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Changing transmission fluid

n4hwl
Explorer
Explorer
I have an Allison 3000 Transmission in my 2004 Freightliner motorhome. It has synthetic transmission fluid in it now. I'm wondering how much trouble it would be to change the transmission fluid and filter myself on this motorhome. I changed the oil and fuel filter by myself. Any suggestions?
Thanks
Ken
2014 Tiffin Zephyr
18 REPLIES 18

msmith1199
Explorer
Explorer
Bruce Brown wrote:
Mike,
Your screen shot absolutely confirms what rgatijnet stated. Sure the capacity may be 26 or 29 quarts but the refill capacity is 17 to 19 quarts.

On the broken bolt, is that supposed to be 38-45 inch lbs by any chance?


Yup, I do see that now. So once again this is why I pay people to do this stuff! I would have messed it all up. And it looks like Freightliner owes me some money back since they charged me for 8 gallons.

2021 Nexus Viper 27V. Class B+


2019 Ford Ranger 4x4

mike_brez
Explorer
Explorer
Bruce Brown wrote:
Mike,
Your screen shot absolutely confirms what rgatijnet stated. Sure the capacity may be 26 or 29 quarts but the refill capacity is 17 to 19 quarts.

On the broken bolt, is that supposed to be 38-45 inch lbs by any chance?


Bruce that's what I thought when I snapped the bolt. I had to go back and check. I'm hoping when I go to remove them next time there is no issue getting them out.
1998 36 foot Country Coach Magna #5499 Single slide
Gillig chassis with a series 40
02 Ford F250 7.3 with a few mods
2015 Wrangler JKU

mike_brez
Explorer
Explorer
Bruce Brown wrote:
Mike,
Your screen shot absolutely confirms what rgatijnet stated. Sure the capacity may be 26 or 29 quarts but the refill capacity is 17 to 19 quarts.

On the broken bolt, is that supposed to be 38-45 inch lbs by any chance?



Another screen shot from link

1998 36 foot Country Coach Magna #5499 Single slide
Gillig chassis with a series 40
02 Ford F250 7.3 with a few mods
2015 Wrangler JKU

Bruce_Brown
Moderator
Moderator
Mike,
Your screen shot absolutely confirms what rgatijnet stated. Sure the capacity may be 26 or 29 quarts but the refill capacity is 17 to 19 quarts.

On the broken bolt, is that supposed to be 38-45 inch lbs by any chance?
There are 24 hours in every day - it all depends on how you choose to use them.
Bruce & Jill Brown
2008 Kountry Star Pusher 3910

Snomas
Explorer
Explorer
I had mine changed and they put in dex 6 fluid and Allison says it will cause seal and rings to go bad. Cost $500 and now I'm going to someone else to do it right.
2006 WINNEBAGO ASPECT 29H Ford E450 Super Duty
2018 F150 Lariat Crew Cab, Coyote 5.0 L RWD

mike_brez
Explorer
Explorer
lj2654 wrote:
I changed mine out myself and it was quite easily done. Be careful when you install the new filters that you correctly torque the bolts down to the proper torque values.


X2 on this but 38-45 ft lbs seems to much to me. I torqued mine down using a criss cross pattern tightening a little at a time and felt something let go. I lucked out and got the bolt out hanging on by a thread. After I checked my torque wrench with another and both were the same.

1998 36 foot Country Coach Magna #5499 Single slide
Gillig chassis with a series 40
02 Ford F250 7.3 with a few mods
2015 Wrangler JKU

mike_brez
Explorer
Explorer
Trans info

Screen shot from above link




Very easy to do a ladder,funnel and some clear hose helps.

1998 36 foot Country Coach Magna #5499 Single slide
Gillig chassis with a series 40
02 Ford F250 7.3 with a few mods
2015 Wrangler JKU

rgatijnet1
Explorer III
Explorer III
On most transmissions, you cannot drain all of the fluid out because of what remains in the torque converter and cooling lines. For this reason, the fluid "capacity" in a manual may not be correct to use as a measurement of how much fluid to put back in when doing a fluid change.
I have a graduated 5 gallon bucket that I use to measure exactly how much fluid is drained and then I replace the fluid with the exact same amount as drained.
This takes care of any fluid that may be in the torque converter, or cooling lines, and I am assured that I have not overfilled the transmission, which is as bad as underfilling your transmission.

Bruce_Brown
Moderator
Moderator
When we had our '03 done we got a small amount back from the 5 gallon pail. Makes the 17.5-19 quarts seem about right.
There are 24 hours in every day - it all depends on how you choose to use them.
Bruce & Jill Brown
2008 Kountry Star Pusher 3910

msmith1199
Explorer
Explorer
And this is why I pay people to do this stuff! I just downloaded the chassis owners manual from Freightliner and it says the capacity of the 3000 MH is 17.5 quarts for the short pan and then an addition 3 quarts for the deep pan for a total of 20.5.

2021 Nexus Viper 27V. Class B+


2019 Ford Ranger 4x4

msmith1199
Explorer
Explorer
Here is the link to the brochure on specs on the Allison tranny website, I can't make it a clicky because it has a percent sign in it and for some reason this webpage hates percent signs. Open the brochure and go down to the capacities and it says 29 and 26 quarts for the Allison 3000 MH.

Okay, it won't even let me post the link at all because of the percent sign. So go here and the link at the top down loads the spec sheet:

SPEC SHEET 3000 MH

I don't see model years in this flyer so is this new tranny's that take 29 quarts and the older ones only take 19?

2021 Nexus Viper 27V. Class B+


2019 Ford Ranger 4x4

wolfe10
Explorer
Explorer
Ya, sorry, FAT FINGERS above.

Five gallon pail= 5 time 4 quarts/gallon= 20 quarts.

20 quarts minus one left over is, as others have posted 19, not 29.

Sorry for the mis-key-- went back and edited it.
Brett Wolfe
Ex: 2003 Alpine 38'FDDS
Ex: 1997 Safari 35'
Ex: 1993 Foretravel U240

Diesel RV Club:http://www.dieselrvclub.org/

msmith1199
Explorer
Explorer
The info on the Allison website for the 3000 MH in the motorhome section shows 29 quarts for the deep oil sump and 26 quarts for the shallow oil sump. Like I said, Freightliner charged me for 8 gallons, so I assume mine has the deep sump. But I am going to check that and make sure otherwise they owe me a gallon and a half of fluid if mine is the shallow sump.

2021 Nexus Viper 27V. Class B+


2019 Ford Ranger 4x4

siggyd777
Explorer
Explorer
Careful now, the Allison 3000 MH with the 4" pan takes 19 quarts
( almost 5 gallons) with the oil and 2 filter change.
DO NOT OVERFILL !
Siggy
Happy Trails
Siggy & Ursula
2011 Dutch Star 4020,ISL 400,Compr.brake,FTL XCR,IFS
Allison MH3000
2015 Jeep Cherokee,4x4 Active Drive II,V6 , Brake Buddy,Roadmaster Sterling,
Camping since 1975 Pop-Up,1986 22Ft.TT,1999 Gas MH,2005 KSDP,
2011 DSDP,FMCA 368283