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Topic: I messed up bad!! Need advice (Read 383 times) previous topic - next topic

I messed up bad!! Need advice

I was changing the oil and when refilling just did not pay attention and put the oil in the transmission filler. I know total bone head move. Just screwed up and leave it at that. But what are my options. I stopped filling after the pump maybe got 5 gal in it. Can I just drain the trans and refill it a couple of times to flush the oil out? I sure hope I can correct this.
Jeff & Carolyn
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel

Re: I messed up bad!! Need advice

Reply #1 –
Where it me I would drain the trans and drop the filters. Assuming you have not started it. Replace the filters and let it drain good. Refill with transend fluid and new filters. As long as you have not started it I would think no motor oil got in the torque converter and cooler. Chev with an Allison dealer but a little motor oil is not going to hurt anything. Keep in mind you at going to get about 10 gal of oil to deal with. It will take you about 7 gallons of Allison transend oil to re fill the trans. I don't think you need to do a flush. Before the advent of synthetic oil's Allison used to run motor oil/ hydraulic fluid.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: I messed up bad!! Need advice

Reply #2 –
No start and good thing since no oil in the motor. Sheesh. Draining trans now to evaluate. I thought I would have to change the filters as well. I hope this is the solution as this would be best case scenario
Jeff & Carolyn
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel

Re: I messed up bad!! Need advice

Reply #3 –
Quote from: bbeane –
Before the advent of synthetic oil's Allison used to run motor oil/ hydraulic fluid.
Old school tech.  My Allison has been running conventional DEXRON ATF since it was brand new, and after 200,000 miles still works perfectly.
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: I messed up bad!! Need advice

Reply #4 –
I think your ok doing like Bruce said..... transmission fluid is a little higher refined hydraulic oil and hydraulic fluid is higher refined motor oil..... who knows, you may have found a better way of doing it. However call Stewart - Stevenson or some other Allison dealer and get their opinion.
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Lynn & Marilyn Sickel
Tollville, AR
1997  U320  40'
2021 Chevrolet Silverado pickup
Motorcader  17257

Re: I messed up bad!! Need advice

Reply #5 –
Clearly could see the clean motor oil coming out when draining. When dropping the filter, I did not see any motor oil. It was very red. That may make sense since I would think that fluid is pumped into the filters. I put the plug in and put a gallon of transynd in. Then drained it again and it was very red. The filters are new so I think I should be able to reuse them. I will have to go buy a boat load of fluid but it will be worth it if I am successful. fingers crossed.

And thanks all for those very quick responses. Avoided a heart attack!!!
Jeff & Carolyn
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel

Re: I messed up bad!! Need advice

Reply #6 –
At least you figured out your mistake before you compounded the problem. I would definitely do as Fourwheelers suggested and call Allison to see if there is a potential problem that nobody is thinking about.
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: I messed up bad!! Need advice

Reply #7 –
As suggested, I called an Allision tech as well. He said if it was not started it is a non-issue. Just drain and replace with proper fluid and all will be fine. What a relief.
Jeff & Carolyn
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel

Re: I messed up bad!! Need advice

Reply #8 –
So the motor oil would not have gotten into the two filters??
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: I messed up bad!! Need advice

Reply #9 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
So the motor oil would not have gotten into the two filters??

I assume not?? Since the pump never ran. I did drop both of them and they both only had red fluid from what I could tell. Not much fluid came from them either. Maybe because I drained the pan already. When I drained the pan I could clearly see the motor oil mixed with the fluid. It seemed to come out in greater quantity at first. Not sure if the motor oil is heavier than the trans fluid.
Jeff & Carolyn
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
 

Re: I messed up bad!! Need advice

Reply #10 –
I have a 2003 Oshkosh MK 23 military truck that has a 7 speed Alison transmission that runs 15-40 Delo diesel motor oil in it. I don't think you hurt the transmission just pouring in motor oil in it and draining it out.
Mike & Donna Mariana + Angel & Rusty
2003 U295 3620
Build# 6118
2021 Jeep Wrangler 392