Electronic Dipstick on my Allison Tranny

Topic: Electronic Dipstick on my Allison Tranny (Read 1939 times) previous topic - next topic

Electronic Dipstick on my Allison Tranny

April 17, 2012, 01:17:48 pm

Hello again!

Yesterday, after my 30 day exercise run of my 1999 U320 I checked the tranny oil level.

This came up over and over: oLLo6

The closest I could come to this is 6 quarts low. But the low fault code does not suggest a second "L"

Any suggestions?

best, paul

Re: Electronic Dipstick on my Allison Tranny

Reply #1 – April 17, 2012, 03:02:22 pm

Paul,

The display in this Allison brochure shows "oL Lo 02" as an example. The brochure also gives some criteria for starting the test. http://www.allisontransmission.com/servlet/DownloadFile?Dir=publications/pubs&FileToGet=SA3360EN.pdf

Try adding one or two quarts and test again to see what happens. You could also check it with the steel dipstick to see if that measurement corresponds to the electronic dipstick.

Some time back, our tranny showed low on the electronic dipstick. I don't remember if it showed down one or two quarts. I added a quart of fluid, and the electronic dipstick now shows that oil is +-0.

Re: Electronic Dipstick on my Allison Tranny

Reply #2 – April 17, 2012, 03:13:21 pm

Thanks!

The Allison document I downloaded and much longer and less informative than the one you sent a link to.

Where's a good place to get Transynd?

best, paul

Quote

Try adding one or two quarts and test again to see what happens. You could also check it with the steel dipstick to see if that measurement corresponds to the electronic dipstick.

Some time back, our tranny showed low on the electronic dipstick. I don't remember if it showed down one or two quarts. I added a quart of fluid, and the electronic dipstick now shows that oil is +-0.

Re: Electronic Dipstick on my Allison Tranny

Reply #3 – April 17, 2012, 04:18:53 pm

Gary Bouland--see his topic
John

Re: Electronic Dipstick on my Allison Tranny

Reply #4 – April 17, 2012, 05:06:20 pm

Transynd oil can be bought at any Detroit Diesel dealer or any Allison dealer .It can also be bought at most NAPA stores . Brad Metzger

Re: Electronic Dipstick on my Allison Tranny

Reply #5 – April 18, 2012, 03:01:57 pm

Quote

The display in this Allison brochure shows "oL Lo 02" as an example. The brochure also gives some criteria for starting the test. < http://www.allisontransmission.com/servlet/DownloadFile?Dir=publications/pubs&FileToGet=SA3360EN.pdf

Try adding one or two quarts and test again to see what happens. You could also check it with the steel dipstick to see if that measurement corresponds to the electronic dipstick.

Some time back, our tranny showed low on the electronic dipstick. I don't remember if it showed down one or two quarts. I added a quart of fluid, and the electronic dipstick now shows that oil is +-0.

The steel dipstick appears to say it's a bit low.

Do I add the transynd through the dipstick opening?

How many quarts is full? In other words, how low is 6 quarts below the target? 1999 U320.

Another posting here seem to suggest allisons were known to be leakers much more than cummins' engines. Is this so?

best, paul

Re: Electronic Dipstick on my Allison Tranny

Reply #6 – April 18, 2012, 03:23:15 pm

Paul, The only leak I ever had with my Allison was when the tech FAILED to torque the filter cover bolts correctly. It seeped til next change at which time tech torqued them. Leakage was less than a quart in a years period. Where I store coach I put a piece of cardboard down under engine, I have an ongoing front engine seal leak but no tranny leak.

Gary B

Re: Electronic Dipstick on my Allison Tranny

Reply #7 – April 18, 2012, 10:22:46 pm

Allisons don't leak. Yes, add Transynd through the dipstick tube. The transmission holds about as much oil as the engine, so 6 quarts would be about 14% low. If the trans was once correctly filled, you should be looking at a mess under it. As was recommended, add one quart at a time and re-check.

Re: Electronic Dipstick on my Allison Tranny

Reply #8 – April 19, 2012, 01:55:33 am

If I remember correctly the dip sticks turned out to need calibrating on most Allison trans.

You guys are really taxing my memories from 25years ago a a foretravel geek manager.

Bob

Re: Electronic Dipstick on my Allison Tranny

Reply #9 – April 19, 2012, 12:27:41 pm

Quote

Allisons don't leak. Yes, add Transynd through the dipstick tube. The transmission holds about as much oil as the engine, so 6 quarts would be about 14% low. If the trans was once correctly filled, you should be looking at a mess under it. As was recommended, add one quart at a time and re-check.

In the cool of this morning, with cool oil, the dipstick tells me the oil is about 1/8 inch below the Hot line.

The electronic dipstick tells me I'm 6 quarts low. 6/0.14 = 42 quarts. Is this the full amount?

