Updates on Comfort Bus

[OrionsComfortBus]

Thank You Both for the replies.
Christopher, I will be sure to pass that bit of information on to the shop. Seems it will save a bit of time trying to figure it out.

 

[OrionsComfortBus]

Christopher, re-reading your reply has me wondering if the tailshaft seal and bearing have to be replaced after being pulled out OR are they undamaged and can be reinstalled.

 

[OrionsComfortBus]

Got bored tonight, went out into the bus and detached the instrument cluster from the dash. I then changed the D.I.P. switch settings for the speedometer. Took about 5 minutes overall. Went on a test run and Im happy with the results. The speedo now reads 63 at 60 on my GPS. Thats fine with me since it will give me a little "comfort zone". I can be doing 65 on the speedo but im actually going a little slower.

 

[OrionsComfortBus]

 

[OrionsComfortBus]

Found a pretty good deal on Transynd fluid at http://www.madjackdiesel.com

I saved about $20 on 6Gal of it versus the cost at Amazon.

I know its expensive but I wanted the first fill of the MT643 to be the correct fluid.

 

[HazMatt-SKO]

Good call!
You can always cheap-out down the road... [emoji57]

 

[OrionsComfortBus]

Got the 6 gallons of Transynd and 50 foot x 2 foot roll of Reflectix for the bus.

 

[OrionsComfortBus]

Good call!
You can always cheap-out down the road... [emoji57]

I don't think I ever will "cheap out" with the transmission fluid.

 

[alpine44]

Found a pretty good deal on Transynd fluid at http://www.madjackdiesel.com

I saved about $20 on 6Gal of it versus the cost at Amazon.

I know its expensive but I wanted the first fill of the MT643 to be the correct fluid.

TranSynd is good stuff. It noticeably reduced the converter slippage and resulting heat generation in the AT545 of my International 4700 box truck.

 

[EastCoastCB]

TranSynd is good stuff. It noticeably reduced the converter slippage and resulting heat generation in the AT545 of my International 4700 box truck.

I got enough to do a couple fills on my 545. A transmission isn't something to cheap out on.
In FL our bus regulations actually specify all buses must run Transynd when in service. Its probably the heat here.

 

[OrionsComfortBus]

Got the Transynd delivered to the shop.

Work on the bus has not started but I've been assured that it will be done before the thirteenth of this month.

 

[Native-SKO]

They like to cut things short! Not much time in that shedule for the "oops" factor.

 

[OrionsComfortBus]

Shouldn't take too long. Perhaps 2 days for the swap and 2 more for the drive shaft shortening.

 

[cadillackid]

Christopher, re-reading your reply has me wondering if the tailshaft seal and bearing have to be replaced after being pulled out OR are they undamaged and can be reinstalled.

The bearing is t damaged assuming you use the correct tool to pull it, the seal I never re use, I have the tools but I’m 1400 miles away from home, hopefully yours comes the right way so you just screw in the sensor from the 545 and go

 

[Rivetboy]

I got enough to do a couple fills on my 545. A transmission isn't something to cheap out on.
In FL our bus regulations actually specify all buses must run Transynd when in service. Its probably the heat here.

OK ECCB, here is my question, How long would tou run standard ATF in a new rebuild AT 545 before you drained it and upgraded to transyn? Their is 10 miles total on the trans at this point. Thanks !

 

[OrionsComfortBus]

OK ECCB, here is my question, How long would tou run standard ATF in a new rebuild AT 545 before you drained it and upgraded to transyn? Their is 10 miles total on the trans at this point. Thanks !

Just my thoughts. Why use anything else. It's a Allison, use the fluid designed for it. With standard ATF it might run hotter, not shift as smoothly and require changing at shorter intervals. Running hotter with harder shifts can lead to the trans breaking down sooner.



I watch OneLoneyFarmer on YouTube. He uses very specific fluid for his tractors. Hygrade I think. He says the tractors operate better . Quite a few others will only use full synthetic for lube. I personally have used full synthetic oil in the bus engine, rear diff and now the trans. It's expensive but well worth it.

If you expect to put slot of miles on it, give it the best chance of going the distance.

 

[cadillackid]

its the type of fluid, not the brand. TES-295 fluids are approved for the newer allisons..


the older allisons were built and designed to run on standard DEXRON III ATF.. for severe duty they actually published Specs to run Rotella T 15W40 Motor oil in them.. the idea being that at the time the motor oil maintained a higher level of lubricity at higher temperatures and didnt break down like standard ATF..


