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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Lt403 on July 23, 2020, 11:30:34 am

Title: Transmission service
Post by: Lt403 on July 23, 2020, 11:30:34 am
Getting my transmission serviced for the first time since we bought the coach.
About $1200.00 estimate
😯
Includes transynd fluid, 4" sump filter and spin on filter.

I'm at W.W.Williams
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: wolfe10 on July 23, 2020, 11:49:10 am
That is really high.

First, no spin on filter-- there are two filters located under plates that are easily removed with socket/rachet-- come in a filter kit from Allison.

Transynd can be bought by the 5 gallon pail and/or gallon. Again from Allison.

Labor-- takes about one hour to do correctly.

No special tools are needed (other than an inch-pound torque wrench) and the filter kits come with complete instructions, filters and gaskets (more gaskets than you will use so the filter kits fit a number of transmissions-- just use the ones that replace the ones you have on there).

To make sure you get the correct filter kit, give them your transmission SN (on plate on driver's side of transmission).

Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: Chuck Pearson on July 23, 2020, 11:56:38 am
That is pricey.  Just did it myself, the local allison dealer had the filters...about $75.00 for the pair of internal filters (replaced by removing access plates in bottom of trans pan) and best price on Transynd at 34.00/gallon, bought 6 gals so I'd have a spare.  That's on a 3060 trans, may be different for others.

 But I notice something unusual in your WW quote, a sump filter.  This is a strainer, basically, and not normally serviced unless you're having a rebuild done.  Might talk to them about the necessity of this, it requires dropping the pan so is more work.  And as Brett says, don't think there are any spin on filters....
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: Lt403 on July 23, 2020, 12:01:19 pm
Just to let you both know that we are out of here I will get an estimate somewhere else and get a better idea what they're doing.
I guess it's been about four months that I was given an estimate at another location for $600
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: juicesqueezer on July 23, 2020, 12:12:39 pm
Getting my transmission serviced for the first time since we bought the coach.
About $1200.00 estimate
😯
Includes transynd fluid, 4" sump filter and spin on filter.

I'm at W.W.Williams

Frank, if I remember correctly, we had our 4060 trans on our '98 changed to Transfluid at a Cummins service center in Nashville for around $500.  I sure would get some additional quotes from that price!  FWIW!
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: Travelin' Man (RIP) on July 23, 2020, 12:20:01 pm
Frank, DIY.
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: kevo0000 on July 23, 2020, 01:29:42 pm
That is really high.

First, no spin on filter-- there are two filters located under plates that are easily removed with socket/rachet-- come in a filter kit from Allison.

Transynd can be bought by the 5 gallon pail and/or gallon. Again from Allison.

Labor-- takes about one hour to do correctly.

No special tools are needed (other than an inch-pound torque wrench) and the filter kits come with complete instructions, filters and gaskets (more gaskets than you will use so the filter kits fit a number of transmissions-- just use the ones that replace the ones you have on there).

To make sure you get the correct filter kit, give them your transmission SN (on plate on driver's side of transmission).
Just reading your article about transmission service, I need to service my alinsonat545 I , would appreciate any help in finding a supplier of this part and that would be able to ship to UK via usps or fed ex any info would be appreciated, thanks kev
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: TGordon on July 23, 2020, 06:19:42 pm
Does 'Trans Service" consist of more than changing fluids, filters and a visual inspection?
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: John44 on July 23, 2020, 06:29:32 pm
Not that I know of.
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: wolfe10 on July 23, 2020, 06:43:20 pm
Does 'Trans Service" consist of more than changing fluids, filters and a visual inspection?

Yup, that's it.  Guess they/or you could also sit in the driver's seat and using the shift pad check for diagnostic codes.
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: John44 on July 23, 2020, 08:15:56 pm
Maybe they don't like officers,just kidding.
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: dans96u295ft on July 23, 2020, 08:24:36 pm
Run! That's rape!
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: Lt403 on August 11, 2020, 12:53:20 pm
got the transmission serviced at WW Williams in Montgomery, AL.

transynd and high capacity filters $623.96 out the door.

Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: gracerace on August 11, 2020, 01:28:21 pm
$525.00 at truck shop, filter's and change over 3 years ago.

$400.00 second time with no filters at Caterpillar last year. They tend to be higher, but coach was ion for something else.

Chris
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: SteveB on August 11, 2020, 03:27:18 pm
$525.00 at truck shop, filter's and change over 3 years ago.

$400.00 second time with no filters at Caterpillar last year. They tend to be higher, but coach was ion for something else.