So if I interpret another posting here, I've calibrated my dipstick: 6 quarts low is 1/8 inch below the hot line with cool oil.

Correct?

Now adding 1 quart and rechecking. Can I do this by warming the engine tranny in place? Or do I have to warm up by driving?

best, paul

Re: Electronic Dipstick on my Allison Tranny

Reply #10 – April 19, 2012, 03:19:52 pm

Paul,

I was wrong about the Allison capacity. My manual says the refill capacity is 28 quarts. Idling the coach won't change tranny temp much. You'll have to drive it 20 miles to reach hot condition. I would think being 6 quarts down would be a lot more than 1/8". Is the bottom of the tranny dry?

Re: Electronic Dipstick on my Allison Tranny

Reply #11 – April 19, 2012, 11:09:53 pm

Quote from: Paul Smith – April 19, 2012, 12:27:41 pm

In the cool of this morning, with cool oil, the dipstick tells me the oil is about 1/8 inch below the Hot line.

The electronic dipstick tells me I'm 6 quarts low. 6/0.14 = 42 quarts. Is this the full amount?

So if I interpret another posting here, I've calibrated my dipstick: 6 quarts low is 1/8 inch below the hot line with cool oil.

Correct?

Now adding 1 quart and rechecking. Can I do this by warming the engine tranny in place? Or do I have to warm up by driving?

best, paul

Paul,

According to the brochure I mentioned in a previous post, the transmission oil temperature should be between 140F and 220F in order to check it from the control panel. My understanding is that the temperature must also be in the proper range to check it via the mechanical dipstick.

I have found that I need to drive our coach a few miles at highway speeds in order to get fluid temperatures to operating ranges. For the exercise runs, I drive about five miles on small secondary roads in order to get to a highway. The engine coolant temperature doesn't reach the normal temperature of 180F. I then drive about five miles at 55 to 70 mph. The coolant usually reaches 180F if the ambient temperature is warm. I stop in a parking lot, level the coach, and check the transmission from the control panel.

I think it would be prudent to get everything up to operating temperature and then compare readings from the control panel and the mechanical dipstick. If they vary significantly, you want to seek expert help. If they are similar, adjust fluid a quart at a time and check again.

We had a leaky transmission that was diagnosed by the mechanics at FOT. They found that another shop had overfilled the transmission, and the plug for the alternate position for a dipstick was leaking. They drained some fluid and tightened the plug. We've had no leaks since. I added one quart of Dexron when the control panel indicated that we were low. All has been good since.

Re: Electronic Dipstick on my Allison Tranny

Reply #12 – April 28, 2012, 06:58:00 pm

Quote from: J. D. Stevens – April 19, 2012, 11:09:53 pm

Paul,

According to the brochure I mentioned in a previous post, the transmission oil temperature should be between 140F and 220F in order to check it from the control panel. My understanding is that the temperature must also be in the proper range to check it via the mechanical dipstick.

I have found that I need to drive our coach a few miles at highway speeds in order to get fluid temperatures to operating ranges. For the exercise runs, I drive about five miles on small secondary roads in order to get to a highway. The engine coolant temperature doesn't reach the normal temperature of 180F. I then drive about five miles at 55 to 70 mph. The coolant usually reaches 180F if the ambient temperature is warm. I stop in a parking lot, level the coach, and check the transmission from the control panel.

I think it would be prudent to get everything up to operating temperature and then compare readings from the control panel and the mechanical dipstick. If they vary significantly, you want to seek expert help. If they are similar, adjust fluid a quart at a time and check again.

We had a leaky transmission that was diagnosed by the mechanics at FOT. They found that another shop had overfilled the transmission, and the plug for the alternate position for a dipstick was leaking. They drained some fluid and tightened the plug. We've had no leaks since. I added one quart of Dexron when the control panel indicated that we were low. All has been good since.

I finally got a gallon of Transynd, and added a quart to my tranny.

Before it was 6 quarts low, now it is 5 quarts low. So should I add the remaining 3 quarts or 1 quart at a time?

best, paul

Re: Electronic Dipstick on my Allison Tranny

Reply #13 – April 28, 2012, 07:06:03 pm

Paul,

Not possible to GENTLY get the transmission up to temperature in place.

Yes, you can do it by putting it in gear and reving the engine while on the brake. But, this is NOT good for a transmission.

Driving it 30+ miles is much better for the transmission.

Brett

Re: Electronic Dipstick on my Allison Tranny

Reply #14 – April 28, 2012, 11:07:49 pm

Paul,

Yes, add one quart at a time. You can add fluid repeatedly without a delay longer than required for the electronic dipstick to cycle.

Re: Electronic Dipstick on my Allison Tranny

Reply #15 – April 29, 2012, 02:54:38 pm

Quote

Yes, add one quart at a time. You can add fluid repeatedly without a delay longer than required for the electronic dipstick to cycle.

