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Technical => Drivetrain Tech => Topic started by: jcassity on September 17, 2012, 10:48:03 PM

Title: 30w in place of transmission fluid
Post by: jcassity on September 17, 2012, 10:48:03 PM
anyone in hot climate tried it yet,,,?

Allison specs required it for very hot climates, i know over in iraq, our Buffalo's got 30w,, not sure if anyone did here state side or not. just curious.

reason why i ask is i stopped into autozone for a bottle of magic juice and was offered Lucus transmission treatement. 

I declined although my symptom is that the fluid is new, new filter, still slips when in a curve or **if i baby the gas pedal** and the RPMs really are not force a quick shift.  If i work the gas pedal a tiny bit more agressive, i dont slip.

I did once upon a time adjust the TV cable via V8Demons write up and it seemed to correct some of this.

I was surprised that the lucus stuff was very thick,, then it got me thinking about thin motor oil.

let the bashing begin.............:hick:
Title: 30w in place of transmission fluid
Post by: mcb82gt on September 18, 2012, 08:18:09 AM
I know some use john deere or case tractor hydraulic fluid.  Its for tractors that use it for clutch and various systems.  IDK, im not a farmer.
Title: 30w in place of transmission fluid
Post by: jcassity on September 18, 2012, 12:26:46 PM
Maybe i rambled a little..................

has anyone tried 30w in thier AOD in hotter climates/?
Title: 30w in place of transmission fluid
Post by: Thunder Chicken on September 18, 2012, 04:22:26 PM
Straight 30 wouldn't have the friction modifiers your tranny needs. I'd recommend against it, it would probably ruin the tranny...
Title: 30w in place of transmission fluid
Post by: jcassity on September 18, 2012, 07:02:54 PM
I think its an allison transmission thing in the diesel application... talked to a transmission guru a little while ago and there is an application for hot climates but he is not familiar with fomoco data sheets on this.
Im not going to try it, i was just curious as to what exactly do people do in very hot climates,, they stil drive cars there but there has to be something different about fluids in general with respect to trans.
Title: 30w in place of transmission fluid
Post by: Haystack on September 18, 2012, 10:33:47 PM
I don't use anything differently, and I have gotten up to 114 plus for several days or weeks straight.

I would assume a tranny cooler would help it.

Straight 30w in engines is for climates where it never gets below freezing. In winter you should run either 10w-30 or 10w-40. The w just means its winter rated, and acts as a 10w oil when cold, but thickens up to 30w when warm.
Title: 30w in place of transmission fluid
Post by: TOM Renzo on September 18, 2012, 10:48:18 PM
Ok i cant believe i am reading this!!!! Has anyone realized their is a dramatic difference between oil and fluids. Auto trannys fluids have coefficient of friction modifiers. Oils do not. Tranny fluids are designed to set and hold clutches. Oils are a lubricant that does not set clutches just saying. As an old bike builder we had wet clutches that used engine oils. But basically ATF has very different properties. Type F has the most friction modifiers. And B&M trick shift has a higher amount than type F. All the allisons we service take ATF of some kind or the other. So please explain if the TRANNY is an auto or manual. From the post it is definitely an auto. And if memory serves me the only tranny i remember that took hydrulic oil was a 2 speed cast iron Power Glide. Hydraulic oils are also different from motor oils. Thanks
Title: 30w in place of transmission fluid
Post by: TOM Renzo on September 18, 2012, 10:53:22 PM
Stacks just for the record a straight weight oil such as 30 is not a w designation. It cant be. If it was a winter grade it would be a 20W20 ETC. Not a 30W The designation W is a winter grade and must be designated as such!!!

You are using the W DESIGNATION incorrectly in your post!!!
Title: 30w in place of transmission fluid
Post by: Haystack on September 18, 2012, 11:27:54 PM
Yes tom, sorry if I confused everyone.

10w30 means winter rated.

