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Used ATF Lab Analysis Results
Below are the results of the first “used ATF analysis” I’ve done for the B500 Allison in our bus. I’m happy to report all is well and no need to change the fluid or filters anytime soon. How do I know? because that is what the written report says, and also, I picked up the flip phone and called Tom Johnson. He’s the Allison Fluids Engineer(now retired) that developed TransSyd and the TES-295 spec. He is President and part owner of JG Lubricant Services, who I used for my ATF analysis. I have new fluid and filters in hand and was fully prepared to change it. 🙁 Bummer, it will have to wait till a future analysis indicates a need.
When I bought my bus 18k miles and 5+ yrs ago, it didn’t come with any mx records, so I didn’t know what kind of ATF was in the Allison. So I drained itas best I could and replenished it with 7 gals of Mobil Delvac 1 synthetic ATF and new Allison filter kits. Based on what Mr. Johnson see’s in my results, he believes the old 3 or so gals of ATF fluid that I wasn’t able to drain out was a Dexron III ATF. Its not hurting anything.
Here are some analysis related links that apply to our buses etc:
All About Oils link
JG Lub Services link
and here is some dirt I dug up on Mr. Johnson:
Tom Johnson is President and CoOwner of JG Lubricant Services, LLC. Tom holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Purdue University and has over 30 years of experience in the bearing, automotive and transmission industries.
Prior to forming JG Lubricant Services, Tom was the Transmission Fluids Engineer for Allison Transmission, Inc.2 Tom served in that capacity for the final 20 years of his long career before retiring in 2009. While serving as the Transmission Fluids Engineer, Tom worked with all of the global oil and additive companies. He wrote most of Allison Transmission’s lubricant specifications (including the ground breaking TES – 295 specification) . Tom directed and managed testing and approval of hundreds of transmission fluid formulations for Allison Transmission and served as a member of the GM Engine Oil Committee and was a key member of the GM Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) Committee.
Tom was also a key member of the Engine Oil Review Committee for the SAE3 Performance Review Institute4 and participated on a multi-OEM panel to review and approve engine oils to US Army specifications. Tom worked closely with the US Army Tank Automotive Command to review military specification oils for use in US Army tactical and combat wheeled and track laying vehicles.
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10 Replies
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Nice. I did not check the fluid but just did my second change with Transynd plus filters. Should be good for another 5 years.
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Allison and Prevost are in lock step regarding fluid and filter changes and to a great extent the intervals are determined based on the presumption certain factors influence the life of the transmission fluid.
They make it clear Transynd or its equivalent will perform longer compared to Dextron. What is not so clear is determining a service interval influenced by factors such as a retarder or a 30 foot heavy stacker being towed. Allison has service intervals based on those factors expressed in time and miles.
For my coach and use I am on a 4 year service interval. It is likely overkill because I have always monitored transmission fluid temps and hold my upper limit to 230 degrees. The retarder is programmed to stop functioning at 300 degrees. My driving is mostly flat land or in hilly areas being a small percentage of my total miles, so based on Don’t post I am over conservative.
Each owner has to do what they are comfortable with regarding maintenance. It is clear from reading posts all the extremes are represented with a lot of owners content to only do annual services at what appears to be an average of 10,000 miles or more, going more than double the Prevost service interval for a chassis lube. Some owners will not change coolant if a test strip says it is OK despite the suggested time interval, and some owners are going to change oil and do all services at 5000 mile intervals.
What each owner chooses to do as far as service intervals is entirely up to them and what they are comfortable with, but I would urge when deciding on service intervals every owner should research to determine what is best for them and how they use the coach.
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Hi folks,
I was invited to join the Prevost Community forum to answer questions concerning Allison Transmission fluid recommendations. I was the Allison Transmission Fluids Engineer at Allison Product Engineering from 1990 until my retirement in 2009. I consulted for Shell (Germany) and some of the US additive companies for a couple of years and then started JG Lubricant Services, a company co-owned by my sister.