Chris
OK, I'll bite. If using Transyn why change the fluid so soon? If using Dexron why not switch to Transyn?
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: Chris m lang on August 11, 2020, 08:17:43 pm
when I did mine last year it was between 400 and 450 12 gallon of transynd and filter kit. tech told me it would hold between 10 and 12 gallon and once it was changed I should be good for 100,000 miles. I plan to do a oil analysis on engine and transmission at least once per year just to be on safe side
Chris
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: Jet Doc on August 11, 2020, 08:22:23 pm
I cannot say enough good things about G & W diesel in Memphis.  They helped me out with a P-3 vibration issue after WW Birmingham told me I didn't have a problem.  (I told WW what to look for) Excellent customer service and very knowledgeable techs.  Eugene is the best. 
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: gracerace on August 11, 2020, 08:52:15 pm
OK, I'll bite. If using Transyn why change the fluid so soon? If using Dexron why not switch to Transyn?

"Change over" was the key word.....Because the transmission was switched from Dexron to Transynd......You have to do one service to Transynd with filters, then dump it again without filters.
There is still old oil in the converter, etc.
It does mix OK

Chris
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: SteveB on August 11, 2020, 08:57:46 pm
Chris, Makes total sense. Thanks for the explanation.
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: gracerace on August 11, 2020, 10:40:23 pm
Chris, Makes total sense. Thanks for the explanation.
Sorry I wasn't clearer......My wife accuses me of that too.... :))
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: dsd on August 12, 2020, 09:41:05 am
Is the oil fill placarded to show to service with Transynd only once serviced?
Scott
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: Chuck Pearson on August 12, 2020, 11:05:23 am
I cannot say enough good things about G & W diesel in Memphis.  They helped me out with a P-3 vibration issue after WW Birmingham told me I didn't have a problem.  (I told WW what to look for) Excellent customer service and very knowledgeable techs.  Eugene is the best. 

Would you share details of what they did and how it worked out?  Thanks.
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: Jet Doc on August 12, 2020, 11:45:22 am
I had a vibration that started at 45 mph and continued from there to whatever speed I had set. The frequency was driveline speed as it felt like a buzz in the steering wheel and your feet.  I could almost hear it.  The forum posts said probably a P-3 bearing...an issue with 3000 series trans especially in the shorter MH's.  Most said about $3K to fix.  I replaced the u-joints hoping for a less expensive fix but no joy.  So I reluctantly took it to a local Allison shop in Birmingham.  They said I didn't have a problem.  I had them change the trans filters so I could check for metal.  Luckily not a single flake. Maybe I was imagining it?  After a 1000 mile trip I couldn't take it anymore. I saw another post where someone mentioned G & W fixed theirs for $900. Long story short...$755 trouble shoot, fix and parts no more vibration.  The P-3 bearing was loose but not damaged.  They jacked up the rear end and pulled the driveshaft ran it up and the vibration was still there so they knew it was in the trans.  4 hours total labor a gallon of Transynd and a seal.  Super nice folks worked me in even though they were very busy.
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: gracerace on August 12, 2020, 11:49:16 am
Is the oil fill placarded to show to service with Transynd only once serviced?
Scott
Foretravel would probably do that, mom and pop truck repair, or Caterpillar didn't.

I just put it in my records

Chris

BTW, they shifts are sweeter, or as Randell Brink said about his "More Elegant"!...I didn't expect that, kind nice.
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: oldguy on August 12, 2020, 12:25:35 pm
I have a 99 Foretravel didn't they come with tranysnd. I will do a oil sample soon to find out.
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: wolfe10 on August 12, 2020, 12:50:41 pm
I have a 99 Foretravel didn't they come with tranysnd. I will do a oil sample soon to find out.

Not sure what fluid was in there 21` years ago is relevant.  Depends on what is in there now, its age and condition.

