Transynd vs Dexron VI

[Coach_Cleats]

Can Dexron VI be used to replace Transynd on my 2004 Allison 3000 transmission for a fluid and filter change?

[moisheh]

The op has an allison 3000. If he does not have transynd that is what he should buy. That fluid will outlive the driver.
Moisheh

[wq93]

As noted by an earlier poster, some of the earlier Allison production used seals that were not compatible with Dexron VI but were compatible with the earlier Dexron III. I would definitely NOT put Dex VI in a 2004 since the Dexron VI fluid spec did not come out until 2005. I had to check the Allison serial # when I had my 2006 GMC Sierra to see if it had Dexron VI compatible seals.

Use the recommended Allison Transynd, this is a case where trying to save a few dollars can result in a short term savings with a big long term expense when seals harden from exposure to the wrong fluid.

[Grabo64]

Chevrolet Dealer (Ourisman in Alexandria, VA) specified and sold me AC Delco Dexron VI for my 2004 Duramax with Allison.  

[rgatijnet1]

Transmission fluid temperature is one of the things that I monitored continuously with a digital scan gauge. Since we mostly traveled in the Western mountains and always towed, I felt it was an important thing to monitor. Naturally traveling from Florida, I always had quite a few miles of flat and level travel before I got out west. After I switched from Dex III to Transynd I noticed that my normal cruise fluid temperature had dropped about 10 degrees. The transmission also seemed to shift smoother. That was close to 60,000 miles ago and my Allison transmission still shifts like new and my fluid looks like it was put in yesterday. I do change the external spin-on filter every 10,000 miles and top off the fluid. I know that there is probably no need to do this but the filter has a magnet that I always check to see if everything is OK. So far the magnet has always been clean and the cost for an external Allison filter is cheap.

[FIRE_UP]

Well,
Our coach, an '04 Itasca Horizon 36GD with the C-7 330HP CAT and the Allison MH3000 trans was outfitted from the factory with Dex III or IV, I can't remember. If I recall, by reading up on it waaaaaaay back then, the MH3000 units came with Dexron but, the 4000 units came with Transynd.

But, contacted the gent mentioned earlier who's the foremost authority on Allisons and he advised me on the correct procedure for a complete change-over to Transynd. I did that about 5-6 years ago and have been happy ever since. I now have about 45,000 miles on that change. Trans works like a gem. Personally, I'd never dump any Dexron back into a trans that's full of and, been operating on Transynd.
Scott

[Clay_L]

RCMAN46 wrote:

RCMAN46 wrote:
I am almost sure your 2004 Allison has seals that are not compatible with Dextron VI but they are compatible with Transynd.

Dextron VI post #63

I may be wrong as I did not notice it was an Allison 3000 but what I have indicated is true for a 2004 Allison 1000.

My 2004 Winnebago Sightseer with an Allison 1000 came with Dextron. I switched to Transyd at about 20000 miles per Allison's recommendation. As I recall Winnebago started using Transyd towards the end of 2004.

[jorbill2or]

Again , for the op ... “coach” and his 2004 Allison 3000 , while it may be compatible.. there is no reason other than cost to do it. If cost is important then just test the fluid ( 30 bucks) and do a filter change , with the required addition of transynd to the proper level .. the OP and any motorhome Allison 3000/4000 should never need to change fluid ! Provided it’s tested regularly and there are no issues of contamination. Synthetic fluid doesn’t “age out “

[Blaster_Man]

pigman1 wrote:

rgatijnet1 wrote:
Allison ONLY recommends transmission fluid that is TES-295 approved. Several manufacturers meet this spec. I would not use any fluid that does not say that it meets the Allison TES-295 specifications. The older transmissions did come with a non-295 Fluid, probably Dex III in your case, but why go with any inferior fluid when Allison now recommends a fluid that meets TES-295 in their older transmissions. You do not have to buy Allison fluid if you don't want to give them the money but I would definitely recommend buying the newer spec fluid from someone, anyone, instead of using an older fluid. Saving a few bucks on a transmission that can cost $5000+ to repair just doesn't make sense. BP, Castrol, and others make the TES-295 fluid that you need. Try to find one on sale and use the right, most recent fluid, instead of using a fluid that Allison abandoned many years ago for their transmissions.