There’s an established informational thread on the IRV2 forum that I periodically monitor. I’ve answered many questions there already but I’m open to new ones as well. Please check out the IRV2 forum thread if you’re interested. I’ve provided the link to the IRV2 thread below.
I now provide oil and coolant analysis for many types of vehicles and equipment through JG Lubricant Services. You’ll find us at RV Webpage
LINK: Tom’s IRV2 Thread
We are also affiliated with the NRVIA (National RV Inspectors Association) and provide their certified RV inspectors with oil and coolant analysis test kits. If you, or someone you know, may be looking to purchase a used Prevost, or any other RV, NRVIA Level II inspectors can pull the fluids on the engine, transmission, generator and hot water heating systems as part of the inspection.
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We didn’t know what ATF was in the bus when we bought it almost 7 yrs ago. We changed the fluid & filters soon thereafter w/Mobil Delvac 1 Synthetic ATF, an Allison approved TES295 fluid. The tranny holds about 10gals, but you can only get 6 to 7 gals out when doing a fluid filter change. So now, after 2 changes, it should be mostly Mobil Delvac 1 ATF in it.
We took a ATF sample when doing this change and sent it to JG Lubricant Services Houston TX lab for analysis. Again, the results and a ph conversation with Tom Johnson, aka “Mr. Transynd”, indicate there’s nothing to be concerned about. The old fluid and filters were 6+ yrs old w/26k miles. The bus has 94k miles since new.Our B500 has a 2” sump, so filter is 4” long.The old Allison filter kit # is 29548987, now superseded by kit # 29558117. I only use Allison brand filters.
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Our latest used ATF analysis-From JG Lubricant Services
Comments: Data indicates no abnormal findings. Resample at normal interval.Mobil Delvac 1 Synthetic TES295 ATF, 10 mths and 6,000 miles since the fluid and filters were last changed. Its a 1995 Allison B500 has 100,200 miles since new. Fluid and filters were last changed Oct. 2020. This was the second time we’ve changed the ATF and filters in the 7+ yrs and 34k miles that we’ve owned the bus. -
ATF fluid is still Mobil Delvac Synthetic TES295. Fluid has 19,500 miles and 21 mths since new. Trans has 113,700 miles since new and works great. No complaints. I didn’t change the fluid or filters this time. They are still good to go.
We’ve owned the bus for 9+ yrs and have put 45k miles on it. We’ve changed the fluid twice, 6/7/14 and 8/2/21, with Allison approved TES295 Mobil Delvac synthetic atf and Allison filters. -
Hello Tom,
On my 2001 Marathon H3-45, there is a sticker in the diesel bay by the trans dip stick that states transmission fluid has been changed from Dextron III to Mobile Devcon Super 1300 15-45. I have never heard of diesel oil being used in an Allison Transmission. (I also have the same sticker on the power steering res) I have been running on this for some time and getting ready to do a fluid and filter change and need some advice on to continue with this or switch out to Transynd 668. The trans has been running fine no issues no leaks, but I am not sure what fluid is actually in there. Someone told me that it is something truckers would do so that they would only carry one type of oil with them.
Any thoughts or advice here.Thanks
Alex
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I know someone that worked as a mechanic for Trailways and Kerrville Bus Companies for 40 yrs. He told me back in the day they ran motor oil in their Allison automatic transmissions. I don’t know what oil or what model transmissions.
I have talked to Tom Johnson at JG Lubricant services and he did mentioned that motor oil was approved for military applications. When?
If you have a transmission fluid sample analyzed the results will speak volumes.
Call and talk will Tom Johnson: https://jglubricantservices.com/ he’ll have accurate answers.
****READ POST#1 HERE/ABOVE****
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I will give him a call.
Thanks
Alex
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Here’s a podcast that might appeal to this forum. It’s from a couple years ago but the information is still good. Let me know if there’s any interest in me contributing to a general discussion about Allison transmission fluids (history, recommendations, fluid analysis, etc.) for the Chassis Forum or others within the Prevost Community.
https://www.beyondthewheelpodcast.com/?powerpress_pinw=206-podcast
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