I started abbreviating weight as w halfway through my post.
Title: 30w in place of transmission fluid
Post by: 86cougar on September 19, 2012, 12:09:35 PM
Ok, I guess I'll stick my nose in here.... I have lived in Arizona since 1974 minus my term in the Air Force and I have never had anybody suggest the use of oil (any weight) in my transmission. Honestly, if they did we would probably suggest they stand in the shade for a while. Actually, I don't think we have as big a problem as some might think. I would be willing to bet that the cars here probably last as long as most other places as long as they are properly maintained. If I remember right, I think Carl Shelby was backing up some products that claim to benefit your car and I yet to read about any results on this forum yet (maybe I have just missed them). I've got a crazy idea, if you want you car to last a long time... change all your fluids every 500 miles. I'm sure somebody somewhere has tried oil in their transmission before, I just don't think you'll find him or her on this forum. Jcassity, I've read your thoughts on this forum before, I'm not about to bash you, you've probably forgotten more about cars than I know. Just put the beer down, and walk away (lol).
Title: 30w in place of transmission fluid
Post by: TOM Renzo on September 19, 2012, 08:57:17 PM
Modern ATF is now formulated to withstand excessive heats. Synthetic tranny fluids are recommended by Allison for their newer transmissions because of the higher heat generated by emission controlled engines. We stock synthetic transmission fluid for the newer transmissions and we use it in the older units as well.  Price difference is literally OUTRAGEOUS!!!
Title: 30w in place of transmission fluid
Post by: Haystack on September 19, 2012, 09:59:42 PM
I usually steer clear from sythetics.

I sometimes use the motorcraft synthetic blend when its on sale.
Title: 30w in place of transmission fluid
Post by: Chrome on September 19, 2012, 10:17:48 PM
:drink:Wow!!!! Jcassity, I'll have what yer havin.
Title: 30w in place of transmission fluid
Post by: Chrome on September 20, 2012, 11:09:08 PM
This does bring up a good question. One fluid for all climates? What about the extreme cold? Anyone in the northern part of Canada or in Alaska have to run a different fluid or additive? A couple of winters ago, my truck blew the slave cylinder for the clutch because of temps in the negatives with a high wind chill. The brake fluid that the clutch uses just got too thick in the super cold.
Title: 30w in place of transmission fluid
Post by: jcassity on September 21, 2012, 05:44:39 AM
not sure what the issue here is but anyhoo, ive lost interest in the topic for the moment.  found my answer a couple days ago as to what i was asking.

here is the tech info for use in severe duty transmission applications calling out motor oil so have a drink on me.
There is a MAC chart showing a temp range of 120Degf ambient where 30w is optimal for off road severe duty.... i can find that to if you all like.

i was just asking a question, thats all.

http://www.lubegard.com/pdfs/allison_techbulletin.pdf


I asked because i knew for a fact some of our IED equipment arrived in theater with "some" allisons running 30w while others running atf.  when i looked into it then called allisons tech support form Ah-Rhamdi, they told me that there is zero warranty on the units if used on IED vehicles and that i should instruct the other Fob's to swap the fluid to "thin as possible viscosity motor oil for the very best dependablity in harsh temp's.
Title: 30w in place of transmission fluid
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on September 21, 2012, 10:52:39 AM
Quote from: Haystack;398587
I don't use anything differently, and I have gotten up to 114 plus for several days or weeks straight.

I would assume a tranny cooler would help it.

Straight 30w in engines is for climates where it never gets below freezing. In winter you should run either 10w-30 or 10w-40. The w just means its winter rated, and acts as a 10w oil when cold, but thickens up to 30w when warm.

Nope that ain't right either...No oil thickens when hot... 10W-30 is like 10W when cold but is still something like 15-20x times thicker than a hot 30 weight... Basically a 10W-30, only thins out to a 30W when hot instead of a 10w...

As far as oil changes,  I run Mobil 1 Extended Performance(rated for 15K mi changes) or similar synthetic for one year intervals in both my Grand Marquis'... In that time they'll run up 8000-10000mi... 

A good explanation of oils and viscosity...

http://www.upmpg.com/tech_articles/motoroil_viscosity/
Title: 30w in place of transmission fluid
Post by: Chrome on September 21, 2012, 02:20:49 PM
Not sure why we are talking about viscosity of oil in the engine. I was wondering about the fluid in the AOD. Anyone use anything different in extremely cold climates?
Title: 30w in place of transmission fluid
Post by: 86cougar on September 21, 2012, 07:25:01 PM
Oh now Chrome.... This thread was started because Jcassity wanted know about transmissions drinking oil in HOT climates. Now it looks like your trying to high jack this thread (lol). Transmission fluid anyone??
Title: 30w in place of transmission fluid
Post by: jcassity on September 22, 2012, 04:26:57 PM
hi-jack away, its a good topic for different climates.  as you see the TSB i show , Allison back in early 2003 i think approved engine oil in certain conditions pertaining to climate.
Since force protection was purchased by GDLS, i cant get to the .mil website for the MAC charts but the link i posted should be good nuff for proof.
Title: 30w in place of transmission fluid
Post by: jcassity on September 25, 2012, 12:02:02 AM
Ttt