Let Me Know if You Have Allison Transmission Fluid Questions

They are both wrong. To get the full effects of Transynd you should drain the transmission pan-do not remove it-twice. Refilling with Transynd both times. I ran a couple of hundred miles before doing the second drain. Changed the spin on filter the second time. If you read your manual, Chevy says not to flush the transmission. I know it is a lot of reading but all of your answers can be found by reading the posts by "hzjcm8" He is the expert.

dennis1 wrote:
Hello,
I have a 2007 Duramax Chevy with Allison 6 Speed Trans. Had the Allison dealer change the spin on filter and refill with Transend. They say no need to drain everything. That's is only needed if you rebuild. The Chevy dealer say drain everything including the lines to the radiator and refill and replace filter. Who is correct? I took the cheaper route from the allison dealer.

Both are wrong. Go to the Allison website and read the correct procedure. In order for the transmission to be considered to be 100% synthetic fluid, Allison has a set procedure and neither one gave you the correct information.

Hello,
I have a 2007 Duramax Chevy with Allison 6 Speed Trans. Had the Allison dealer change the spin on filter and refill with Transend. They say no need to drain everything. That's is only needed if you rebuild. The Chevy dealer say drain everything including the lines to the radiator and refill and replace filter. Who is correct? I took the cheaper route from the allison dealer.

most probably a reference to the fact that there has been no activity for a few months on this thread ... guessing that this thread is "cold & lonely" with no one posting ?

Coyote74 wrote:
I have purchased a 2004 winnebago adventurer w allison 1000. The books have paper advertisement refering to trans synd fluids. The rv has 33,000 miles, 1 owner before me. Bought from a dealer. How do I tell if has dexron3 or trans synd. Work horse says use dex 3. Would a test kit for fluids work or is dex 3 in the 2004s.?

Coyote74,
I will try to monitor this forum more often. I had not been on the forum for awhile as it didn't seem to have much going for Allison fluid conversations. I'm here to help. So, ask away !!!

Do an oil analysis and let me take a look at the results. Send me a PM and I can recommend a fluid analysis service. Unlike TranSynd (or one of the other TES-295 approved fluids), DEXRON-III fluids will lose viscosity and thin out over time making them subject to more frequent fluid changes. Workhorse may say DEXRON-III but don't use it. Most of them are not licensed. GM no longer licenses DEXRON-III since the specification has obsoleted around 2006. I know .... I used to sit on the GM Automatic Transmission Fluid Committee. We approved DEXRON-III fluids for the US and World market. The committee began licensing DEXRON-VI fluids and GM obsoleted the old DEXRON-IIIH specification at that time.

My recommendation is to get the transmission fluid analyzed and then go from there. You'll need to use an Advanced Test Kit that includes both TAN (Total Acid Number)and FTIR (Fourier Transform Infra-Red) spectroscopy analysis. This will show if the fluid is an older DEXRON-III or TranSynd (or similar TES-295) fluid. Once you know for sure what's in the tranny, then you can make an "educated" decision based on scientific data.

Again, I can help with the fluid analysis but you'll need to send me a PM.

Hope this helps !!!

Coyote74 wrote:
workhorse chassis guide states on page 63, 2001 W22 22,000 chassis from 2001- 4/5/2005 all have dexron3. 4/2006 chassis builds have transynd. The dipstick is embossed with dexron3.

I guess the oil test will tell for sure.

thanks for the input.

Yes, but previous owner may have changed it to Transynd, I did on mine 70k miles before I sold it.

workhorse chassis guide states on page 63, 2001 W22 22,000 chassis from 2001- 4/5/2005 all have dexron3. 4/2006 chassis builds have transynd. The dipstick is embossed with dexron3.

I guess the oil test will tell for sure.

thanks for the input.

I don't have a problem. just trying to figure what I need to top it off with if I ever h.ave to.

Coyote74 wrote:
I have purchased a 2004 winnebago adventurer w allison 1000. The books have paper advertisement refering to trans synd fluids. The rv has 33,000 miles, 1 owner before me. Bought from a dealer. How do I tell if has dexron3 or trans synd. Work horse says use dex 3. Would a test kit for fluids work or is dex 3 in the 2004s.?

My former 04 coach on Workhorse with Allison came with Dexron. That was specified by the coach mfg, Fleetwood. I waited until my 50k for change to have it changed to Tran synd at a truck service place.

If you go to a place that services Allison transmissions they will know what you have. The extra cost for the synthetic is small enough compared to a new/rebuilt that it surely is worth it. Unless you have a problem you should be able to wait until you turn 50k before dealing with it.

Coyote74 wrote:
I have purchased a 2004 winnebago adventurer w allison 1000. The books have paper advertisement refering to trans synd fluids. The rv has 33,000 miles, 1 owner before me. Bought from a dealer. How do I tell if has dexron3 or trans synd. Work horse says use dex 3. Would a test kit for fluids work or is dex 3 in the 2004s.?

...........Trans Synd is THE OFFICIAL transmission fluid with the TES 295 certification developed specifically for Allison transmissions ! IT is the fluid used for commercial service in Allisons .
..........Dexron is specified By GMC in the Allison's in their diesel trucks ! You should never let a GM dealer service the Ally in your motor home because they will try and sell you.....Dexron.....! Always take your MH to a Commercial Truck dealer that sells and services Allisons , so , they will use Trans Synd fluid. NEVER......allow your Ally to be flushed , Unless you're going to have it Rebuilt ! Change the fluid and the RED , Allison spin on filter . , jf