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Allison service

April 07, 2013, 04:27:08 pm

I just noticed my transmission was down a quart.  When I crawled under the coach, I found wetness on the driver's side, from the dipstick tube down.  I'm in Livingston, TX now until the Buddy Rally.  Does anyone have a suggestion for who to call to get it fixed next week?  Do I take it to Houston, or see the Allison service center in Lufkin, or someone else?

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Re: Allison service

Reply #1 – April 07, 2013, 05:19:13 pm

Brett, If it is wet near the dipstick it may have been overfilled or if the tranny has been hot it could have frothed up and spilled from dipstick.
Gary B

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Re: Allison service

Reply #2 – April 07, 2013, 05:27:35 pm

The dipstick tube gasket is quite easy to change.  I got mine at Stewart and Stevenson in Houston, but suspect it is a common part at any Allison dealer.  After replacing it, make sure the dip stick tube is well-supported, or it will "work" the gasket again.

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Re: Allison service

Reply #3 – April 08, 2013, 11:12:51 am

Brett,
  I wanted to mention what had happened to our trans. It was wet at the fill tube base like yours but the tube grommet was fine. There is a clamp just above the tube on the trans. The trans shop found that the tube had cracked where the fill tube was clamped. It caused the trans to constantly be a quart low due to it leaking down to the level of the crack. They welded the tube and it has been fine ever since.

Regards, Mark

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Re: Allison service

Reply #4 – April 12, 2013, 07:57:43 am

OK, I have the new dipstick tube seal, and have removed the tube clamps.  But the tube wont budge in the 14 year old seal.  How do you get it out?  How hard can I pry on the lower tube lip without damaging the tube?  Do I dare clamp the tube with vice grips and hit it with a mallet?  Ideas anyone?

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Re: Allison service

Reply #5 – April 12, 2013, 08:09:43 am

Brett, On my 95 8.3 Cummins when the tube broke off the mechanic grabbed the stub of it with vice grips and used a hammer to bump it out, it was a press fit into the block.  Not sure what engine you have but I will almost bet that it is just press fitted.
Gary B

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Re: Allison service

Reply #6 – April 12, 2013, 10:46:59 am

Gary,

No, this is the transmission. The tube fits into an inch wide rubber seal.

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Re: Allison service

Reply #7 – April 12, 2013, 10:54:02 am

Brett, Sorry I ASSUMED Oil dipstick, guess I am a dipstick.

Call Terry Lail at TLC Transmission at 770-207-9445.  They service my Allison and are qualified techs, he can probably tell you in an instant how to get it out.
Gary B

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Re: Allison service

Reply #8 – April 25, 2013, 09:58:50 pm

I got the dipstick tube seal out finally by twisting the far end of the tube a bunch of times.  The new seal went in smoothly, but on the first trip after the seal replacement(to the Buddy Rally) the tranny was dripping again.  Today I took it to the nearest Allison service shop.  They found the same problem Mark referenced-but the tech called it porosity at the lower clamp.  I didn't see it, but I presume it was the beginning of a crack.  The tech thought I should order a new one(it's a FT part).  I've called FT Parts for a quote and delivery time.  Mark, how long has yours lasted?  Has anyone else experienced corrosion of the transmission dipstick tube.  I have no corrosion elsewhere on the coach.

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Re: Allison service

Reply #9 – April 26, 2013, 12:44:35 am

If you have a crack or? why not clean it up and braze it. It will out last you then
John

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Re: Allison service

Reply #10 – April 26, 2013, 08:43:10 pm

I recently noticed moderate rusting of the transmission dip stick but no leak. I wire brushed the rust and treated it with POR 15, a rust encapsulator.

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Re: Allison service

Reply #11 – April 26, 2013, 11:16:33 pm

Felix, I'd be leery of painting any oil dip stick. You wouldn't want paint flakes in your oil.
IMHO

Richard B.

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Re: Allison service

Reply #12 – April 27, 2013, 12:08:31 am

I think Felix means the tube (I hope)
John H

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Re: Allison service

Reply #13 – April 27, 2013, 12:09:53 am

Brett,
  Mine has been fine for several years. I don't see a problem with repairing it. It is not under any pressure.

Mark

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Re: Allison service

Reply #14 – April 27, 2013, 12:21:47 pm

Yes, I did mean the tube. Thanks for pointing out my error.

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