and check it again in PARK with the engine at idle. If it is over full then you need to take some fluid out. You can unscrew the drain and let some out. It is pretty easy to do on a cold transmission. Catch it in a clean bucket so if you take out too much you can put some back in. i would start off by getting a cold transmission down to the cold level and go from there.

[hzjcm8]

Originally Posted by johnandcaren

Easy question for an Allison MH1000 in a 2006 Workhorse W24 chassis.

Tranny functions flawlessly. However when cold, the fluid level is on the "HOT" level mark. So it was overfilled by the factory. The cold level mark is down on the stick a fair amount. I have not added or removed any fluid. Did change the filter last year. The fluid is clear (yes red but clear red) and there is no burned smell. Seems fine.

Can this hurt?

johnandcaren,

Too low or too high are both bad. You should be OK though at the level you're at. There's only a real problem when the fluid level is high enough to get up into the rotating clutches (C1 and C2). Generally, if this happens you'll know it because it will foam badly and probably run hot due to the air not letting the fluid cool efficiently.

[DriVer]

Originally Posted by johnandcaren

Can this hurt?

The procedure to check your transmission fluid is to assure that the vehicle is on a level parking area.

Start and run the vehicle until it achieves operational temperature.

With the transmission stick in PARK, pull the stick, wipe, re-stick, pull and check the level. The fluid level should be at the most at the maximum line. There is an operational range as well where the tranny would have enough fluid if it's not filled precisely.

Way too much fluid is not a good thing for the MH1000 however it won't choke on one or 2 extra ounces. If the level is too high I would suggest that you drain it down slightly after the tranny has had time to chill.

I'm not so sure I would retain the fluid that is drained.

[johnandcaren]

Tks for good ideas and feedback. You helped me.

And sometimes we think we are competent and find out we did a dumb thing. The MH was not level, but in a driveway with the back lower.

Now I know what to do.

Tks guys.