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automatic transmission fluid in diesel fuel

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zoidberg

10-18-2003 06:44:32

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Our local parts man insists that automatic transmission fluid mixed into the diesel fuel improves everything about the way a diesel engine runs. Has anyone else heard of this? what happens inside the motor that is so beneficial? I would be willing to try it but I am interested in a second, (and third and fourth and so on) opinion. thank you for your comments.

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grazer

10-23-2003 18:42:01

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Re: automatic transmission fluid in diesel fuel in reply to zoidberg, 10-18-2003 06:44:32

Has anyone put ATF in a Diesel engine five years old or less please e-mail me if you have and tell me how it worked

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Tom

10-19-2003 05:55:37

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Re: automatic transmission fluid in diesel fuel in reply to zoidberg, 10-18-2003 06:44:32

I use Shell Rotella DFA (Diesel Fuel Additive) in every drop of diesel that goes in the tractors. It lubs pump, removes water, cleans fuel lines, cleans injectors, prevents gelling, raises cetane rating of fuel, and all sorts of other "claimed" benefits. Lately, I have been buying it at WalMart. Recommends quart per 50 gallons of diesel.

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10-18-2003 21:56:57

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Re: automatic transmission fluid in diesel fuel in reply to zoidberg, 10-18-2003 06:44:32

I have been adding ATF to my tractors and diesel pickups for years. After reading some of the comments, I see most everyone uses it as a cleaner but I've always added it for the extra lubricity since they made diesel drier years back. The rotary pumps don't seem to stand up without some extra help.

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Ray,IN

10-18-2003 21:22:29

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Re: automatic transmission fluid in diesel fuel in reply to zoidberg, 10-18-2003 06:44:32

Everyone can't be wrong? ATF is not designed to burn. Next time your AT overheats and the oil turns brown, feel it, and then look at the insides of the AT. The sludge and varnish that covers everything is from only being overheated >250*F. Burn some ATF in a pan and observe the remaining residue. I'm not going to attempt to outengineer the chemists formulating fuel. Nearly all diesel engine mfgrs will void the warranty if aviation JP4 is used, and it IS designed to burn as fuel.

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michael/ms

10-18-2003 19:32:11

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Re: automatic transmission fluid in diesel fuel in reply to zoidberg, 10-18-2003 06:44:32

ive seen on this site people also saying that it is to replace the lack of lubrication on the top end that the older diesel fuel had from the higher sulfur content.and that new made diesel has additives in it like gasoline does. so the argument can be made pro and con (con being that you are wasting your money but no harm done).
BUT if it were ME and i wanted to ADD DETERGENT in my diesel i would add MARVEL oil. we KNOW it is chock full of detergent!THOUGH I have recently gone to a diesel injection repair
company and ask them what they SEE actually works and what brands CLAIM to work on carbon and they said "no question about it,Lucas is the only cleaner to use that does what it claims to do" so i did try it and i had ember ashes coming out of my exhaust after about an hour of running in the field so apparently it WAS really cutting the old carbon loose in my 1964 4000 ford diesel.just my two cents worth...michael/ms

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OC Joe

10-20-2003 14:03:43

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Re: Re: automatic transmission fluid in diesel fue in reply to michael/ms, 10-18-2003 19:32:11

Michael,
Which Lucas product did you use to work on carbon?

I looked on their web site and am not sure which
product to order.

TIA, Joe

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michael/ms

10-20-2003 19:57:26

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Re: Re: Re: automatic transmission fluid in diesel in reply to OC Joe , 10-20-2003 14:03:43

joe, the lucas product i used was a 5.25 oz bottle of the "injector cleaner" for diesel engines. i found it at a AUTOZONE... since then over the weekend i went to an auto parts store
called O'RIELLY's and seen the same thing on the shelf in a much much bigger bottle for multiple applications for the same price so i bought it..
i went in to see if they had slick 50 gear oil.
hope this helps. i went to the lucas iol website and saw it.. looks like it is case qty only from
mfg.
michael/ms seems there is more than one michael on the ytmag discussions so from now on i will be signing my posts as michael/ms

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Wally G.

10-18-2003 16:16:35

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Re: automatic transmission fluid in diesel fuel in reply to zoidberg, 10-18-2003 06:44:32

Well it looks like 9 to 1 in favor so I'll add my 2 cents. Yes it has been done for years and years and I never saw it damage any engine it was ever put in. Most engines ran much better after the ATF was put in and cleaned the fuel system up nice. Just pull an injector before you run it then after. you won't believe it! You can also put a quart of ATF in the crankcase of your vehicle about 100 miles before you change it and you won't believe how it cleans up the inside of the engine.

