Allison transmission service question

drdanq · Sep 12, 2011

I have a quick question about service on my Allison Transmission. I have a 2008 Chevy DMax w the Allison trans. Had the local Chevy dealer service the truck today, first time to this dealer, including fuel filter and tranny service. I noticed after that the external spin on filter had not been changed. I called the service manager back and he said they do not change them any more because their flush system is so good that they don't have to change them anymore.

My question is have I been sold a bill of goods??

Heartbeat Hauler · Sep 12, 2011

drdanq said:
I have a quick question about service on my Allison Transmission. I have a 2008 Chevy DMax w the Allison trans. Had the local Chevy dealer service the truck today, first time to this dealer, including fuel filter and tranny service. I noticed after that the external spin on filter had not been changed. I called the service manager back and he said they do not change them any more because their flush system is so good that they don't have to change them anymore.

My question is have I been sold a bill of goods??

Yup and it's not just the filter. From what I have been reading the Allsion transmission should not be flushed (which depends on what the dealer calls a "flush"). A simple drain and fill will suffice, or you can use the Hoot Method (search Hoot Method in the DIY area of this forum) which is more thorough.

Unless your dealer was thinking about the internal filter which is only changed at rebuild, but the spin-on does have a replacement cycle.

OnEdit: Just read a thread in the Allsion section and it looks like the spin-on filter is changed at 5000 miles, then every 50,000 after that. This is a long time between changes, but certainly not "Never".

kcb37 · Sep 12, 2011

I would agree you got taken. No flush will clean a filter, it may blow some stuff out of it if the fluid is flowing backwards but it's still a dirty filter.
Also like said the allison's should not be flushed.

chevyduramax2500hd · Sep 12, 2011

How much did they charge you for everything you listed, fuel filter, tranny flush? Anything else you had done that you didn't list?

lavarock · Sep 13, 2011

Transmission filters are cheap and very easy to change. Why would you not change it? I do mine every second oil change. I see it as cheap insurance plus I do an autopsy on the old filter.

dnewton3 · Jan 28, 2013

Typical filter medias actually becomes more efficient (better at trapping particulate) as they load up. Proven in many tests, both lab and real world studies.

The "standard" OEM filter interval for the spin-on filter, per Allison, is 50k miles using an approved fluid.
http://www.allisontransmission.com/service/changeinterval/index.jsp
Note that few (if any of us) would ever qualify for "severe" service; no matter how rough-and-tumble you think you get on your tranny.
Therefore, most everyone would fall into the 50k mile FCI (filter change interval).
The lube change interval depends upon either TES389 or TES285 selection.

One can certainly change oil and filters more often than necessary, and generally no terrible harm comes from it. But one is also not gaining any benefit either. It likely would not hurt the equipment, but it surely harms the wallet!

sigepsb · Sep 13, 2011

Dealer is wrong as usual. Find your local Allison dealer where those filters are $8 to $12. The dealer will charge far more. If you can't find an Allison dealer there are a few vendors on here with reasonable prices on them.

SyN · Sep 17, 2011

What micron rating is the small spin-on filter?

rich m · Sep 17, 2011

www.filter1.com wix wholesaler

seadoo · Jan 23, 2013

According to the manual the Allison is not suppose to be flushed.I called my local Chevy dealer to see the cost of a transmission service and was looking back at my old records and questioned why it was cheaper. He said now we flush them and dont change the filters. I explained to him according to the Allison manual they dont recommend flushing.
He didnt have an answer but just went on do you want to schedule an appointment?

