T20 fluid/maintance

[bierbower37]

I recently got a 1998 Max II with around 100 hours on it...well i went through cleaned and lubed everything. My T20 oil was contaminated with water so i ran fresh fluid in til it was good. So my question is what is the capacity for fluid in the tranny? I went to the check plug which is way less than a quart do u guys run more in there? What type do you guys perfer? or any other advice to make it last as long as possible such as certain extra maintance?

[Mike]

Congratulations on your Max. If you will use the search function here on the site, there are a TON of threads on this topic. I searched for "T20 fluid" and got lots of hits. Here are two to get you started:

http://www.6x6world.com/forums/transmissions/9226-t20-trans-oil.html

http://www.6x6world.com/forums/transmissions/665-t-20-fluid-maintenance.html#post2315

[JOHNMcDANIEL0322]

i talked to max they said use 1 quart of type F ATF fluid the tranny says use dexron III or IV but im not sure why the tranny says that and max uses something else no clue why but also add 4 oz of gm positraction or ford positraction fluid for rearends

[mikni]

Leak?

Here is an interesting thing on my t-20. It looks like the trany is leaking...fluid on the bottom of the tub and when you run your finger over the bottom of the trany you get a little fluid on them. This is a Max IV so I am not excited about pulling the trany. Just for kick I pulled the bottom plug to check the level and there was a little fluid that dribbled out. It is full! How can you have a slow leak and still be full?

[Mike]

It could have been overfilled to start with and then when it gets warm it is pushing a little fluid out around the plungers. Or it could just be leaking a little bit period. It doesn't take much fluid to make a mess in the tub. If it's just a little amount I wouldn't worry about it too much.

[mikni]

For now, that is my plan, but I will keep my eye on it.

[onlyonce]

Mikni what is the aprox. year of your machine?

[mikni]

IT IS A 1993. Max IV.

[onlyonce]

There are three possible places I would look to find the leak.(1) As already mentioned the plunger o rings may be shot. (2) The bolts holding the two halves of the t-20 together are starting to loosen. (3) I know right around 89 or so borg warner had aluminum sleeves that were epoxied into the t-20 case for the o ring plungers to slide in rather than just sliding in holes in the housing. I have had the epoxy fail and the fluid leak out between the sleeves and the case holes working its way through the failed epoxy. All three of the above will leave small puddles on tub floor.All three of the above need the transmission removed to repair and two of the above will need it taken apart.

[techfx]

Since this is now a t-20 leak thread... I was wondering for the past week if this Lucas Oil power steering stop leak that I put in my car would be worth trying in my t-20 that has a leak at the right output shaft. It says on the back "is compatible with all automatic transmission fluids". It seems like a really thick version of my powersteering fluid (which is dexron III in my VW). It seems help that system so far (a 1 year old reman steering rack that leaks). If it doesn't work, I'll have to tear apart my t-20 to replace the seal anyway. Anyone have a good reason I souldn't try it?