Allison External Filter

LARSONEM · September 18, 2003

GM recommends changing the external filter on the Allison Transmission at 7500 miles. I'm getting close to that. Anybody done their own?

I'm curious as to what to expect. I picked up a filter the other day at the dealer. Figured I'd fill the new one with fluid, loosen up the old one and quickly change it with the new one. Will I lose much fluid in the process?

Any experiences out there?

Eric

BlackSilver · September 18, 2003

It's an easy 5 minute job. You'll see the filter hanging straight down off the Allison (looks just like a small oil filter).

You'll lose almost no fluid (just the contents of the filter).

There's a magnetic "doughnut" which may come off on the filter, or remain attached up on the transmission. Clean any residue off it and make sure to put it back on with the new filter.

awdvkd · September 18, 2003

Do your self a favor and change it every time you change the engine oil. GM's schedule is BS, allison recommends every 5k.

bluenote · September 18, 2003

Do yourself another favor and buy those filters from an Allison dealer instead a GM dealer. You'll save yourself at least $25-$30.

TXDMAX · September 18, 2003

Do your first change at 5k miles you only loose about 3 oz. so if it makes you feel better put a little bit more in. After the "flush change" you only need to change it every 25k or 50k miles, depending on your driving habits. You can find this info on the Allison website or call an Allison repair center.

LARSONEM · September 19, 2003

Yea, I see the price of the filter was over $21 for the external transmission filter. My dad is a dealership retiree and all levels of the dealership treat me very well in terms of discounting things. My final cost was a little over $13.

Thanks to all for the helpful information.

CMNTMXR81 · September 19, 2003

I change mine every 5k, and I get the filters over at the Allison/Detroit Diesel dealer for like $3.50 a piece. SO I stock up on several. What's costly over there is a gallon of Transynd.

awdvkd · September 19, 2003

Not to cause a fued but I believe TXDMAX is mistaken. Allison recommend the external filter be changed every 5k and the internal filter change is the extended change. The Allison dealer here suggest the internal be changed every 50k. Just the world according to me, a 5.00-10.00 filter being changed every 5k is worth it to me. I know at 25K I flushed mine and the fluid looked as good as the new fluid I put in. Let see that in a GM tranny.

TXDMAX · September 19, 2003

http://www.allisontransmission.com/service...q/index.jsp#105

awdvkd,

This is on the Allison web page. If anyone wants to do it at every 5k miles more power to them. We all maintain our trucks differently. The internal filter doesn't need to be done until an overhaul is in order. I work at the 4th largest chevy store in the country and have researched this info for my own personal truck as wall as my customers. I think we'll all agree it doesn't hurt to do it more often, just like oil changes some people swear by 3k miles while GM tells us to tell the customers wait till the light comes on around 7500 miles.

awdvkd · September 19, 2003

Granted and accepted! We have a really good Allison dealer here and I usually take their advice since the engineer don't work on them and they do. One other thing I noticed, I don't know if it all in my head or it really true but mine seems to run a little cooler after I change the external filter. Nothing intended or taken earlier. I have a real habit of stirring things, some say I carry a oar instead of a spoon. But its all fun!

CMNTMXR81 · September 19, 2003

I'll be doing my internal one as well as a whole power flushing at 25k. But that's just me. If you want to wait until 50k, there isn't any reason a HD Allison transmission with regular service filter changes (the spin on ones), can't go the same distance as any regular GM Hydramatic.

TXDMAX · September 19, 2003

No bother here. Believe me, i've posted things that have been told to me by GM then found out from other members not to be true.

LARSONEM · September 23, 2003

I got around to changing the filter last night. Pretty simple. Very little fluid loss except for what was in the filter itself. I just filled up the new one 2 or 3 times before I put it on so it could soak into the new pleated paper inside the filter. There is one heck of a big magnet in there and it did have a bunch of grime on it.

Thanks for everyones help and suggestions.

Eric