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Trans Fluid [message #252293]

Mon, 16 June 2014 11:43

Galen

Messages: 146
Registered: November 2011
Location: New Virginia, IA

Karma: 0

Senior Member

I'm getting ready to change my filter and fluid in my coach this week, and it got me thinking about fluid. Engine oil for both the coach and the Onan gets discussed alot, but I don't recall too many conversations about transmission fluid, brands, store brands vs. whatever, or even the tractor hyrdra trans.

So I though I'd open up a can or worms and see what everyone thinks.

Has anyone changed to the John Deere or Case Hygard and is there any benefit? Do you have to do a full drain to changeover?

Is there any difference in brands vs. store brands like CarQuest, etc...?

Thanks.

Galen Briggs New Virginia, Iowa 1978 Palm Beach

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Re: [GMCnet] Trans Fluid [message #252297 is a reply to message #252293]

Mon, 16 June 2014 12:28

emerystora

Messages: 4442
Registered: January 2004

Karma: 13

Senior Member

There is a lot of difference between brands. The base stock of transmission is kerosene. To that is added corrosion inhibitors, anti-foam agents, detergents, and friction modifiers. The cheaper you pay usually the more inferior is the product.

Emery Stora

On Jun 16, 2014, at 10:43 AM, Galen Briggs wrote:

> I'm getting ready to change my filter and fluid in my coach this week, and it got me thinking about fluid. Engine oil for both the coach and the Onan
> gets discussed alot, but I don't recall too many conversations about transmission fluid, brands, store brands vs. whatever, or even the tractor hyrdra
> trans.
>
> So I though I'd open up a can or worms and see what everyone thinks.
>
> Has anyone changed to the John Deere or Case Hygard and is there any benefit? Do you have to do a full drain to changeover?
>
> Is there any difference in brands vs. store brands like CarQuest, etc...?
>
> Thanks.
> --
> Galen Briggs
> New Virginia, Iowa
> 1978 Palm Beach
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist

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Re: Trans Fluid [message #252304 is a reply to message #252293]

Mon, 16 June 2014 13:10

Carl S.

Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.

Karma: 13

Senior Member

Galen wrote on Mon, 16 June 2014 09:43

I'm getting ready to change my filter and fluid in my coach this week, and it got me thinking about fluid. Engine oil for both the coach and the Onan gets discussed alot, but I don't recall too many conversations about transmission fluid, brands, store brands vs. whatever, or even the tractor hyrdra trans.

So I though I'd open up a can or worms and see what everyone thinks.

Has anyone changed to the John Deere or Case Hygard and is there any benefit? Do you have to do a full drain to changeover?

Is there any difference in brands vs. store brands like CarQuest, etc...?

Thanks.

I read on here that our resident transmission expert, Manny, has made a recommendation to use Mobil-1 in switch pitch transmissions due to the added heat of the switch pitch torque converter. I have switched my non-switch pitch transmission over to it because I do a lot of towing and mountain driving. It costs a bit more, but I feel like it is worth the extra expense.

You can probably get by with any good quality name brand fluid with synthetic or synthetic blend fluids being the best bet. Transmissions are expensive, so you'll want to do whatever it takes to make them last.

I don't know anything about tractor fluids, but I would be reluctant to use any other type than the ones made for the application.

JWID

Carl Stouffer '75 ex Palm Beach Tucson, AZ. Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member

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Re: [GMCnet] Trans Fluid [message #252311 is a reply to message #252293]

Mon, 16 June 2014 14:05

powerjon

Messages: 2446
Registered: January 2004

Karma: 5

Senior Member

Galen,
You can you any number of brands of transmission fluids. They must be rated for GM Dexron II or higher. You can also run the Mobil 1 Trans fluid also along with several other brands of synthetic mixes. Is your trans original or has it been rebuild and low or high miles?

Lets start with the non synthetic blends. I am going to use AZ as a source, but you can find these at most auto supply and walmart too.

or
http://tinyurl.com/k5mmekb

or
http://tinyurl.com/kt7njb5

You mentioned John Deere, they make an excellent fluid for automatic transmissions call Hi-Guard Hydraulic/Transmission oil, Was recommended by Bob Drews

or
http://goo.gl/yHBZmv

Synthetic Blends

Mobile 1 Sythetic Tranmission fluid. Good fluid, costly, great for rebuilt and for heavy hauling.

NAPA Sourced

or
http://goo.gl/HUarlG

What it really narrows down to how much you want to spend and the choice is yours.

JR Wright
78 Buskirk Stretch
75 Avion
Michigan

On Jun 16, 2014, at 12:43 PM, Galen Briggs wrote:

> I'm getting ready to change my filter and fluid in my coach this week, and it got me thinking about fluid. Engine oil for both the coach and the Onan
> gets discussed alot, but I don't recall too many conversations about transmission fluid, brands, store brands vs. whatever, or even the tractor hyrdra
> trans.
>
> So I though I'd open up a can or worms and see what everyone thinks.
>
> Has anyone changed to the John Deere or Case Hygard and is there any benefit? Do you have to do a full drain to changeover?
>
> Is there any difference in brands vs. store brands like CarQuest, etc...?
>
> Thanks.
> --
> Galen Briggs
> New Virginia, Iowa
> 1978 Palm Beach
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist

_______________________________________________
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J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLaker
GMC Eastern States
GMCMI
78 30' Buskirk Stretch
75 Avion Under Reconstruction
Michigan

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Re: Trans Fluid [message #252316 is a reply to message #252293]

Mon, 16 June 2014 15:08

Galen

Messages: 146
Registered: November 2011
Location: New Virginia, IA

Karma: 0

Senior Member

Thanks for the information and always appreciate the insights here.

Quote:

Is your trans original or has it been rebuild and low or high miles?

I don't know if it's been rebuilt or not. I am at least the fourth owner and I bought it from an estate. There have been a lot of high dollar upgrades , mechanical and cosmetic, so I believe it may well have been. Previous to the PO folks spent big money and used to winter in AZ. I've never had the slightest performance issue with the tranny - until I lost my governor gear yesterday.

Quote:

You mentioned John Deere, they make an excellent fluid for automatic transmissions call Hi-Guard Hydraulic/Transmission oil, Was recommended by Bob Drews

Yes, the Hy-Gard is what I've heard of racers using, as it it designed for much higher pressures/temps, low foaming, etc.... If it performs better, and meets or exceeds the required specs (not to mention its cheap enough) seems like a good alternative. Just curious if anyone was actually using it.

Galen Briggs New Virginia, Iowa 1978 Palm Beach

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Re: Trans Fluid [message #252358 is a reply to message #252293]

Mon, 16 June 2014 20:35

Bob de Kruyff

Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ

Karma: 1

Senior Member

Galen wrote on Mon, 16 June 2014 10:43

I'm getting ready to change my filter and fluid in my coach this week, and it got me thinking about fluid. Engine oil for both the coach and the Onan gets discussed alot, but I don't recall too many conversations about transmission fluid, brands, store brands vs. whatever, or even the tractor hyrdra trans.

So I though I'd open up a can or worms and see what everyone thinks.

Has anyone changed to the John Deere or Case Hygard and is there any benefit? Do you have to do a full drain to changeover?

Is there any difference in brands vs. store brands like CarQuest, etc...?

Thanks.

I think your biggest choice is synthetic or conventional. If you aren't towing any Dexron version will be fine--i suspect you will only be able to get the most recent Dexron which is backwards compatible. I think a simple drop the pan replacement is your best bet and don't worry what is in the converter. Stay away from any flush procedure.

Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ

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