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Transmission Fluid Change

Yahoo Message Number: 20673
Anyone ever changed their trans fluid and filters themselves? I am a "do it yourself" kind of person and I'd like to change mine, but I am not exactly sure what can of worms I may be getting into. My trans is an Allison 3000 series.

Thanks in advance.
Mike

95 Intrigue 10061

Re: Transmission Fluid Change

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 20677
matter of draining and filling, the fluid does get drained, but the new fluid has to be pumped in there in addition to pre-filling the filters!

If you are going to do it, let us know how it went! Good luck.................
Carl

Quote
>

Anyone ever changed their trans fluid and filters themselves? I am > a "do it yourself" kind of person and I'd like to change mine, but I > am not exactly sure what can of worms I may be getting into. My

trans

Re: Transmission Fluid Change

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 20679
Yes, Mike, I changed my fluid and filters and it was super easy.
You'll need a BIG drain pan to catch the 17 quarts of fluid. About 10 quarts is used if you just insert new filters. If you pull the drain plug, you'll need a total of 17 quarts. Use a large plastic drop cloth too, because fluid splashes everywhere when you pull the filter covers off.

I used Transynd synthetic and bought the filter kit and 5 gallons of fluid at a great price from Inland Truck Parts in Texas and saved a bunch of money. You'll also need a torque wrench to properly tighten the filter covers when your done. I bought an 18" screw on adapter to fit the top of the gallon containers at Advanced Auto Parts and that made the refill easy and quick.

Be sure the fluid is hot when you drain it and then after refilling the tranny, idle the tranny in neutral for a while then insert it in gear and let it idle with no load to distribute the new fluid. stop and check the fluid level with the dip stick and when it shows near full, go for a ride for 25 miles or so then use the buttons on the transmission controller to verify that the fluid level is perfect.

This is a really easy and straight-forward job for any do-it- yourselfer who is used to this kind of work. I'm not sure what Carl meant by "new fluid has to be pumped in there in addition to pre- filling the filters", because there is no possible way to prefill the tranny filters -- maybe Carl is thinking of the old method of pre- filling the fuel filters (which is no longer the recommended way).

Lastly, use a 14 mm open end wrench to remove the transmission breather (looks like a bottle cap on the top of the tranny), clean it with solvent, then re-install it on the top of the tranny. Almost all the tranny service techs forget this part of the service because it is a small and tedious part of the job that they would rather skip. If you do this, you'll know that the job was done 100% right! This is a great do-it-youself job to save money and have the satisfaction of knowing that the job was done perfectly.

Bob Kumza
2003 Intrigue

Quote from: Mike Brundage
> > Anyone ever changed their trans fluid and filters themselves? I am > a "do it yourself" kind of person and I'd like to change mine, but I > am not exactly sure what can of worms I may be getting into. My

trans

Re: Transmission Fluid Change

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 20680
You're the man Bob!!!!

I knew someone out there could help. See Honey....the internet is good for something!!!! Going to do my hydraulic filters while I am in there getting all oily.

Thanks again. I am all over it.
Mike

95 Intrigue 10061

Quote from: rvrobert2003
>

Yes, Mike, I changed my fluid and filters and it was super easy.
You'll need a BIG drain pan to catch the 17 quarts of fluid. About

10

Quote
quarts is used if you just insert new filters. If you pull the

drain

Quote
plug, you'll need a total of 17 quarts. Use a large plastic drop

cloth

Quote
too, because fluid splashes everywhere when you pull the filter

covers

Quote
off.

I used Transynd synthetic and bought the filter kit and 5 gallons

of

Quote
fluid at a great price from Inland Truck Parts in Texas and saved a > bunch of money. You'll also need a torque wrench to properly

tighten

Quote
the filter covers when your done. I bought an 18" screw on adapter

to

Quote
fit the top of the gallon containers at Advanced Auto Parts and

that

Quote
made the refill easy and quick.
> Be sure the fluid is hot when you drain it and then after refilling > the tranny, idle the tranny in neutral for a while then insert it

in

Quote
gear and let it idle with no load to distribute the new fluid.

stop

Quote
and check the fluid level with the dip stick and when it shows near > full, go for a ride for 25 miles or so then use the buttons on

the

Quote
transmission controller to verify that the fluid level is perfect.