Said another way, hope you are not running on 21 year old transmission fluid and filters.
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: oldguy on August 12, 2020, 01:33:28 pm
The oil looks good and smells good. I just went out and there an invoice and the last owner had the trans serviced in the last
10,000 miles with tranysnd so I will do an oil sample and go from there. I know when all the other filters were done as the
date and mileage is on all of them including the dryer
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: amos.harrison on August 13, 2020, 06:45:38 am
Remember that retarder use is considered severe service by Allison so it is not a forever lubricant.
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: dsd on August 13, 2020, 11:58:06 pm
Said another way, hope you are not running on 21 year old transmission fluid and filters. Oh good. I feel much better now, my trans fluid what ever it is smells good and can only be 19 years old.    Yes it's on the list and will be serviced before it's used again. Curious thou if it does have the preferred fluid. Would like to know so as I can plan if I need to perform the second drain and refill to Thoroughly flush the system. So was there a actual start year for the tranysnd Oil?
Scott
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: amos.harrison on August 14, 2020, 07:56:21 am
Talk to Blackstone Labs and ask if they can tell what you have from an oil sample.  It would be good to take an oil sample and send it in to know your starting point.
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: wayne m on August 14, 2020, 09:54:59 am
when changed at an allison shop, they put a sticker in the engine
compartment, that says the fluid is transynd.
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: dsd on August 14, 2020, 03:22:18 pm
Wayne this is what I had thought. Because of the nonexistent records I will plan for worst. I checked the compartment and dip stick but nothing mentions fluid type. It will be placarded when I'm done thou. Thanks
Scott
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: Chuck Pearson on August 15, 2020, 07:38:51 am
Talk to Blackstone Labs and ask if they can tell what you have from an oil sample.  It would be good to take an oil sample and send it in to know your starting point.

I believe it was blackstone, but not 100% sure, asked them this question, they replied they could not identify type of fluid.  Given it's not that expensive to change fluid, and the cost of a rebuilt trans the choice was clear.
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: John44 on August 15, 2020, 07:59:17 am
Many oil sample companies ask for a new base sample with your used sample to get a starting point,BD Holt in Corpus Christi
used to have a lab on the premises and that's how they sampled.
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: dsd on August 15, 2020, 02:47:45 pm
Yes being it a unknown to me I will change to the new fluid then perform the reservice as they recommend. Getting a base sample will happen after the reservice. Placard the oil fill to show type of oil. Probably will placard date and engine hours of change. I'll get to in in the next month. 19 years and a month won't matter at this point. Would like to install sample port but have concerns about being on the bottom of the trans because of road damage. I'll look at it more.
Scott
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: John44 on August 15, 2020, 03:06:41 pm
They do make the oil sample suction guns,the bottle screws into the gun and you use new 1/4 inch clear hose every sample,it fits
down the dipstick tube.
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: dsd on August 15, 2020, 11:21:49 pm
Yes they do have the sample pumps one time purchase of around 30$. Will need two they say, one for oil one for antifreeze. I would personally just take I piece of scrap nylon plate I have and drill two holes thru it to fit two tubes. One for sample hose and one for vacuum pump I already own. You just hold on top of the sample jar and it will pull thru. The sample port they say give a better example of your fluid. But for me I agree with you toI sample thru the dip stick tube should be fine.
Scott
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: dsd on January 15, 2022, 10:30:23 am
That is pricey.  Just did it myself, the local allison dealer had the filters...about $75.00 for the pair of internal filters (replaced by removing access plates in bottom of trans pan) and best price on Transynd at 34.00/gallon, bought 6 gals so I'd have a spare.  That's on a 3060 trans, may be different for others.

 But I notice something unusual in your WW quote, a sump filter.  This is a strainer, basically, and not normally serviced unless you're having a rebuild done.  Might talk to them about the necessity of this, it requires dropping the pan so is more work.  And as Brett says, don't think there are any spin on filters....
Painful price increase
$70 bucks a gallon
Amazon.com: Allison 27101-CTCS Genuine TranSynd Transmission Fluid : Automotive (https://www.amazon.com/Allison-27101-CTCS-Genuine-TranSynd-Transmission/dp/B07DCG4L5F/ref=sr_1_3?crid=G24D1X79SZM2&keywords=transynd+allison+transmission+fluid&qid=1642260531&sprefix=Transynd+%2Caps%2C144&sr=8-3)
Please stay seated and dont extend your arms during the ride
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: wolfe10 on January 15, 2022, 10:40:25 am
Compare with the price of a 5 gallon pail of the same fluid from Allison.  That will service the 3000 series.
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: dsd on January 15, 2022, 10:57:14 am
I just couldnt believe the increase. So glad i did last year so its a non issue for me. I would put off if i was going to service. This is crazy stupid
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: bbeane on January 15, 2022, 11:00:24 am
There are other trans fluid brands the meet the TES 295 spec for Allison. I get mine from the truck dealers Mack, NAVSTAR etc. around 200 bucks 5 gallons.
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: craneman on January 15, 2022, 11:06:04 am
Painful price increase
$70 bucks a gallon
Amazon.com: Allison 27101-CTCS Genuine TranSynd Transmission Fluid : Automotive (https://www.amazon.com/Allison-27101-CTCS-Genuine-TranSynd-Transmission/dp/B07DCG4L5F/ref=sr_1_3?crid=G24D1X79SZM2&keywords=transynd+allison+transmission+fluid&qid=1642260531&sprefix=Transynd+%2Caps%2C144&sr=8-3)
Please stay seated and dont extend your arms during the ride

