allison 6 speed oil change

[rob]

how hard is it to change the oil and filter on the transmission?

[mfa]

If it's anything like the 5-speed Allison in my rig, it is very much like changing the oil -- there is a drain plug and a spin-on filter. Two things to watch out for -- the sealing washer on the drain plug and the magnet under the filter. Make sure you recover and reuse both. Actually, a new sealing washer is a good idea. Out of a 15 quart capacity, this simple drain & fill used 10.5 quarts on mine. Measure what you drain out, then add that much new fluid back in and then check dipstick level per procedure.

[rob]

i don't think the six speed has an external filter, but i will look again today.
thanks rob

[quikduk]

Rob,

I posted a reply under the oil/filer changes topic above. Check it out and call me if necessary at (760) 985-6322.

Ken

[RayChez1]

Not hard at all Rob.
I have posted under another thread on how to change it, so I will not double post.

[rob]

I got the job done, it took 5.5 gallons of transmission fluid dextron 3 with the cj code. the best part was getting the filters from
http://www.defeomfg.com/ they are really good to deal with.
now i have to fiquire out if i need to add an additive.
Rob

[quikduk]

Hey Rob! Nice to see you got this done. It is on my short list...but my short list is so long, it is at the bottom...for now.

Have you replaced your Haldex air dryer dessicant cartridge and coalescing filters yet? The rule is every 24 months. Mine apparently hadn't been changed for about 50,000 miles so I had to completely rebuild the dryer.

Ken

[rob]

Originally Posted by quikduk

Hey Rob! Nice to see you got this done. It is on my short list...but my short list is so long, it is at the bottom...for now.

Have you replacedyour Haldex air dryer dessicant cartridge and coalescing filters yet? The rule is every 24 months. Mine apparently hadn't been changed for about 50,000 miles so I had to completely rebuild the dryer.

Ken

Hi Ken
no i haven't done that yet, i am not sure how to get that job done either?
You don't now where to quite with this maintinance!!!!! You enjoy it though.
I was going to tell you my transmision took the 6" filters. I bet yours is the same.
Rob

[quikduk]

Rob,

I have yet to be able to get to the trans...but it looks clean at this point.

I was forced to re-build the air dryer as it started to spit out a vanilla colored milkshake which led me to believe that both the coalescing filter and dessicant cartridge were bad.

As it turned out, I spent over two hours with brushes and parts solvent to get it clean, then replaced the Turbo-Saver valve, pressure relief valve and the purge valve and finaly both the dessicant cartridge and the coalescing filter. It is pretty straight forward...except for having to buy $60 for the socket and adapter to take a part off and then back on.

I will try to outline the process shortly with a couple of pics.

Ken

[RayChez1]

I have never changed the filter on the dryer either. So I will be checking on this forum to see how you done it and what all has to be done. I have thirty seven thousand miles on the coach now and most of my driving has been in dry weather so I was not too worried about moisture from rainy weather getting into the system. But still it is something that has to be done.

[RayChez1]

Originally Posted by rob

I got the job done, it took 5 gallons of transmission fluid dextron 3 with the cj code. the best part was getting the filters from
http://www.defeomfg.com/ they are really good to deal with.
now i have to fiquire out if i need to add an additive.
Rob

Why would you want to add an additive after the transmission fluid is changed out???
I am glad that you found my post on defeo mfg. They are great people to deal with on getting transmission parts and filters. I always get my filters through them.

[quikduk]

Re: changing out the dessicant cartridge and coalescing filter, they don't have anything to do with rain/road moisture but with the moisture formed by the air compressor/pump that is mounted on the engine and is used to inflate the bags and provide air to your brakes.

I will post some of my service pics shortly.

[RayChez1]

Where would this disicant and coaliscing filter be? Where is it located so that I can change it. What does it look like, maybe if you can show a picture of what to look for I might spot it.

[rob]

Originally Posted by RayChez

Why would you want to add an additive after the transmission fluid is changed out???
I am glad that you found my post on defeo mfg. They are great people to deal with on getting transmission parts and filters. I always get my filters through them.

I just thought i would throw that out and see if anybody had a sugestion.
I had someone suggest it but wasn't sure if it was really necessary.
Thanks for the tip on defeomfg.
Rob

[rob]

Originally Posted by quikduk

Re: changing out the dessicant cartridge and coalescing filter, they don't have anything to do with rain/road moisture but with the moisture formed by the air compressor/pump that is mounted on the engine and is used to inflate the bags and provide air to your brakes.

I will post some of my service pics shortly.

Ken where did you buy those filters at?
Rob

[quikduk]

I got them at a local HD truck parts supply house. They stock all of the major HD brands, rebuild a lot of parts etc.

A lot of the trucking companies use them. It is:

http://www.coltontrucksupply.com/

Apparently, they are NOW called Fleet Services...but it is the same place.

http://www.fleetservicesinc.com/

My post re: the filters and air dryer are under "C8.3 Service" under "class A".