Allison 1000 internal filter change

bow-tielover · Dec 10, 2011

I have about 66k miles on my truck. I changed the trans fluid at 35k and I change the external filters every oil change (5k miles). I'm getting ready to change fluid again, should I also drop the pan and change the internal filter? When is it recommended?

Thank you,

diesail · Dec 10, 2011

Allison says internal filter on overhaul, otherwise only external filter. IMO you are way over changing the filters and fluid. Not that it will hurt anything but I could find otherplaces to spend the coin.

Tanc Crusher · Dec 10, 2011

As mentioned when one plans to overhaul the Allison. Otherwise just change the spin-on filter and clean the magnet off and put on new filter.

Brian

bow-tielover · Dec 10, 2011

Thanks guys.

One other question, Its been about 2 years and I can't recall how much fluid I bought last time. I could look through my receipts, but can one of you tell me how much I need?

Dirtbikindad393 · Dec 11, 2011

I have 166k on my truck and I have changed the internal 2 times. I know that Allison says at an overhaul but I have talked to some hi profile trans builders and they say they would not go more than 50k without changing the internal based on what they have seen.

That could be over kill but I tow 12k lbs 30-40 weekends per year. So I feel its cheap insurance. If your not towing as much as I am I would suggest every 100k miles for the internal. I change my drive train fluid every 50k miles. Just one mans opinion.

To answer your question you want to get 2 gallons transynd trans fluid.

LA DMAX · Dec 11, 2011

Is it easy to change the internal filter? Just pull it out or what? Thanks

LA DMAX

Tanc Crusher · Dec 11, 2011

Unbolt the pan and take it out.

Brian

Joey D · Dec 11, 2011

It won't hurt to change the internal one. Is it possible to cut it open and see how dirty it is?

cbiers · Dec 12, 2011

For what its worth....

I recently did a 100,000 mile service and out of curiosity I pulled the pan off to see what things looked like. I changed the internal filter while I was in there. Below are pics of what it looked like before I dumped the fluid out and then after I cleaned it up.

Over the years I've read on this site where some people say it has to be changed every so often, others and Allison says only at overhaul which I tended to agree with. Now, every vehicles service history is different but after I observed what things look like in my pan after 100,000 miles I would agree with Allison for sure and say don't worry about it. However if you buy a used pickup and don't know the service history or say your fluid is nasty and smells bad, I would change it for peace of mind.

My service history is extreme and I don't abuse my equipment. I pull up to 15,000 lbs occasionally but most is just highway driving. I changed the first spin-on at 500 miles, then at 2500 miles and put synthetic in at 5000 miles using the Hoot method, again at 35,000 and then I didn't touch anything until 100,000 miles other than spin-on changes every 20,000 miles or so. This last time I drained the pan twice instead of the Hoot method just because its easier. I don't plan on changing the fluid for another 100,000 miles.

bow-tielover · Dec 12, 2011

Thanks guys! One other question: Can the stock pan be tapped for a trans gauge? I though about adding one to the a-pilar.

dnewton3 · Dec 12, 2011

I don't know that it can be "tapped", as it's thin like most tranny pans, but you can add a drain plug kit, if you wanted. B&M makes a kit (#80250) that costs about $7 from Summit and others. You can use that, and rather than use the "plug" you could put in a temp sending unit instead. I have used these in the past and they work great. I put them on all my trannies that I service that do not come with a factory drain plug. Never had one of these B&M units leak. I mount them low on the side of the pan, rather than the bottom, to eliminate ground clearance issues.

But the questsion is why would you want to? I understand that you want to know the sump temp, but I presume your truck is like all of ours and has a tranny temp gage on it. They are reasonably acurate and reliable. Why put a hole in your pan to get info that you already have?

dnewton3 · Dec 12, 2011

cbiers -

Excellent pix. Very clean inside, even after 65k miles.

Clearly, it's evident that the service suggestions from Allison are right on. They recommend 100k miles on syn with external filter every 50k miles. I see no reason you cannot easily get 100k miles on the next load.