I run Transynd in my allison 1000 as its a newer trans and was built for synthetic fluids and as well as it extended my warranty from Suncoast to 36 months unlimited miles if I run Transynd..



Heat is the biggest killer of Transmission fluid.. when I shoot the side of my MT643 after 400 miles on the road in summer its hanging out in the 195-200 degree range.. regular ATF will last a long time at those temperatures.. im running a part synthetic.



would trandsynd help it? probably so, but a conversation with international when i got a couple parts was alongthe lines of transynd will never hurt an older transmission but high quality regular or part synthetic ATF is also good..


whats going to make your transmission last the longest is keeping it in its comfort-zone temperature wise.. dont get it hot.. transmissions Love to operate between 120 and 190 degrees.. pretty much any fluid is good till you get into that 210-220 range..

if you run consistently above 200-210 run transynd as it will hold up much better than regular or part synthetic.. but ultimately try and keep that trans below those temps..



an AT545 internally almost always runs warm esp if you climb any hills.. an MT643 behind an under-powered engine where it unlocks because you have it floored going 25 MPH up a grade will also get really hot..



most of the allison 1000/2000/3000 ive run into will lock in 2nd gear (all depends on the calibration program).. or will Lock the converter at a lower speed when they are hot.



I guess my takeaway with all this is keep your transmission comfortable!..

-Christopher

 

[EastCoastCB]

OK ECCB, here is my question, How long would tou run standard ATF in a new rebuild AT 545 before you drained it and upgraded to transyn? Their is 10 miles total on the trans at this point. Thanks !

With any new mechanical part that takes oil I like to fill it with the cheap stuff and go a hundred miles then change it again.

 

[EastCoastCB]

Just my thoughts. Why use anything else. It's a Allison, use the fluid designed for it. With standard ATF it might run hotter, not shift as smoothly and require changing at shorter intervals. Running hotter with harder shifts can lead to the trans breaking down sooner.



I watch OneLoneyFarmer on YouTube. He uses very specific fluid for his tractors. Hygrade I think. He says the tractors operate better . Quite a few others will only use full synthetic for lube. I personally have used full synthetic oil in the bus engine, rear diff and now the trans. It's expensive but well worth it.

If you expect to put slot of miles on it, give it the best chance of going the distance.

AT545 only requires regular ATF fluid. They spec Transynd in FL due to the heat but 545's don't call for it. But FL bus regs state that all school buses in service MUST run Transynd. Maybe it makes their transmissions live longer since they deal with cheap under-maintained buses in a tropical climate here.

Everyone has a magical brand of oil that's better than anyone else's. Changing it regularly is the most important thing.

 

[OrionsComfortBus]

Comfort Bus update and some sad news

First the sad news.

My father passed away last week Thursday afternoon. I have taken care of all the arrangements and am simply waiting on the judge to sign the death certificate. He will be interned at Fort Sam with his wife (my Mom) who passed 3 years prior. I'm trying to stay busy and not dwell on it, At least not until I have found a job. I will most likely have to give up the car. (2015 Nissan Altima SV) Its a recent acquisition back in Dec of 2018 and the purchase contract is for 5 years. Still have the bus. Trans swap was not done BUT still have all items previously listed to do the swap. Property owner/landlord has given me next month free so that is one expense I wont have to worry about.

Comfort Bus updates.

As previously mentioned I called the shop and had them stop all work. Got lucky and they were just barely tearing into it. Put it back into drive able condition, no charge. Using the bus as my daily driver after car is repo'd will not be fun BUT the car plus insurance is costing me $600 a month. Id rather keep it but realistically not possible. (shrugs) I can always shrink expenses more and save up to have it installed later.

Thanks to all of you in the Skoolie Forum especially Cadillackid, o1marc, EastCoastCB, alpine44, Native, Tango, Dirtdoctor, PNW_Steve, cowlitzcoach, geminusprime, Sleddgracer, Hazmat and Rivetboy. All of you made this a warm, family type experience . . . without the fights, mass alcohol abuse and police every weekend. :Thanx:

Not looking for sympathy, Simply dropping a line or two so you will understand when I dont respond or post as often as I used to.