Allison dip stick tube

Topic: Allison dip stick tube (Read 3644 times) previous topic - next topic

Allison dip stick tube

June 08, 2022, 06:29:38 pm

I read this already: Obstruction in Transmission Dipstick Hole

I always look and inspect under my Coach to make sure nothing it dripping and nothing fell off. Well after my last trip I noticed some oil under the transmission. I have determined it to be coming from or very near the Dipstick tube end, right where the tube is installed on to the transmission.
Before my last long trip, as usual I was checking things and I had puled the dipstick out ( I should of leave it along) I usually just use the Allision Transmission pad. For what ever reson I pulled the dipstick out. Well I knew this from before, the dipstick does not go back in without gently wiggling it until it finds no ressitance and goes in. I don't know if I was not as gentle or patience this time around, I don't think so but maybe I pushed it in with some resistance and that action created the leak around the tube? Now what?

Is dealing with the dipstick is fairly easy for any Allision autorized place or should I make it big deal and make a trip top Nacogdoches, I think there is a transmssion shop there that most FT folks approve and trust?
After a 350 mil trip it lost 2 quarts, according to Allision electronic dipstick. I think I'd be just fine with a short dipstick and check it, from the side door where my engine battery door provides good enough access.

Thank you,
Al

Re: Allison dip stick tube

Reply #1 – June 08, 2022, 06:34:16 pm

Al,

Get a new gasket/O ring from Allison and just replace it. Been there, done that.

Clean the area really well before pulling the dipstick tube out so you don't get dirt in the transmission.

Re: Allison dip stick tube

Reply #2 – June 08, 2022, 07:00:30 pm

FYI, we did not pull transmission dipstick as always checked level via shift control panel.

Also, some have found that the very long unsupported dip stick tube needed mounting reinforcement in several places, especially near the point at the side of the transmission hole. Otherwise, the tube can pull out and leak at the place the tube sticks into the transmission. This needed support was highly recommended. Sometimes the top bracket holding the top of the tube needed to be lengthened from side of engine to reduce strain on the whole tube.

Re: Allison dip stick tube

Reply #3 – June 09, 2022, 12:30:56 am

Quote from: wolfe10 – June 08, 2022, 06:34:16 pm

Al,

Get a new gasket/O ring from Allison and just replace it. Been there, done that.

Clean the area really well before pulling the dipstick tube out so you don't get dirt in the transmission.

Brett,
Is the tube just pushed in with the gasket/O-ring?

Re: Allison dip stick tube

Reply #4 – June 09, 2022, 12:33:27 am

Is the dip stick tube just pushed in, is it pressfit, no threads?

Re: Allison dip stick tube

Reply #5 – June 09, 2022, 09:13:12 am

Sorry, been 14 years since I replaced mine, but a remember that it was push fitting, not threaded.

Re: Allison dip stick tube

Reply #6 – June 09, 2022, 09:14:15 am

There are 2 brackets holding the tube. One at the top and one near the bottom. Remove these and the tube pulls out. There is an amount of fluid in the tube so be ready. I actually drained and replaced the fluid and filters on mine while I was at it. Replace the o ring and push it back in.

As it turned out, the tube was slightly cracked and leaking, not the seal. Good luck.

Re: Allison dip stick tube

Reply #7 – June 09, 2022, 11:31:49 am

Great news. Thank you! :-)

Re: Allison dip stick tube

Reply #8 – June 12, 2022, 08:45:09 am

When we bought our 03 coach in 2011 there was a leak around where the dipstick entered the transmission. Impossible to see where it was coming from as the fluid trails with the air currents. The previous ower had taken it to Cummins and they changed the seal. Foretravel recommended I take it to Cummins, they don't work on engines. Still leaked slightly after a year or two and I was going to change the seal again myself. Changing the seal is relatively easy, remove a few bolts that retain it and it slips out of the transmission. When I pulled the tube out of the transmission I found the tube cracked an inch or so above the transmission entry point. I removed the tube from the coach and welded the tube by gas welding and reinstalled. No more leak. If you change the seal and it still leaks it's not the seal, look elsewhere.

Re: Allison dip stick tube

Reply #9 – June 12, 2022, 02:49:38 pm

Quote from: David Bethard – June 12, 2022, 08:45:09 am

When we bought our 03 coach in 2011 there was a leak around where the dipstick entered the transmission. Impossible to see where it was coming from as the fluid trails with the air currents. The previous ower had taken it to Cummins and they changed the seal. Foretravel recommended I take it to Cummins, they don't work on engines. Still leaked slightly after a year or two and I was going to change the seal again myself. Changing the seal is relatively easy, remove a few bolts that retain it and it slips out of the transmission. When I pulled the tube out of the transmission I found the tube cracked an inch or so above the transmission entry point. I removed the tube from the coach and welded the tube by gas welding and reinstalled. No more leak. If you change the seal and it still leaks it's not the seal, look elsewhere.