I found an allison recommended shop and he said we will drop the pan and replace both your filters and will use a synthetic oil called "Trans Synd." Actually the price was the same as the dealer charged me the first time . When they changed both filtres.

submarinedonks · Jan 27, 2013

Your Truck Does Not Have a Spin On

I called the stealership to investigate the price of a drain and fill. I was quoted 150 dollars. I asked if this included the price of the external spin-on filter - I was promptly informed by the service adviser that my truck did not have one!! After a 5 minute "near argument" I finished the discussion by telling them that if they didn't know the Ally has a spin-on - I certainly could not trust them to touch my truck..... I will be doing it myself in a month or so....

redrob · Jan 28, 2013

drdanq- the spin-on at our dealer is recommended to be changed 5-15k miles.It's right off the pump. The internal filter is actually supposed to be replaced during a repair.

ricko · Jan 29, 2013

The external spin on is only like $8 for genuine Allison one which is all they recommend. I dont know why you would not spin one on for that cost!

Norskeole · Jan 30, 2013

Spin on filter at the local Detroit Diesel Allison - $6.95. Clean the magnet and install the new one. I fill the filter with TranSynd before I re-install it. They are cheap so I change it every spring before the towing season (only put on 10-12,000 miles a year). TyanSynd will run about $35.00/gallon. Takes about 7.5 quarts for a drain and fill.

DEWFPO · Jan 30, 2013

I thought filtration was the issue.

Changing your underwear 3 times a day doesn't make you any cleaner.

DEWFPO

SixPak · Jan 30, 2013

DEWFPO said:
Changing your underwear 3 times a day doesn't make you any cleaner.DEWFPO

It does on some days! LOL...

tanman_2006 · Jan 31, 2013

What is considered severe use? I gross +30K and the tranny breaks 240* frequently in the summer time.

Also what is the severe service interval recommendation.

Shadow1 · Feb 2, 2013

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=378527

Post #3 Change Interval_quantities

tanman_2006 · Feb 4, 2013

Thanks for the link, I was decared severe. 50K on the spin on and 75K on the fluid. I was doing ~25K on the spin on and 50K on the fluid. Guess that couldnt hurt but I could save alittle $$ with their directions.

desuhu · Jul 22, 2014

Most say you shouldn't flush the Allison transmission. We just had the fluid changed, but would like to switch to synthetic. My son said you shouldn't mix the two and if you just drain it, there will still be a couple of quarts left in it. What is right? Also, our Allison shifts a little rough going into high gear. What could cause that? We do change the spin-on filter about every 10,000 miles.

Heartbeat Hauler · Jul 23, 2014

desuhu said:
Most say you shouldn't flush the Allison transmission. We just had the fluid changed, but would like to switch to synthetic. My son said you shouldn't mix the two and if you just drain it, there will still be a couple of quarts left in it. What is right? Also, our Allison shifts a little rough going into high gear. What could cause that? We do change the spin-on filter about every 10,000 miles.

Actually there will be about 5-7 quarts left and synthetic TES-295 is compatible with non-synthetic DEX III.

Do a drain and fill, drive around for a few minutes then do another drain and fill and you are good to go for the extended range for synthetic.

This is as per Allison recommendation.

skmct · Jul 22, 2014

I suggest using the HOOT method to change fluid I would also use whatever fluid Allison recommends for your year. You should fill out your sig so we know about your truck. Use the search to find hoot method also your fluid requirements. Sig is in user cp top right of page

Dmax 5th Wheel · Jul 23, 2014

desuhu · Jul 24, 2014

What would cause the Allison to shift rough going into the third or fourth gear?

aka108 · Jul 26, 2014

I know my diesel service tech and have a knowledgeable service writer at the GM dealership I use. I change transmission fluid and filter at 25K mile intervals. They tell me it is overkill but it's also my money.

dnewton3 · Jul 29, 2014

aka108 said:
... I change transmission fluid and filter at 25K mile intervals. They tell me it is overkill but it's also my money.

Correct. Well - almost ...
It WAS your money, and now it's the dealer's money.

When a dealer tells you that you're in "overkill" mode, and you still spend the money on un-needed maintenace, you might want to consider that perhaps you're a bit OCD when it comes to fluids and filters.

No one here, including myself, is trying to reach into your life and take away your right to spend your money the way you see fit. But just because you can do something, does not make it a good idea to do so.

Allison transmission service question

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