This is a really easy and straight-forward job for any do-it- > yourselfer who is used to this kind of work. I'm not sure what

Carl

Quote
meant by "new fluid has to be pumped in there in addition to pre- > filling the filters", because there is no possible way to prefill

the

Quote
tranny filters -- maybe Carl is thinking of the old method of pre- > filling the fuel filters (which is no longer the recommended way).

Lastly, use a 14 mm open end wrench to remove the transmission > breather (looks like a bottle cap on the top of the tranny), clean

it

Quote
with solvent, then re-install it on the top of the tranny. Almost

all

Quote
the tranny service techs forget this part of the service because it

is

Quote
a small and tedious part of the job that they would rather skip. If > you do this, you'll know that the job was done 100% right! This is

a

Quote
great do-it-youself job to save money and have the satisfaction of > knowing that the job was done perfectly.

Bob Kumza
2003 Intrigue

[quote author=Mike Brundage"

>

> Anyone ever changed their trans fluid and filters themselves? I

am

Quote
a "do it yourself" kind of person and I'd like to change mine,

but I

Re: Transmission Fluid Change

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 20681
What I think he means is that all the Allison service centers remove the return line from the cooler and start the engine and pump out the old fluid with the new trans-synd to a measured amount, shut off the engine, reconnect the line and continue. It also changes the fluid in the torque convertor.
TWI Intrigue 11731

Re: Transmission Fluid Change

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 20683
You'll have to change it twice, but it will increase the longevity of the tranny ayou won't have to wash your clothes as often if you use trans-synd..
TWI Intrigue 2004 and formerly 98 Allure. They shift better also..

Re: Transmission Fluid Change

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 20694
Oh... one more thing... There are TWO different filter types for the Allison tranny. The newest and best quality is the "Gold Series Filter Kit". The kit comes with all the O rings you'll need to do the job, regardless of the age of your tranny, and two gold filter cartridges. Some trannys use an extra O ring and it comes in the kit. Just be careful to watch what you take out and then only use those same parts from the kit when you put it back together!

Inland Truck only sells the "Gold Series Filter Kit" as the other older style filters don't sell well and they don't bother to inventory them. Ned brings up a good point on the sump depth. To my knowledge, all the 300MH tranny's I heard about are the 2" sump models. You can easily check yours even without a ruler by just bending down and looking to see how far the flat bottom of the tranny is below the rounded section... If it's about 2", you've got a 2" sump.

This is a great forum for do-it-yourselfers to help other do-it- yourselfers. I never take my coach to a service center for anything now. It is a lot more satisfying to know I've done the job right rather than sitting in a service center for hours and hours and wondering what they have screwed up while working on my coach. My diesel pusher has a BUNCH of filters, and they are all easy to change. When I do it, I know it is done perfectly.

Regards,

Bob Kumza
2003 Intrigue

P.S. Mike...When did you last change your fuel filter, fuel separator filter, coolant filter, oil filter, generator air and oil filters, air dryer cartridge, air pump filter, and hydraulic filters? When did you last grease your axle zerk fittings and suspension zerks? This is all easy stuff for the person willing to get a little dirty and these save big bucks on service too!

Good Luck... write me if you need help.

Quote from: Mike Brundage
>

You're the man Bob!!!!

I knew someone out there could help. See Honey....the internet is > good for something!!!! Going to do my hydraulic filters while I

am

Re: Transmission Fluid Change

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 20706
Bob,

I change my engine oil and filter once each year. Last year I went about 6,500 miles. I change the fuel filter and coolant filter every other oil change. I did the generator not too long ago. I recently changed my dessicant filter. I am not aware of the air pump filter....I'll have to look into that one. I am a greasin' fool.
There is a whole mess of them under there, but I think that I got 'em all. I've got to keep this old boat going as I can't afford all that fancy new high performance shiney stuff, like most of you guys.

