Allison Transmission Fluid Level Check

[Hat43c1981]

All,

Our 43c has Allison transmissions and I am trying to figure out the proper procedure for checking the fluid level in each. I.e. check them cold? After they have been running? Check them while they are running etc? This is the first boat I have owned with Allisons. Thanks in advance!

[bigbill]

pretty sure they have to be checked when running and hot. to make it easier on yourself, run, get hot, fill to the full mark, then let it sit for a day and check cold with the engine off, make a new mark on the dipstick. this way you can check level before you fire up the engines and have to get into a hot engine room

[rwaldrop13]

pretty sure they have to be checked when running and hot. to make it easier on yourself, run, get hot, fill to the full mark, then let it sit for a day and check cold with the engine off, make a new mark on the dipstick. this way you can check level before you fire up the engines and have to get into a hot engine room

Hand Salute! That is an excellent idea.

[oscarvan]

Exactly what I did..... (I think Pascal suggested it to me a while ago).

[Bob Bradley]

pretty sure they have to be checked when running and hot. to make it easier on yourself, run, get hot, fill to the full mark, then let it sit for a day and check cold with the engine off, make a new mark on the dipstick. this way you can check level before you fire up the engines and have to get into a hot engine room

Buy this man a cigar if you meet him. As I said on the other post, Gawd I love this place.

I have a 79 43C with 6v92ta's and that is exactly what I do.

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

Buy this man a cigar if you meet him. As I said on the other post, Gawd I love this place.I have a 79 43C with 6v92ta's and that is exactly what I do.

So he helps you and now you want to give him cancer?

[rsmith]

Yeah no. If the cold check was accurate Allison would have marked the sticks and had it in the procedure. DUH! I fire up the engines every morning and by the time I get the final engine room check the fluid level is stabilized and accurate. Doesn’t need to be red hot just running and the fluid circulating and stabilized. Pull the stick wipe the stick and recheck.

[Hatteras58]

Check fluid when "running and hot".... Do you mean check the fluid level when underway (in forward) or with transmission in neutral and shaft not turning? Manual is not clear as to this specific procedure.

[rsmith]

Neutral

[bigbill]

the reason they want it checked running and hot is because each boat/engine/hose /mount/cooler is different and the amount of oil will differ from one setup to the next and the cold level will be different on each setup. that is why i said to let it sit for a day so it will settle...allison may not put this in their books but a very well respected 32 year DD/Alison mechanic told me how to do it when he did the engine survey on my 46sf in 1999