NRALIFR wrote:
wny_pat wrote:
http://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubricants.com/Main/quickref/mantrans.pdf
Thanks. I had found that document a few months back, which specifies SYNTHETIC BLEND MERCON® V for my trans. Trouble is, since filling it with that, it's been very difficult to NOT grind the gears shifting from 1st to 2nd when the trans is cold. Once it warms up it's OK, but when it's cold, it takes some very slow, deliberate shifts to get it into 2nd without grinding.
The trans was originally filled with full synthetic Mercon (not Mercon V), so I'd at least like to try going back to a full synthetic ATF. I've run across more than one source that appeared to be saying that CASTROL TRANSMAX-S and TRANSYND are (were) the same product. As far as I can tell, Castrol still makes Transynd for Allison. Since it's one of the fluids recommended by ZF, is (as far as I can tell) full synthetic, and most importantly is still available, I thought I'd pick Tom's brain for any knowledge he may have about it. It's also reasonably priced compared to other full synthetic ATF's that I'm not quite as sure are correct for my trans.
Oh, and I tried sending multiple emails to Castrol asking them that question, and of course got no response. :R
Thanks again.
:):)
NRALIFR,
TranSynd and Castrol Transmax-S are "very similar" in formulation. Castrol discontinued Transmax-S in favor of marketing TranSynd. TranSynd is indeed a "full synthetic" meaning it's made from only PAO (polyalphaolefin) base oils and contains no additives that can shear down. So, it's very stable, both in oxidation resistance and viscosity retention, for a very long period of time. If your ZF manual lists Castrol Transmax-S (TranSYnd) as being OK then, by all means, use TranSynd. It's available at your nearest Allison dealer distributor or some folks carry it on the internet.
Please let me know what else you need.
