Auto Zone Ali Filter

[denverdale]

I was in Auto Zone today to pick up some items and ask them if they had the spin on filter for the Allison tranny. They looked it up and sold me a Deutsch TF99 filter. I looked on their web site after I got home and found two filters listed. One was the one above and the second was a Deutsch149 filter.
Has anyone used either filter? Does anyone know the difference between the filters?

Thanks in advance for any info.

Denverdale

[DmaxMaverick]

The Allison has 2 filters. One external (the one you replaced), and one internal, like traditional auto tranny filters. The internal is only to be changed at overhaul, according to Allison.

[denverdale]

It dawned on me as I was going out for supper a little bit ago. The TF99 filter is the spin on and the other is the internal filter.

Denverdale

[jbplock]

One thing to note with aftermarket Allison Filters is the location of the filter inlet holes; make sure the magnet does not block them. Inlet holes on the OE filter are near the outside edge of the filter cap. If the holes are close to the center it’s OK as long as there is a bevel on the cap that allows flow under the magnet...

I also ran into this on my daughter's Saturn. They use a spin-on filter with a magnet that's nearly identical to the Allison (it's even red). On my first fluid change I bought an aftermarket filter at Advance Auto, but after removing the original Saturn filter I noticed the inlet holes on the aftermarket were blocked by the magnet. I opted for new OE Saturn OE filter. It interesting that except for the thread size the Saturn filter it's nearly identical to the Allison.

:)

[77TransAm]

Even the thread size should be identical; Allison used Saturn filters during development and testing of the LCT. I think the first change was to add a bypass, then it was changed to add the flats for a filter wrench, then it was changed to increase the o-ring's resistance to blowout during cold (-40F) startup. I don't remember any thread size changes, so in theory a Saturn filter should still go on.

[denverdale]

At the risk of seeming dense, I still haven't received an answer to my original question. Has anyone used the Deutsch TF99 filter from Auto Zone? Any opinions?

Thanks
Denverdale

[jbplock]

I took a closer look at the Saturn and Allison Filters and as 77TransAm is pointed out, the threads ARE the same between the two filters (my mistake :o) Also as 77 stated, the Saturn filters don’t appear to have a bypass and they are slightly longer. They also do not have the flats. However the most interesting point is that the part number of the aftermarket filter purchased for the Saturn from Advance Auto is a TF99. :eek: The TF99 is the same size as the Saturn, doesn’t have a bypass, and the holes are near the center such that the magnet will cover them. A beveled top creates a gap that allows some flow, but the gap is small. I used the filter on my daughter’s Saturn for a day until I could get a Saturn OE filter from the dealer. The transmission seemed to work ok but I felt better with the OE. Personally, even though it would fit, I would not use the TF99 on my Allison.. Here are some Pictures…

http://www.thedieselpageforums.com/photopost/data/500/thumbs/Allison-Saturn_Side.JPG
Filter Side View Comparison ( http://www.thedieselpageforums.com/photopost/data/500/medium/Allison-Saturn_Side.JPG)
http://www.thedieselpageforums.com/photopost/data/500/thumbs/Allison-Saturn_Top.JPG
Filter TopView Comparison ( http://www.thedieselpageforums.com/photopost/data/500/medium/Allison-Saturn_Top.JPG)

On Edit. I looked up an Allison Filter on the AutoZone website and it specifies a Deutsch TF97 (not TF99) .. Also, on the Baldwin website the TF99 crosses to a Saturn equivalent BT8413 (no bypass). The Baldwin version of the Allison is BT8460 which has a 9psi bypass.

:)

First time using the new Forum Photo Album Feature ( http://www.thedieselpage.com/features/photopost.htm) Very Nice! Thanks TDP! http://www.thedieselpageforums.com/tdpforum/images/icons/icon14.gif

[denverdale]

jbplock
Thanks for the reply. When I look up the filter info on Autozone.com, it comes up with N/A. When I search on TF99, it come up for the allison. Strange. I think I will just go to Chevrolet and pick up the proper filter. I also found that NAPA list a filter for the Allison. Oh Well!!

Thanks again

Denverdale

[DmaxMaverick]

Very interesting.

Well. Got me looking. I have some Wix tranny filters (part# 57701). Guess what? They appear exactly like the aftermarket Saturn filter (TF99) shown by JB. I've been using this filter for many thousands miles with no problem. When I first got them, I too was concerned with the location of the holes. I did some measuring, and determined the gap was more than twice the actual cross sectional area of the nipple. Meaning, although it appears there is a restriction, there is not. The filter has printed on it "Auto Transmission Filter".

I would offer a pic of the Wix filters I have, but JB's Saturn pic is a dead ringer. Better yet, check out This Link (http://www.wixfilters.com/filterlookup/PartDetail.asp?Part=57701) (Wix Allison filter) and This Link (http://www.wixfilters.com/filterlookup/PartDetail.asp?Part=57101) (Wix Saturn filter). These filter would probably fit interchangeably, but there are some considerable differences, like the bypass and gasket size. The micron ratings (15) are the same.

[denverdale]

On last update. When I took the TF99 filter back to Auto Zone today. They looked up the proper filter per their data base. The proper filter is the TF97. They had given me the wrong filter initially. I had already purchased the GM filter from my Chevy dealer so I did not try Auto Zone's filter.

Thanks for your input.

Denverdale