I also see this as evidence of why it's a complete and total waste to change an internal filter, except upon teardown. The "teardown" presumption is that there was some kind of catastrophic event in the tranny, and that the internal filter got loaded with debris. If you don't have a catastrophic event, then the internal filter is nothing to worry about at all. It should last indefinitely. The internal filter is coarse enough that it is ONLY for catching "chunks" should you shred the tranny. Other than that, it's openings in the media are too big to catch anything. If it cannot catch anything, then it's not being loaded. If it's not being loaded, there's no sense in changing it.

Imagine a screened-in porch and a chain link fence. Both are wrapped around your deck on the back of your house. The screen is very good at keeping out small insects. The chain link fence cannot stop insects, but it can stop a dog from passing through. The normal everyday operation of the chain-link fence has no bearing on the task of keeping small debris from getting onto the porch. Same goes for two Allison filters. The small spin-on (and magnet) are for stopping "normal" intrusion. The big internal filter is ONLY there "in case of emergency". Get the idea?

Changing filters too often is no better than changing oil too soon; both are a waste. They might make one "feel better", but there is no proof that there is any realized advantage to the equipment. Clearly, from the pictures, the spin-on and the magnet do all the "cleaning" work during normal operation. Service those according to the Allison schedule, and all will be fine.

Will it hurt to change the internal filter? No.
Will it help? No.
So why do people do it? Mis-guided false sense of security. But it makes them sleep better, so it's "right" for them.

If someone want's to convince me otherwise, then show me proof. Real proof; not some statement from Inglewood or Suncoast, but real particle-count lab analysis. Show me a "before and after" PC lab study that conclusively points toward the internal filter being a normal service requirement necessity.

Dirtbikindad393 · Dec 13, 2011

Dave is right on the money with both posts!
You will not want to attempt putting a tap or bung in the stock trans pan to get a temp sending unit in it. If you are wanting to do that buy a PPE stock depth or deep pan. You might as well get the benefits of the cooling fins inside and out on the deep pan or on the outside of the stock depth pan and the tapped sensor ports on both pans. Both pans also have magnetic drain plugs and allow "ALL" of the sump to drain out where a stock or deep Allison pan will not do that. They hold up to 2 qts of old fluid inside the pan when you pull the drain plug.

To see the PPE Deep Pan check here.

I change my trans fluid every 50 but I also tow 12k lb bumper pull trailer 30-40 weekends per year and are in the very dirty, dusty environments of the desert here in So Calif to go racing motorcycles. 50K miles makes me feel better and based on the smell of the fluid when I do it its needed. The good news is I run a PPE deep pan so when I do change the 3 gallons changed is well over 2/3rds of the capacity of the trans so I get a good amount of fluid changed each time.

mreeves23 · Dec 13, 2011

The cooling fins of the ppe pans are a great addition to help cool the fluid. The extra heat can be removed quicker with the fins. The added threaded ports are nice options especially when installing a temp gauge. I have installed a threaded bung on a stock steel pan before for a trans temp gauge and never had one issue. I also have a tee adapter that one can use to install in a section of one of the cooler lines to install a temp gauge if needed. The adapter is a full 5/8" id and mounts using the same flareless compression fittings I use for my trans lines and power steering lines kits. If I can help you out with anything from the ppe pan, to the threaded bung, to the tee adapter or anything else, please let me know. I also have the trans temp gauge in the cobalt line if you are interested. Very good info in this thread from those above as well!

MaXXis85 · Dec 13, 2011

The stock Cluster has a temp sensor in th valve body and it is actually VERY accurate compared to my trans temp reading from my Edge insight. I doubt the sump temp will be much different than the valve body temp. The difference isnt a night and day issue to worry about.

thebigtiny · Dec 14, 2011

Hello

We are changing the oil and Both filters at 57000 miles to establish a base line for my newly purchased truck I will document the process with pictures

this is a great thread.

Allison 1000 internal filter change

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