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Topic: Allison shows OL LO 2....Hmmmm....I think I know what this means but...... (Read 619 times) previous topic - next topic

Allison shows OL LO 2....Hmmmm....I think I know what this means but......

Have spent the last three days in the coach and in the rain....wow...the only thing good about the rain at this point is the yard looks better than it has in years. Ok, I bought my coach May 2 this year, before signing I requested, at my expense, that several things be done....I wanted to start with a clean slate.  One of the things I requested to be done was "check all fluid levels" this request arose from the fact the coolant level showed under the COLD mark during my personal uninformed PDI.  Anyway according to the invoice of 1.5 coach bucks this was done.  So I take the coach to Arkansas the week I pick up the coach.  I am a died in the wool green horn...make no mistake about it.  7 hours up and 7 hours back.  It was great, had a blast, coach ran like a champ.  Today, after sitting for 3 weeks I get the coach ready to go for a short spin as I read I should have filled the tank before I parked the coach....it had 1/2 tank.  I do my pre drive inspection...and I notice the coolant level is right back where it was before I bought the coach....I take a bottle of water...dump it out...fill it with distilled...and pour that in the reservoir and this is enough to hit the COLD mark. 
When I get back from the trip I put the coach in neutral, let is sit for a few minutes, then hit the arrows (up and down) on the transmission....it shows OL LO 2.....this means the oil is 2 quarts LOW correct?!?!
There is no leakage showing under the coach, no tell tale covered in transmission fluid on the back of the coach....I'm kinda wondering if the dealer ( no need for names) interpretation of FULL is different than mine and the transmission sensor.  BTW I pulled the stick...and it showed right at the middle mark....not at all in the HOT range....and certainly not full.
The manual says to use DEXRON III....however I have no idea what the PO used...I am assuming since he has highlighted DEXRON in the manual this is what he would have done.....What should I add?  Does OL LO 2 mean 2 quarts low...manual tends to support this....Let me know what y'all think....and again....as always...thanks in advance for any and all replies! 
Thank you,
Dave
Dave
2002 295 36'
Build 6006
Motorcade Member 17931
Toad 2003 Jeep Wrangler
2008 BMW R1200 GSA

Re: Allison shows OL LO 2....Hmmmm....I think I know what this means but......

Reply #1 –
Dave,

Your interpretation of OL LO 2 is correct -- down 2 quarts. 

That said, however, I'd point out a couple of things.

First, was the coach sitting in a really level spot?  In my experience with a couple coaches the internal oil level sensor is quite sensitive to level on both axes.

Second, it is possible that your " let is sit for a few minutes" wasn't sufficient time.  I've been fooled several times that way myself.  Now, I put it in neutral, park brake on, at standard idle and walk around the coach/car for a post trip assessment before triggering the oil level cycle.

Your confirmation with the dip stick tends to indicate that there might be a difference in interpretation with the service center.

I can't offer any personal comment on the Dexron III as I have always used Transynd.  However, there has been another recent thread discussing the risks of using Dexron now that the standard for it is no longer supported.  You might want to do a search for that.
Regards

1997 U295 40 with CAT 3126

Re: Allison shows OL LO 2....Hmmmm....I think I know what this means but......

Reply #2 –
If the coach is on reasonably level ground and level the coach with the HWH you should be fine.  The countdown on the pad is enough time to wait.  If you don't know you have Transynd, I'd use Dexron until your next change, then switch to Transynd.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R

Re: Allison shows OL LO 2....Hmmmm....I think I know what this means but......

Reply #3 –
Coach has to be on level ground. Using HWH will do nothing for getting an accurate reading on Tranny or  since they stay with the frame. Gotta have level ground.
Larry
1996 U295 36'
Build # 4805
Actually we sold it but just like to lurk

Re: Allison shows OL LO 2....Hmmmm....I think I know what this means but......

Reply #4 –
Quote from: lgshoup –
Coach has to be on level ground. Using HWH will do nothing for getting an accurate reading on Tranny or  since they stay with the frame. Gotta have level ground.


Are you sure about this? It seems from looking under foretravels that the transmission is firmly mounted to the chassis, not the unsprung assembly that would be out of level when the rv itsself is leveled. I do believe a properly leveled rv would result in a leveled transmission as well (since I used the airbags to raise the rv to get under it, and the transmission also raised up, it is leveled by the airbags, correct?)
95 U300SE

Re: Allison shows OL LO 2....Hmmmm....I think I know what this means but......

Reply #5 –
Dave,
"The manual says to use DEXRON III....however I have no idea what the PO used...I am assuming since he has highlighted DEXRON in the manual this is what he would have done"

I have a 03 295. I was just at FT two weeks ago and they checked and confirmed that my 03 295 should be running with Transynd oil. They indicated that as of 03-04 or maybe they had said 02-03 (I am not sure) Allison started using Transynd as standard oil. Call them and find out. Nevertheless I do not see any harm if it was Dexron and you add 2q of Transynd. If you were to drain the Trans oil and replaced it with new Transynd as I did and if it had some other brand, there will be some ratio of mixture anyhow, unless you flushed the whole system with new oil all together, almost no one ever do this, that I know of.
As far as OL LO 2. Please read the instructions one more time. It looks like your countdown was interrupted. You should be getting clear "Lo" anyway It may be good to check it one more time on a level place and HWH leveled at the same time.
Enjoy your new FT & welcome to our foreforums.
AL
Former 2003 GV U295 (6230) (2015 - 2025)
Former 94 GV U225 (2013-2016)

Re: Allison shows OL LO 2....Hmmmm....I think I know what this means but......

Reply #6 –
Quote from: rvlooker –

...since I used the airbags to raise the rv to get under it, and the transmission also raised up, it is leveled by the airbags, correct?)
Yes, you are correct.  The transmission moves up and down when you inflate and deflate the air bags.  The rear axel does not.  This is why there is a 5 mph speed restriction if you have to drive the coach when at full "raise" or full "dump" position - because the extreme driveshaft angle is hard on the U-joints.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"
 

Re: Allison shows OL LO 2....Hmmmm....I think I know what this means but......

Reply #7 –
Called MOT yesterday, spoke with Keith Risch, Keith knows his stuff, I ALWAYS learn something when I get to speak with him.  Anyway, just a couple of things...apparently one way to tell which fluid is in the trans is by the color...according to Keith the Dexron is the traditional red and the transyn is more of a clear with an orange tint.  Keith mentioned as we spoke it was a "good thing" I called as I was under the assumption (we all know what happens when you assume!) I had Dexron and just by describing the color Keith said ...nope not Dexron.  Anyway Keith told me to bring the coach up there which I did and MOT topped it off, gave me the rest of the jug, and tested the readout on the allison which immediately said ol OK. Success. 
Dave
2002 295 36'
Build 6006
Motorcade Member 17931
Toad 2003 Jeep Wrangler
2008 BMW R1200 GSA