I have worked for an oil testing lab for quite a while. Lately, we have noticed a trend, specifically in John Deere transmissions, that reveal the presence of glycol. Oddly, however, the samples do not exhibit the typical traits of an anti-freeze presence.
The samples are tested using the toluene/test tube method, not infrared or some other method which may reveal 'false positives'. Most often, the test is triggered by the presence of what appears to be condensate level water in the oil with no presence of Na or K or any other elemental remnant of anti-freeze. Yet, an extremely high number of these samples are showing a positive result.
Does anyone know if either JD fluids or some compound used in the assembly of the transmissions contains a variant of glycol, i.e., glycol co-polymers, glycol ethers, etc.? Anything that might explain the unusual number of positives occurring on these otherwise normal looking oil samples?
Thanks!

Mr. Oil Man,
We have noticed a major increase in glycol levels on Allison transmissions. After doing some research, I found out that the transmission coolers where failing due to a manufacturing defect, and most of them were recalled. We also do a lot of coolant testing. We have seen a major increase in electrical ground problems on a number of John Deere's. It causes the NO2(nitrite) to convert to NO3(nitrate), and drop the pH. This will increase the rate of corrosions in the cooling system by up to 300%. I don't know if that helps you or not, but let me know.

Spigot1999