Thanks for your help Bob. I appreciate it.

Mike

95 Intrigue 10061

Quote from: rvrobert2003
>

Oh... one more thing... There are TWO different filter types for

the

Quote
Allison tranny. The newest and best quality is the "Gold Series > Filter Kit". The kit comes with all the O rings you'll need to do > the job, regardless of the age of your tranny, and two gold filter > cartridges. Some trannys use an extra O ring and it comes in the > kit. Just be careful to watch what you take out and then only use > those same parts from the kit when you put it back together! >

Inland Truck only sells the "Gold Series Filter Kit" as the other > older style filters don't sell well and they don't bother to > inventory them. Ned brings up a good point on the sump depth. To > my knowledge, all the 300MH tranny's I heard about are the 2" sump > models. You can easily check yours even without a ruler by just > bending down and looking to see how far the flat bottom of the > tranny is below the rounded section... If it's about 2", you've got > a 2" sump.

This is a great forum for do-it-yourselfers to help other do-it- > yourselfers. I never take my coach to a service center for

anything

Quote
now. It is a lot more satisfying to know I've done the job right > rather than sitting in a service center for hours and hours and > wondering what they have screwed up while working on my coach. My > diesel pusher has a BUNCH of filters, and they are all easy to > change. When I do it, I know it is done perfectly.

Regards,

Bob Kumza
2003 Intrigue

P.S. Mike...When did you last change your fuel filter, fuel > separator filter, coolant filter, oil filter, generator air and oil > filters, air dryer cartridge, air pump filter, and hydraulic > filters? When did you last grease your axle zerk fittings and > suspension zerks? This is all easy stuff for the person willing to > get a little dirty and these save big bucks on service too! >

Good Luck... write me if you need help.

[quote author=Mike Brundage"

>

> You're the man Bob!!!!
>

> I knew someone out there could help. See Honey....the internet

is

Re: Transmission Fluid Change

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 20709
Hi Mike,

Sometime when you get a chance, I would like to hear the details in changing the dessicant.
Thanks,
Fred Kovol

2000allure30593

[quote author=Mike Brundage" brundage@w\.\.\.\>] >

Bob,
> I change my engine oil and filter once each year. Last year I went > about 6,500 miles. I change the fuel filter and coolant filter [/quote]
every

Quote
other oil change. I did the generator not too long ago. I recently > changed my dessicant filter. I am not aware of the air pump > filter....I'll have to look into that one. I am a greasin' fool.
There is a whole mess of them under there, but I think that I got

'em

Quote
all. I've got to keep this old boat going as I can't afford all

that

Re: Transmission Fluid Change

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 20710
Mike;

The U joints should have two grease fittings on each one. I found out the hard way.
New U joint. Gee two grease fittings? Steve

95 Magna 5200

Re: Transmission Fluid Change

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 20713
Steve, Two grease fittings....hmmm....I've only seen one. Better look again. Also, the slip joint on the drive shaft. I bet I've pumped an entire tube of grease into that thing and I still get nothing coming out of the seal. Anyone else noticed that?

Fred, As for the dessicant filter. Mine is located up front above and ahead of the front axle. It's not too hard to get to. I think yours is in the rear some where. I completely removed mine to replace the filter. Disconnecting the air lines and the electrical is no big deal. Then remove the cover. It has about a dozen cap screws holding it on. The dessicant filter is tight!!!! I couldn't get it loose so, so I took it down to Sacramento Kenworth and they stuck the filter in a vise and twisted the base. Don't put the base in the vise because it is just cast aluminum and if you break that, you be saying some seriously bad words and then getting out your credit card. I purchased a rebuilt filter for about $45. Cleaned everything up and reinstalled it. Take your time and do it right.
It's a relatively easy job for us "do it yourself" types. Mine works fine....I guess. I never get any moisture when I blow down my air tanks.

