I will be taking my Breakaway in for MD3060 transmission overhaul. While going thru fluid changes I noticed the trans fluid was very dark, this change in fluid color was just in the last few thousand miles.

Since I have owned it, it had always had a slow shift from 3rd to 4th. Had it looked at many times but it seemed never to get worse, but IMO it was not right. My last trip to the High Sierras, shifting irregularities started and repeated often.

I have no complaints as I am at 306,000 miles. BUT the trans should have gone more than 500,000. The problem is that it was never maintained properly prior to my purchase. When I got it and made the first oil and filter change the filter date code was 1993. I also could tell that it had never been serviced correctly as the drain bolt had never been opened. At 70k miles when I got it, oil should have been changed 3 times.

It probably would have failed earlier if I hadn't changed oil to full synthetic.

It will be expensive repair, there are 14 upgrades that need to be done during the overhaul. My serial number indicates it is 8004 unit made, very early in the MD3060 production. It is also the WTECII so the software needs upgrading.

Will take about 2 weeks from start (ordering parts) to finish.

Are you going to do the work yourself?

I decided not to try to do anything, I was going to remove and replace after the shop completed the overhaul but not now!

A few years ago I removed the MD3060 to replace a VERY leaky engine rear main seal, that was a big heavy job, trans weighs about 850 lbs. Shop is 30 miles away just going to take it there and let them do it all, Just $$$$

Ed, I bet the $ is not your problem, you just hate letting someone else doing work you know you can do yourself. After years I have started to let a shop work on my cars. Found a good mechanic I trust. My back thanks me. Hey it is only money and you can't take it with you. Go enjoy your time while it is in the shop.

After spending the last 2 months working on bringing two cars and one motorhome back to life, I've come to the same conclusion. My 82 year old body just can't take it any more. Plus, when the doctors say they'll have to put you under the knife if you're not more careful, that gets one's attention. Sort of feeds in to the topic of "The aging Barthmobiler".
Jim

I am all set to take the Breakaway to the shop early tomorrow morning for transmission overhaul. There will be 14 upgrades done, friction material will be changed,input hub changed, software upgrade and more.

Will probably take 7-10 days to complete. Probably will outlast me!

Generator upgrade from propane to Quiet Diesel will be next.