TranSynd Synthetic Transmission Fluid, 5 Gallon, Compatible with 295 and... (https://www.dieseldash.com/27101-CTPPL-transynd-synthetic-transmission-fluid-5-gallon-compatible-with-295-and-468-for-use-with-hybrids?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=12557161432&utm_term=&utm_content=125005766399__538735685740_c&gclid=CjwKCAiA_omPBhBBEiwAcg7smTvo1wKNSJ95IY84kOtMj8-Ljcqn1GxTYBAlVfBe_Jh3LEo2VPS0TBoCkk4QAvD_BwE)
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: dsd on January 15, 2022, 11:08:27 am
There are other trans fluid brands the meet the TES 295 spec for Allison. I get mine from the truck dealers Mack, NAVSTAR etc. around 200 bucks 5 gallons.
That's what i just found
TranSynd Synthetic Transmission Fluid, 5 Gallon, Compatible with 295 and... (https://www.dieseldash.com/27101-CTPPL-transynd-synthetic-transmission-fluid-5-gallon-compatible-with-295-and-468-for-use-with-hybrids?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=12557161432&utm_term=&utm_content=125005766399__538735685740_c&gclid=CjwKCAiA_omPBhBBEiwAcg7smW-LShBgq-XYT2i1Z1DuAPvFetnY2TTQaKR9_b7-estTP4lm9wxPpxoCf3UQAvD_BwE)
Plus shipping
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: propman on January 15, 2022, 05:06:13 pm
Just in case you did not see this : https://youtu.be/XvJ7oTq1-O8
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: MarkC on January 15, 2022, 05:56:05 pm
This price is a little better.

TranSynd Synthetic Transmission Fluid, 1 Gallon, Compatible with 295 and... (https://www.dieseldash.com/oils-fluids-lubricants/transmission-fluid/27101-CTCS-transynd-synthetic-transmission-fluid-1-gallon-compatible-with-295-and-468-for-use-with-hybrids?cclcl=en_US)
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: wolfe10 on January 15, 2022, 06:09:24 pm
Be careful with "compatible with" VS "IS".

You absolutely do want the new generation fluid Allison 668, not the old 295!

This comes from Tom Johnson, the retired Allison engineer who developed Transynd 295.  Yes, it would be unreasonable that strides in fluid chemistry had not been made in the last decade. Yup, they have.
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: propman on January 15, 2022, 08:23:20 pm
Be careful with "compatible with" VS "IS".

You absolutely do want the new generation fluid Allison 668, not the old 295!

This comes from Tom Johnson, the retired Allison engineer who developed Transynd 295.  Yes, it would be unreasonable that strides in fluid chemistry had not been made in the last decade. Yup, they have.
So this is what we should use : Castrol TranSynd 668 Allison 2021 Updated SPEC (https://www.amazon.com/Stone-River-Products-TranSynd-WORLDWIDE/dp/B095SZB2DK/ref=asc_df_B095SZB2DK/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=508179875480&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=755047040550343260&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9027305&hvtargid=pla-1312374045000&psc=1).    ?
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: craneman on January 15, 2022, 08:42:16 pm
Actually cheaper than 295!!


TranSynd 668 Transmission Fluid, 5 Gallon, Backwards Compatible with 295 and... (https://www.dieseldash.com/oils-fluids-lubricants/transmission-fluid/15E2E0-transynd-668-transmission-fluid-5-gallon-backwards-compatible-with-295-and-468-not-for-use-with-all-hybrids?cclcl=en_US)
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: Jason on January 16, 2022, 06:53:48 am
Just in case you did not see this : https://youtu.be/XvJ7oTq1-O8

Did you make that?
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: propman on January 16, 2022, 02:53:30 pm
Not me. Mark D
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: warbirdlvr on January 17, 2022, 12:14:21 pm
Question? MT-643 takes Dexron III, C4. Our coach is a 1989 model. Any issues going to full synthetic fluid on it? 77,000 miles on coach.....
Title: Re: Transmission service
Post by: bbeane on January 17, 2022, 01:11:57 pm
Talk to Allison to
Get the best answers.