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Old 02-16-2018, 02:15 PM   #1
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Cat 3126 Thomas trans question

Does anyone know what trans fluid and how much is needed for a 1999 Thomas, 37' 10" bus? It sat from end of July until now. Pulled the dipstick and it's not even registering. I don't know what kind of trans other than it's an automatic.
Any help is greatly appreciated.

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Old 02-16-2018, 02:48 PM   #2
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Does anyone know what trans fluid and how much is needed for a 1999 Thomas, 37' 10" bus? It sat from end of July until now. Pulled the dipstick and it's not even registering. I don't know what kind of trans other than it's an automatic.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
The normal check is wih the transmission fluid at operating temp, and the engine idling.

Which transmission?
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Old 02-16-2018, 03:05 PM   #3
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There should be a tag on the passenger side of the transmission that will tell you what model of transmission you have. It may be covered with stuff so take a rag the first time under.
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Old 02-16-2018, 03:32 PM   #4
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Likely a 3060 like mine.
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Old 02-16-2018, 05:15 PM   #5
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It's an Allison MD3060. It's warming up now. Worst case scenario, what's the capacity of it if it all drained out?
I'm getting to old to crawl around on the cold ground like that! LOL The identification plate was on the driver's side. But at least I know where to find it now, thank you!

Kudos to y'all for such a quick response! Wow!
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Old 02-16-2018, 05:26 PM   #6
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It's an Allison MD3060. It's warming up now. Worst case scenario, what's the capacity of it if it all drained out?
I'm getting to old to crawl around on the cold ground like that! LOL The identification plate was on the driver's side. But at least I know where to find it now, thank you!

Kudos to y'all for such a quick response! Wow!


Let us know! I haven’t changed my fluid because the maintenance log showed it still being good for a while. I should probably look into it before my big trip though.
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Old 02-16-2018, 05:31 PM   #7
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hey guys, just saying hi and seeing if I can post. just got my bus a couple days ago...starting the teardown...
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Old 02-16-2018, 05:58 PM   #8
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hey guys, just saying hi and seeing if I can post. just got my bus a couple days ago...starting the teardown...
Welcom

It works. You won't be able to post links until you have posted something like 5 or 10 times. Other than that, you're good.
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Old 02-16-2018, 06:13 PM   #9
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Thanks again y'all! Got her moving. It'll be a miracle if she makes it this 600+ mile trip, wish me luck! ��
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Old 02-16-2018, 06:27 PM   #10
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If you get a bus running it will usually do fine as long as you want to keep driving it. Problems come at startup, so don't shut her down till you get home.

Remember, drive it like you stole it. Buses are invisible.
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Old 02-16-2018, 07:19 PM   #11
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"buses are invisible"

i agree, unfortunately, i had to run mine home without reg or insurance. never got a look. took it easy and safe. i was leaving like 200 feet between me and anyone in front of me haha
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Old 02-16-2018, 07:42 PM   #12
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That's the ticket. It also helps if you have an old man hat. It makes a good profile of you when the cops are passing.

Our temp tags are supposed to be mounted on the inside of the rear window on the driver's side. Unfortunately the tag does not show through the tinted window at all, and bear in mind that you can get a ticket for an improperly mounted temp tag. By law it was in the right place. I drove around for several weeks before I received plates and never got so much as a long look. After you paint the bus it becomes visible and you're automatically classified as a bus driving hippy. Make it easy on yourself and just slip into some tie-dye clothing.
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Old 02-16-2018, 09:18 PM   #13
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The local radio stations around here are raising quite an uproar around here over the quantity of vehicles running the metro St.Louis area on temp tags having folks send them phone photos there are dozens of them many a year or two expired.
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Old 02-17-2018, 06:29 AM   #14
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If you get a bus running it will usually do fine as long as you want to keep driving it. Problems come at startup, so don't shut her down till you get home.

Remember, drive it like you stole it. Buses are invisible.
Thanks! This trip then just a short one at less than 10 miles and she can RIP lol
I'm not even shutting her down at fuel stops.
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Old 02-23-2018, 08:25 AM   #15
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Turns out the trans is just fine. It's not an issue of, it dumped the oil. 2 gallons in under 13 miles.
I made it from a rest area to a teeny, tiny truck stop in that short trip. As I backed in to par, the power steering line blew (2nd time for that).
Is there anyone near Orangeburg/Columbia, SC that maybe willing to give me a hand? Please?
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Old 02-23-2018, 10:23 AM   #16
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Ouch. Sorry. Any idea where it is leaking from? As I imagine you know the cat 3126 is sensitive to oil cleanliness and volume. Don’t want to blow up the HUEI pump.
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Old 02-23-2018, 10:35 AM   #17
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Ouch. Sorry. Any idea where it is leaking from? As I imagine you know the cat 3126 is sensitive to oil cleanliness and volume. Don’t want to blow up the HUEI pump.
I've been under twice and can't find it. Everything is wet with oil. I only know the puddle is pretty close to the bumper.

With the amount of oil that's blown out of her, it' was all new at this point lol 6 plus gallons in under 400 miles.
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Old 02-23-2018, 11:20 AM   #18
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Pictures? Front main seal?
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Old 04-11-2018, 04:06 PM   #19
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The leak turned out to be just a bolt that keeps vibrating loose.

I'm now dealing with that same tranny issue that's got to be a loose connection somewhere.
I keep hearing an electrical clicking sound in the instrument panel. The gear indicator lights flicker. It goes from neutral to a zero to nothing and randomly cycles thru. I'm not sure what it is, but I need to make another 61 mile trip and now it's acting as if I'm not turning the key.
I almost can't wait to not have this beast anymore...
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