For all of my patient RV blog readers, today's blog is not about grandbabies!!!!! As I promised a few blogs ago, I would post the pics of what we are up to.
Steve took care of our tranny fluid and filters last week. Besides the VERY IRRITATING disclosure of finding out our tranny fluid and filters were 16 years old.. yes... SIXTEEN years old, we felt we are now doing a better service to our Allison transmission by putting in synthetic fluid called Transyd.
(the dealer we bought the rig from 6 years ago SAID they changed the tranny fluid and filters, and they were listed on the work order as being preformed and done, but obviously not because the filters are dated 1996. ARGGGHH)
When Steve was buying the filters and gasket kit, the Allison dealer said many motorhome manufacturers will change the size of the pan, (low sump or high sump, 2" or 4") and it's best to buy BOTH kits and return the one not used. That way your rig is not sitting wide open susceptible to dirt intrusion while you run back to get the other kit if you purchased the wrong one! What a great idea when you live 80 miles round trip like we do!
The first step is using a special hex head to remove the bolt that will drain the old tranny fluid. Steve looks quite pleased that it came out easily without having to contort or twist himself into a pretzel to remove it from underneath the rig.
We drain the fluid into a big flat tote
that we later pour into buckets
to bring to our mechanic friend Lyle. He recycles it for us.
Our diesel motorhome takes almost five gallons of transmission fluid.
Once the pan is drained, then it's time to remove the filters.
Even more fluid comes out as he removes them.
(this is where we discovered the dated filters were from 1996!)
He carefully assembles the two new special O rings onto the base section,
making sure everything is spic and span clean!
One spec of sand or grit can destroy the transmission,
so he is extremely cautious in doing this.
Next comes the gasket, and yes, it's a perfect fit.
Now the filter slips firmly into place and is ready to be reinserted back onto the transmission.
Then the final batch of synthetic Transyd will be added and not need to be touched again for 300,000 miles. Yearly testing can be done with analysis of the chemicals helps to determine wear and tear, and viscosity of the fluid.
We added the amount of fluid we felt was close to the calibrated dip stick fill line at cold. Then we started up the rig, strapped in the car seat and took it for a ride to warm it up and check the levels again when warmed to 170 degrees. Little Chelsea was staying with us, so she got the honor of going for a ride!
Once the tranny was warmed up, we checked the levels with both the calibrated dip stick and the electronic transmission shift pad which has a digital diagnostic readout of the levels. All was just perfect!
Chelsea didn't want to come home.
I know the feeling, I didn't either!
Now something for my Fiber Blog readers --- but this can be for all of my RVing blog readers too.
We all struggle with storage space in our motorhomes as well as our fiber studios. I was using some of the Space Bags brand bags for storing yarns and rovings, but 3 of the 5 I loaded up a few weeks ago have let loose and expanded again.
I googled to see if there was a better brand or better idea..... I found this really really good hint!
I think you can get a good percentage of the functionality by buying some Ziploc Big Bags, stuffing them full and zipping the most of the way shut, then putting a board on the bag, slowly sitting on it, then leaning over to finish closing the zip. Bonus - The bags are much stronger.
What a GREAT IDEA!!! I don't have the Zip Lock Big Bags on hand right now, but I do have some of those 2 gallon Zip Lock freezer bags. I took them out and set to the task of seeing how well this works. Step by Step photos below:
Tonight Steveio and I are going to change the oil and filters in the
Onan LP generator... and install a new muffler too.
The old one rusted out and the back end blew off last week. ACK!
Stay tuned!
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Great job on changing the filter. And keeping it clean is extremely important. I have always loved using Ziploc bags for everything.
ReplyDeleteYou'd better be careful Karen or little Chelsea will be replacing you as co-pilot. It looks like she enjoys the job.
ReplyDeleteLooks like Steveo is in his element.I am going to change to tyransyd in my Allison also. everyone says it is best for long transmission life.Glad to see you are getting more packed. be safe out there. Sam & Donna..
ReplyDeleteOh can I borrow Steve!!??? I need my tranny done too please!
ReplyDeleteChelsea is adorable :-)
And thanks so much for the tip on the space bags, vs ziploc. I've used spacebags & yes, they deflate! I have a bunch of yarn, I never thought of bagging it up. duh. Now I can have a widdle bit more space in my little C.
So glad that the transmission filter and fluid change went well and that Chelsea was able to go for a ride in the motorhome while you got to make sure everything did what it was suppose to.
ReplyDeleteYou are always full of good storage ideas. I will have to remember that one if I need to squeeze anything down in size.
Kevin and Ruth
www.travelwithkevinandruth.com
Your one lucky gal to have a guy like Steve around. Granddaughter too. Wee one is adorable. :)
ReplyDeleteThats a GREAT idea with the ziplock bags. When I get home tonight I'm going to give it a whirl.
I was surprised Steve wasn't using nitrile gloves to protect his hands from the used oil...always a good idea!
ReplyDeleteWell, not to sound harsh, but Steve has been a wrencher since he was a lad, He has had greasy hands all his life. From lawnmowers and small engines as a teen working at the local gas station, then up to maintaining fleet vehicles and heavy equipment on the grounds crew at the university. He is not the type to run off and get gloves each time he is gonna get his hands dirty, sorry.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately most dealers are not to be trusted. There I said it.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the oil change however?
I'd sooner put my hands in cow manure. And I have.
It's not about "getting your hands dirty", it's about the chemicals in the fluids. A lot of those chemicals are "systemic" in nature, which means they head right for you liver, or worse yet, your lymphatic system.
I know of a gentleman who thoroughly enjoyed his life as a class A mechanic, but had to give it up because of all the "stuff" that had seeped in through his skin.
Up to you, but a box of nitrile or latex gloves for 10 bucks, is a heck of a sight easier to manage than a diagnosis of something like Non-Hogdkin's lymphoma.
And I don't mean to sound "harsh" either, but take a really close look at the oil analysis whenever you get one done. It's an eye opener when you see what ends up in motor and tranny oil! Scary stuff.
Hey Bob, not trying to argue with you. You are probably very spot on Bob with that--- but you gotta realize what Steve does for a living. He is in facilities maintenance at the University. For 35 years he has his hands in all kinds of chemicals, solutions, paint products and oils for 8-10 hours a day. He is not the type to run off and put on a pair of gloves on each time. Neither are any of the other guys in his shop. So I am sure he isn't about to do it for one tranny change job at home either.
DeleteIf you think of all the things we put directly INTO our bodies through our mouths, be it medications, alcohol and drugs or food preservatives. Taking these on an every day basis probably do greater harm in much higher doses to our liver and other organs, much more than what might be absorbed through the skin in a once in 300,000 mile tranny fluid change.
As for the dealer, they are out of business now... small wonder, eh?
In my blog 5 blogs back, I have actual photos of the work orders showing it had been done and even the charges for it listed. (they included all the work and parts and labor for those items as their part of the sale agreement) How frustrating! That is why we do all of our own work on our rig.