Until next time.
Mike

95 Intrigue 10061

Quote from: stephen burdick\[br\
] >

Mike;
> The U joints should have two grease fittings on each one. I found
out the hard way.

Quote
New U joint. Gee two grease fittings? > Steve

95 Magna 5200

fredkovol wrote:
 Hi Mike,

Sometime when you get a chance, I would like to hear the details in > changing the dessicant.
Thanks,
Fred Kovol

2000allure30593

[quote author=Mike Brundage" > brundage@w...>]
>

> Bob,
>

> I change my engine oil and filter once each year. Last year I

went

Quote
about 6,500 miles. I change the fuel filter and coolant filter > every

> other oil change. I did the generator not too long ago. I

recently

Quote
changed my dessicant filter. I am not aware of the air pump > > filter....I'll have to look into that one. I am a greasin'

fool.

Quote
There is a whole mess of them under there, but I think that I got > 'em

> all. I've got to keep this old boat going as I can't afford all > that

> fancy new high performance shiney stuff, like most of you guys.
>

> Thanks for your help Bob. I appreciate it.
>

> Mike

> 95 Intrigue 10061

SPONSORED LINKS

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Quote
>

Visit your group "Country-Coach-Owners" on the web.

">Country-Coach-Owners-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com >

Re: Transmission Fluid Change

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 20716
Mike;

When "I" changed out the front U joint, I took the whole drive shaft out.
There's a lot of space inside the shaft. The fitting on the side feeds right on the spline, So, I'd guess your filling the void inside really really well.
Someone had only added grease to one of the zerks. The other was dry. Thus, the bearing cup was dry and out came the needle bearings.
The old and the new joint had two zerks. Mfg. was Timken. Parts were made in USA and assembled in Brazil. Gee! Steve

Transmission Fluid Change

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 20732
Bought & installed Allison Gold series filters. Hard part was finding Transynd fluid. Bought it from manufacturer, BP direct.
Old gaskets were removed from soft aluminum sump with sharp chisel, used with care. Read directions supplied with filters.

Replaced both filters, partly for lack of knowing which to replace.
Total cost about $208, including 2 extra gallons of fluid.
Notes from fluid purchase below. May have been Inland Truck that sold me filter pairs for $60. Look for ad in FMCA magazine.

Order Autran Syn 295 from BP Corp

call 800-888-4448.

Ask to purchase Autran Syn 295 on account # 512823, a generic credit card account.

In 5 gal bucket, cost was $146.70 + $10 sales tax.

First person that answered phone took order!

Eric & Terry Elliott
5 Inspire 51321

Re: Transmission Fluid Change

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 20737
Ok, sounds good. Watch the weather; you might have to fly this way.

Love ya

Thank you
Darold Popish
Machine Shop Manager
Nuclear Filter Technology
(303)-384-9785 ext. 212
fax (303)-384-9579
darold@...

Dust Storm Issue Question - Again

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 20738

I almost hate to ask a question on this Dust Storm issue but what is the name of the "controller" that some of you have had replaced that seems to help this problem.
We had the baffle fix done but we still seem to kick up an awful lot of dust.
Thanks again for your patience with this!!
Kathy Marsh
2000 Allure #30536


info/terms/

Re: Dust Storm Issue Question - Again

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 20739
Kathy,

It's the engine fan controller that is often the cause of the fan running at full speed all the time. The fan has a fail-safe mechanism that makes it run at full speed when certain things are wrong, thus it could be a wiring problem/fuse or something other than the controller.
After 5 year, I finally had mine fixed a couple of weeks ago during a stop in JC. It was one of the very late discovered issues that I had since purchasing the coach. Just didn't know it wasn't supposed to work (or not work) that way.

Henk J. Bots, 2000 Magna with only 18,000 miles.