This is the answer. If you want a graduate education on TES-295 fluid go to http://www.irv2.com/forums/f125/former-allison-transmission-fluids-engineer-89293.html but be prepared to read 51+ pages. EVERYTHING you need to know.

I talked to Tom Johnson last week about the sample of trans fluid I sent for testing. He said if you test the fluid annually, and it tests okay, the fluid is good for 300,000 miles...in other words "life" for an RV. The biggest concern is that it could get contaminated by coolant, engine oil, etc.

[pigman1]

rgatijnet1 wrote:
Allison ONLY recommends transmission fluid that is TES-295 approved. Several manufacturers meet this spec. I would not use any fluid that does not say that it meets the Allison TES-295 specifications. The older transmissions did come with a non-295 Fluid, probably Dex III in your case, but why go with any inferior fluid when Allison now recommends a fluid that meets TES-295 in their older transmissions. You do not have to buy Allison fluid if you don't want to give them the money but I would definitely recommend buying the newer spec fluid from someone, anyone, instead of using an older fluid. Saving a few bucks on a transmission that can cost $5000+ to repair just doesn't make sense. BP, Castrol, and others make the TES-295 fluid that you need. Try to find one on sale and use the right, most recent fluid, instead of using a fluid that Allison abandoned many years ago for their transmissions.

This is the answer. If you want a graduate education on TES-295 fluid go to http://www.irv2.com/forums/f125/former-allison-transmission-fluids-engineer-89293.html but be prepared to read 51+ pages. EVERYTHING you need to know.

[Charlie_D_]

rgatijnet1 wrote:

Charlie D. wrote:

Allison ONLY recommends transmission fluid that is TES-295 approved.

The Diesel Supplement manual for the 2018 D/A recommends Dexron VI above temps of -40 F. Below that it specifies TES 295. That holds true for 2013 and up model years

So basically anyone that has an Allison transmission anywhere other than the frozen arctic should not use Transynd TES-295 rated fluid, since most of the lower 48 has temps above -40 F. Only use TES-295 for temps less than -40 F. I think you need to reread your source. :B

You need to reread my quote. I quoted the manual and it's recommendations. Neither the manual or I said NOT to use Transynd. My source is from GM page 125 of the Duramax Diesel Supplement. It has been in that manual from when I bought my first 2006 GM diesel and 2013 and 2018.

" DEXRON®-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Allison Transmission Only: For areas where ambient temperatures are
below -40°C (-40°F) use Synthetic Transmission Fluid approved to Allison Transmission specification TES-295 (GM Part No. 12378515, in Canada 88900701)."

[rgatijnet1]

Charlie D. wrote:

Allison ONLY recommends transmission fluid that is TES-295 approved.

The Diesel Supplement manual for the 2018 D/A recommends Dexron VI above temps of -40 F. Below that it specifies TES 295. That holds true for 2013 and up model years

So basically anyone that has an Allison transmission anywhere other than the frozen arctic should not use Transynd TES-295 rated fluid, since most of the lower 48 has temps above -40 F. Only use TES-295 for temps less than -40 F. I think you need to reread your source. :B

[Charlie_D_]

Allison ONLY recommends transmission fluid that is TES-295 approved.

The Diesel Supplement manual for the 2018 D/A recommends Dexron VI above temps of -40 F. Below that it specifies TES 295. That holds true for 2013 and up model years

[wolfe10]

If the question is "should I change the fluid":

How many years old/how many miles on it?

[RCMAN46]

RCMAN46 wrote:
I am almost sure your 2004 Allison has seals that are not compatible with Dextron VI but they are compatible with Transynd.

Dextron VI post #63

I may be wrong as I did not notice it was an Allison 3000 but what I have indicated is true for a 2004 Allison 1000.