I started out 6 quarts low. After adding 3 quarts I am still 6 quart low. And no pubbles on the ground.

Any ideas?

best, paul

Re: Electronic Dipstick on my Allison Tranny

Reply #16 – April 29, 2012, 02:56:29 pm

Quote

Quote
Yes, add one quart at a time. You can add fluid repeatedly without a delay longer than required for the electronic dipstick to cycle.

I started out 6 quarts low. After adding 3 quarts I am still 6 quart low. And no pubbles on the ground.

That's PUDDLES. I haven't started drinking. YET!.....

Quote

Any ideas?

best, paul

Re: Electronic Dipstick on my Allison Tranny

Reply #17 – April 29, 2012, 10:01:44 pm

It looks like it's time for an Allison service center.

Re: Electronic Dipstick on my Allison Tranny

Reply #18 – April 30, 2012, 12:11:18 pm

Quote

It looks like it's time for an Allison service center. They are an Allison Service Center

Anyone have an opinion about the Rush Service in Flagstaff, AZ?

best, paul

Re: Electronic Dipstick on my Allison Tranny

Reply #19 – May 06, 2012, 06:00:08 pm

Quote

It looks like it's time for an Allison service center.

There appears to be a good one in San Diego. I'm still trying to make contact.

This is a summary of my problem:

A recent check using the "electronic dipstick" found the Transynd was 6 quarts low. The steel dipstick found the Transynd was 1/8 inch below the "Hot" line (when the oil is cool). I think someone here suggested the electronic dipstick calibrates the steel dipstick. If so, this could mean it's OK if the oil is at the "Hot" line when cool. Not sure if you agree.

I added 1 quart and the electronic dipstick found the Transynd was 5 quarts low. So far so good.

So I added a second quart. The electronic dipstick found the Transynd was 6 quarts low! Since I was at a different location I thought the coach might not be as level as before and the 6 quarts low was an anomaly. So I added a third quart and the electronic dipstick again found the Transynd was 6 quarts low. So I stopped adding Transynd until I could determine what is going on.

The steel dipstick now finds the Transyn is at or a little above the Hot line (when the oil is cool).

No puddles on the ground.

Two days after I wrote the above history it hit me.

The only consistent player in this drama is the steel dipstick. After I added 3 quarts it said the oil level has risen. This could be because both readings of the dipstick were made at the same level RV Site.

It also suggests the culprit is the electronic dipstick. It apparently doesn't know dip from stick ;o)

Now I've never had a problem of the tranny running hot. The questions are: Is there too much oil in the tranny, too little oil in the tranny, and is it safe to drive?

best, paul

Re: Electronic Dipstick on my Allison Tranny

Reply #20 – May 06, 2012, 10:35:39 pm

I think you're right, it's the electronic dipstick that's faulty and the tranny is now over-filled. Why not call the San Diego shop and ask if it's safe to drive.

Re: Electronic Dipstick on my Allison Tranny

Reply #21 – May 06, 2012, 11:16:46 pm

Call the shop, indeed. I will share that I drove a few thousand miles running about two quarts beyond full. To the best of my knowledge, it caused no problems.

According to the mechanics at FOT, the transmission had been filled two quarts beyond full by the mechanic at another shop. I was not experienced enough (bright enough?

) to check the transmission level. I know how to check the transmission fluid level now.

Re: Electronic Dipstick on my Allison Tranny

Reply #22 – May 07, 2012, 01:28:45 pm

Quote from: Paul Smith

It looks like it's time for an Allison service center.

Anyone ever able to pump oil out of a transmission? Through the dipstick tube? !

If that can't be done I may try CoachNet to see if they can find someone to crawl under and drain. I'm told replacing filters can loose 2 quarts.

BTW, what is the model number of the transmission on a 1999 U320 with an M-11? MD3000? MD4000?

best, paul

Re: Electronic Dipstick on my Allison Tranny

Reply #23 – May 07, 2012, 01:40:02 pm

According to the specs for my '99 U320 with M11/450 the tranny is HD4060R (for retarder?).

Re: Electronic Dipstick on my Allison Tranny

Reply #24 – May 07, 2012, 05:23:43 pm

Quote

According to the specs for my '99 U320 with M11/450 the tranny is HD4060R (for retarder?).

Sounds good. I find many other references to that model number on the Forum.

Dion International Truck in an Diego is an authorized Allison service center.

They returned my call today. They recommended against driving with oil too high because it can lead to frothing, which can cause many other problems.

They also recommend against relying on the electronic dipstick. They do recommend relying on the steel dipstick, once you've "calibrated it" to know where full is on that particular dipstick.

We have company coming today. I'll try pumping oil out tomorrow.

Foretravel might add built in small pumps as a feature for the transmission and crankcase, at least as a convenient way to sample oil and reduce the impact on the environment.

best, paul

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