Former Allison Transmission Fluids Engineer

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My name is Tom Johnson. I was invited, by forum management, to participate on this ATF forum. I was asked to participate because I was the former Allison Transmission Fluids Engineer from 1990-2009. In this position, I had responsibility for review and approval of all transmission fluids for Allison commercial and military products on a worldwide basis. I'm here to help answer your technical questions specific to Allison fluid specifications (TES-389 and TES-295), Castrol TranSynd, fluid types (conventional vs. synthetics), fluid formulations and how they change with use and how to detect fluid changes (viscosity loss, oxidation and contamination) through transmission fluid analysis.

What I Do Now - Upon retiring from Allison Transmission and GM, I started JG Lubricant Services. We do oil and coolant analysis for many different applications, vehicles and equipment. We specialize in detailed transmission fluid analysis for Allison transmission products from the 1000 Series used in GM pickups and also are specialists in all other models including the 2000, 3000 and 4000 Series in trucks, buses and RVs. We can also analyze samples from the larger Off-Highway (5000-9000 Series) product lines.

PS: You can call me "Mr. TranSynd".
 
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welcome to BITOG! Another guy with expertise in engineered lubricants is a great addition to this forum. Off subject, a very famous populist Mayor of Cleveland OH was named Tom L Johnson in the early 20th century. Shall I call you Mr Mayor?

Again, welcome aboard, I'm sure your contribution on ATF subjects will be helpful.

Oldtommy
 
welcome Transynd!

Would luv your expert advice and input on BITOG...to quell some myths and housewifey's tales (and keep some horseflies at bay).

Q.
 
Welcome Tom!!!!

I already run Transynd in my Allison & 4L60E with great results.
I do have one question, I have read on this site that Transynd does not meet Dexron IIIH spec's....Is this true?
 
Welcome sir!
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Tom,

I'm glad we had a chance to talk today. With your extensive experience with Allison transmissions, you will certainly be a valuable asset to BITOG!

Wayne
 
Welcome TRANSYND. Of course you know you just set yourself up for being asked if you can put transynd in a Smart car and what not.
grin.gif
 
Hello and welcome to the BITOG family!

A question...although you focus on analysis of Castrol
Transynd, I wonder if you could name a US based distributor that also would carry the Castrol Syntrans Transaxle product? I have yet to find any US brick and mortar or on line seller that carries that product in the USA.
 
True. As far as I can remember, TranSynd never had a GM DEXRON-IIIH license. It did, however, have a valid DEXRON-IIIG license.

TES-295 came along about the same time that DEXRON-IIIH was starting to take over from the older DEXRON-IIIG market. DEXRON-IIIH had some friction and seal updates over DEXRON-IIIG and we (the GM ATF Committee, of which I was a member) were having problems setting passing limits for a couple of seal materials. Several fluids, including TranSynd, were slightly outside the limits. Testing showed that TranSynd exceeded the GM DEXRON-IIIH specification in all other tests so we (Castrol and Allison) never pursued a license. Also, the Allison TES-295 specification was the predominant specification for Allison products after its release. Millions of miles and thousands of hours of testing and field experience show that seal compatibility has never been an issue with TranSynd. In fact, TranSynd gives excellent seal performance with all past and current Allison seal materials including Viton seals where DEXRON-VI had an issue.

Hope that explains it. Good question !!!
 
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Originally Posted By: antiqueshell
Hello and welcome to the BITOG family!

A question...although you focus on analysis of Castrol
Transynd, I wonder if you could name a US based distributor that also would carry the Castrol Syntrans Transaxle product? I have yet to find any US brick and mortar or on line seller that carries that product in the USA.


Antiqueshell,
We focus on TranSynd (and TES-295) fluid analysis; however, we do test many other transmission fluids including older DEXRON-IIIH products (now known as "D3M) products. Note: D3M stands for GM DEXRON-III and Ford MERCON.

We have many customers who purchase a used truck or RV and don't have any maintenance records and want to know what's in the Allison. So they send in a sample, using our Advanced Oil Analysis Kit, and get an analysis done. If it's TranSynd, it will have stable viscosity and a high IR (infra-Red) reading. It it's an older DEXRON product, then it is often sheared down (thinned out)and has become too thin to provide proper lubrication and cooling.

For Castrol Syntrans, my suggestion is to call BP Lubricants USA. You can reach them at (410) 574-5000. Ask to speak to someone in Driveline Lubricant Sales. They should be able to tell you where you can get it in the US. BP Lubricants USA is located at 9300 Pulaski Hwy, Baltimore, MD 21220. I used to go there to give presentations and discuss TranSynd during the early "ramp up" days. Lots of good folks there.
 
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Originally Posted By: clinebarger
Welcome Tom!!!!

I already run TranSynd in my Allison & 4L60E with great results.
I do have one question, I have read on this site that Transynd does not meet Dexron IIIH spec's....Is this true?


This got me thinking..

I am at 50K miles and have not had my 6L80 serviced in my GMC.

Would I be able to use TranSynd instead of Dex VI ? Would this be a better option?

Thank you Mr. TranSynd for joining the forum. Your wisdom will be much appreciated.
 
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Mr Transynd,

Since you are no longer employed at Allison, are you bound by any confidentiality agreements?

I'd like to know just how many lube makers are OEM licensed for the TES-295. I realize many market them, but how many actually MAKE the fluids. After doing much research and hitting many dead ends, I could only verify just a few (Castrol/BP and Cognis/BASF). Are, or were, there others?

I presume you're in the Indy area; any chance you'd like to get together some day and talk shop?
 
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