David, Thank you for sharing your experince.
One thing I am trying to decide is the oil. My transmission is not due for oil/filter change yet, not for couple of years and/or 10K or some more miles. I'll probably get it done before, but for now I was hoping just to fix the leak at the tube. When you fixed yours, did you drained the oil before removing the tube, or just let the amount of oil that needs to come out leak out of the tube as pulling it out?
I think I read someplace, if parked for a day or two tranmission oil is more in the pan. I guess there is less oils gets back and settles in to oil pan if the work can be done shortly after driving it for some miles?
Thank you,
AL

Re: Allison dip stick tube

Reply #10 – June 12, 2022, 04:07:50 pm

Quote from: propman – June 12, 2022, 02:49:38 pm

I think I read someplace, if parked for a day or two tranmission oil is more in the pan. I guess there is less oils gets back and settles in to oil pan if the work can be done shortly after driving it for some miles?
Thank you,
AL

I believe that the amount of fluid in the pan is relative to the amount of fluid in the tube. In other words, the dipstick only goes so far down the tube and not into the pan to determine level of fluid. So when you pull the tube out, have a pan ready to accept a good amount of fluid. I could be wrong but I drained mine beforehand.

Re: Allison dip stick tube

Reply #11 – June 12, 2022, 08:09:40 pm

I don't remember if I drained fluid or changed the seal during a fluid change. Good chance I did it during a fluid change. Clean the area around where the tube goes in the transmission throughly, don't allow anything to contaminate the transmission. Changing the seal in the 4000 was easy. Changing the fluid and filters isn't bad but messy and a lot of fluid to dispose of.

My transmission is the MH4000, if you have the 3000 may be different.

Re: Allison dip stick tube

Reply #12 – June 13, 2022, 09:31:40 am

The fluid level will be under the dipstick hole level.

Re: Allison dip stick tube

Reply #13 – July 04, 2022, 12:39:41 pm

Blue Threadlocker or NO Threadlocker?
I've watched few videos about this and none but this one mentioned about applying Blue Threadlocker:

https://youtu.be/3e0fa8Vbsow?t=881

(video starts at 14:41 / at Threadlocker) for the filter bolts.
Thank you,
Al

Re: Allison dip stick tube

Reply #14 – July 04, 2022, 03:14:01 pm

I didn't use Loctite when I did mine but it wouldn't hurt

Re: Allison dip stick tube

Reply #15 – July 04, 2022, 03:59:45 pm

Propman, I know you are repairing your dip stick
FYI: to answer you first question. Fortravels in Nacogdoches that need Allison transmission repairs are sent to
Stewart & Stevenson Power Products,
4935 Whitehurst Drive
Longview, TX 75602
903-758-5562
70 miles north, great service
David

Re: Allison dip stick tube

Reply #16 – July 04, 2022, 08:16:58 pm

I did not use any. And I was verrrrrrry careful on the torquing.

Re: Allison dip stick tube

Reply #17 – July 04, 2022, 09:09:45 pm

This evening I replaced the dip stick tube gasket, no problem. Just about 2 gal or so oil comes out. I guess that gasket gets old, there is a metal edge at the top/lip, where one could not tell if there is a metal but once remove it out and notice that the rubber is somewhat deteriorated and the metal gets exposed, hence the leak.

Re: Allison dip stick tube

Reply #18 – July 05, 2022, 12:42:23 pm

Thanks for the follow-up and picture. I will pay attention to that area on my coach.

Re: Allison dip stick tube

Reply #19 – July 08, 2022, 09:15:50 pm

By replacing the worn out Transmission Dip Stick Gasket I thought I had solved my problem, did I ?

Drained the oil, installed new filters. I started to put about 2 quarts of new oil and go look to see if there is any leak. Well there was

. This time I removed to whole Transmission Dip Stick Tube out and moved it on to work bench. Yes there is a hair line crack and yes it was already welded or brazed once before. It was under the bracket that holds the tube in place, I guess that is why I had not noticed it before. Now What? I can weld but I am good for welding red iron, pipe fence angle iron kind of stuff. I'd love to get a new tube, in fact the short one. But for now, tomorrow, I really want to fix the tube, even if it is somewhat temporary, so I can put oil and make it drivable. JB Weld? Put my wire welder on the lowest setting, experiment on some scrap thin metal then have fait in myself and weld the oil tube?
No mater which repair route I take, I also like to wrap some kind of tape to it, I assume needs to be high heat resistant? So if it cracked again at least it will slow a leak.
Thank you,
Al

Re: Allison dip stick tube

Reply #20 – July 08, 2022, 09:18:49 pm

Gas brazing would be the best for that application.

Re: Allison dip stick tube

Reply #21 – July 08, 2022, 09:34:00 pm

Anything that has been prior repaired by brazing needs to be repaired the same. It would be in my top choices anyway. Clean and rebaze. That is what I would do. Should be no reason or need for tape, dont relying on that for your repair. Make sure that the tube is supported near the backend to the engine to prevent cracking again.
One of my primary tools I regularly use when welding is my sand blast cabinet and the water hose followed with brake cleaner (CORRECTION) DO NOT USE "BRAKE CLEANER" WHEN WELDING WITH ARGON THE MIX CAN PRODUCE PHOSGENE GAS AND CAN RESULT IN DEATH IF EXPOSED. SEE REPLY 31 . Scott

Re: Allison dip stick tube

Reply #22 – July 08, 2022, 10:24:48 pm

Had the same thing happen to mine as well. Allison dealer repaired it while doing a service.

Mark

Re: Allison dip stick tube

Reply #23 – July 09, 2022, 10:01:17 am

Twig the pictured tube is cad plated steel and does show being brazed prior. I can honestly say Ive never seen a aluminum tube used on a oil dip stick tube. Easy to prove what it is. Magnet
Scott

Re: Allison dip stick tube

Reply #24 – July 09, 2022, 10:54:38 am

Magnet Sticks

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