Quote
>

I almost hate to ask a question on this Dust Storm issue but what is
the name of the "controller" that some of you have had replaced that seems to help this problem.

Quote
>

We had the baffle fix done but we still seem to kick up an awful lot

of dust.

Re: Dust Storm Issue Question - Again

Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 20740
How can I tell if the cooling fan is running at an excessive speed all the time? I remember some sequence of starting the engine, then while it is still "cold" turn on the A/C and there should be a noticable increase in fan speed. Is this a valid way to see if the controller is working correctly? In not, what method can be used by a do-it-yourselfer to check it?
Bob

Quote from: Henk J\. Bots
>

Kathy,

It's the engine fan controller that is often the cause of the fan > running at full speed all the time. The fan has a fail-safe

mechanism

Quote
that makes it run at full speed when certain things are wrong,

thus it

Quote
could be a wiring problem/fuse or something other than the

controller.

Quote
>

After 5 year, I finally had mine fixed a couple of weeks ago

during a

Quote
stop in JC. It was one of the very late discovered issues that I

had

Quote
since purchasing the coach. Just didn't know it wasn't supposed to > work (or not work) that way.

Henk J. Bots, 2000 Magna with only 18,000 miles.

>

> I almost hate to ask a question on this Dust Storm issue but

what is

Quote
the name of the "controller" that some of you have had replaced

that

Quote
seems to help this problem.
>

> We had the baffle fix done but we still seem to kick up an awful

lot

Re: Dust Storm Issue Question - Again

Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 20741
Kathy,

I have high speed fan operation after the coach has sat awhile.
I have found by disconnecting the power plug at the fan controller several times fixes the problem. The power plug is the smaller of the two plugs.

One time the signal plug loosened which caused the same hi speed problem so I retied the plugs with plastic tie wraps.

Fred Kovol

2000allure30593

Re: Dust Storm Issue Question - Again

Reply #18 –
Yahoo Message Number: 20742
Buy/borrow a small digital recorder and duct tape it in an appropriate place where it will pick up the sound of your fan running. Listen to the recorder after a short trip. You should then have your answer.

Bob Leger

Re: Dust Storm Issue Question - Again

Reply #19 –
Yahoo Message Number: 20750
The air temp sensor can also cause the problem as well as the coolant temp sensor. The source of my problem was the air temp sensor located in the intercooling duct in the Charge Air Cooling system.
Replacing the fan controller didn't help mine but replacing the air temp sensor caused the fan to cycle to idle whenever there was no need for cooling fan to run at high speed.

The fan is definitely causing your dust storm, you shouldn't need baffles.
Ray

2000 Intrigue

Re: Dust Storm Issue Question - Again

Reply #20 –
Yahoo Message Number: 20759
My experience with our 2002 Allure is that if the fan is running at full speed, it will hold (suck) a 8.5 x 11 inch piece of paper to the side grill when parked. When it is not running at full speed, the paper will fall off. Very simple test.

I had the controller fixed several years ago, but have tested the above procedure by pulling the proper fuse in the left front compartment (which simulates a failure and forces full speed). Full speed can also be force by disconnecting the proper cable from the controller.
Herb

2002 Allure #30690

Quote from: rvrobert2003

Re: Dust Storm Issue Question - Again

Reply #21 –
Yahoo Message Number: 20776

Thanks for all your responses and suggestions of things to do and try to alleviate this on going, frustrating dust problem. We were in the Palm Springs area and I was following my husband in the car in a paved parking lot and when I saw the dust AGAIN, I decided to call upon the forum members for advice. And as usual - I got help.

Thanks to all.

Happy Trails - Safe Travels

Kathy Marsh

2000 Allure #30536
 

Re: Dust Storm Issue Question - Again

Reply #22 –
Yahoo Message Number: 20802
Kathy

Not sure if you know this, but if you have dash AC on MAX cool it will automatically select the fan to go into high speed. Make sure that is not what you were seeing. My coach works that way.

Jim Hughes

2000 Allure #30511