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JOHN (LA)

10-18-2003 13:04:21

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Re: automatic transmission fluid in diesel fuel in reply to zoidberg, 10-18-2003 06:44:32

Transmission fluid in diesel. Been years since I have used it since company pays for over the counter additive but yes it works well. Most diesel fuel does not contain brand additive like gas has (some does) so adding your own additive helps. Watch your mixture rate or it will smoke like he##. We use to mix one quart in each saddle tank of 125-150 gals. You can try a higher rate as it will start to smoke before you come close to mixing at a rate that will hurt engine preformance. Just remember to put oil in tank first then fuel so it will mix well from action of fuel being added.

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Jay

10-18-2003 11:01:06

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Re: automatic transmission fluid in diesel fuel in reply to zoidberg, 10-18-2003 06:44:32

If you are buying a quality fuel and/or gas, they are already additized with everything you need. The problem w/ supplemental additizing of these fuels is that you don't know how the chemicals in your additive will react with the additives in theirs. It might actually do more harm than good.

However, if you are a price shopper, chances are the fuel you are buying has no additives, and adding some can only help.

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RJ-AZ

10-18-2003 10:23:47

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Re: automatic transmission fluid in diesel fuel in reply to zoidberg, 10-18-2003 06:44:32

There are many brands of diesel fuel conditioner available out there. Many claim to clean injectors and remove carbon, and others are made to prevent gelling in below freezing operating conditions. Check the price on these against a quart of ATF!! Truckers would occasionaly add one quart per 50 gallon saddle tank for a cheap cleanup of the fuel systems. ATF is a high detergent type and does a pretty good job on an older high mileage unit. With the newer diesel fuel systems out there it is not as critical as before.

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tractorfix

10-19-2003 04:57:27

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Re: Re: automatic transmission fluid in diesel fue in reply to RJ-AZ, 10-18-2003 10:23:47

You want the thing to run? In the immortal words of Mad Max--" I need five gallons of diesel fuel and five gallons of high octane gasoline." Just be careful with the glow plugs!

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Larry806

10-18-2003 09:40:29

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Re: automatic transmission fluid in diesel fuel in reply to zoidberg, 10-18-2003 06:44:32

I was always told to use type F, something about what is in it is the best for cleaning injectors. On gas motors Dad used to put a pint of diesel to 10 gal of gas when working them hard

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Allan

10-18-2003 06:58:12

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Re: automatic transmission fluid in diesel fuel in reply to zoidberg, 10-18-2003 06:44:32

Hi,

Your parts man is right. This has been going on for years now, since way back in the fiftys; ask any over the road trucker.

Want to clean your injectors? Mix 1 quart of ATF to 20 gallons of fuel; within 15 minutes, you are a happy camper.

ATF is loaded with detergent additives, which seem to knock the carbon deposits off the tips.

Have a good one,

Allan

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Paul Janke

10-18-2003 06:52:23

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Re: automatic transmission fluid in diesel fuel in reply to zoidberg, 10-18-2003 06:44:32

I have heard for years that it is a good thing to do. I have not tried it, but keep thinking I will. I've heard it from many different sources. At worst, it should do no harm since it is fairly common to filter used oil and then dump it into the fuel tank (diluted).

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wdTom

10-18-2003 18:44:50

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Re: Re: automatic transmission fluid in diesel fue in reply to Paul Janke, 10-18-2003 06:52:23

But what about the cat converter?? I wouldn't want to put too much through that. Of course if you don't have to go through emissions, well dump it in. Maybe a lean mix of ATF wouldn't hurt one,does anyone know?

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Pete

10-18-2003 08:06:29

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Re: Re: automatic transmission fluid in diesel fue in reply to Paul Janke, 10-18-2003 06:52:23

Are there similar benefits to using it in a FI gas engine?
Pete

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JOHN (LA)

10-18-2003 13:14:43

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Re: Re: Re: automatic transmission fluid in diesel in reply to Pete, 10-18-2003 08:06:29

While you can reep the same benefit from using trans fluid in a gas motor you must be a lot more careful as it will foul the spark plugs.

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Allan

10-18-2003 08:31:40

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Re: Re: Re: automatic transmission fluid in diesel in reply to Pete, 10-18-2003 08:06:29

Hi Pete,

This is simply a 'common sense' way of getting around the cutsie little marketing strategies of the various vendors selling injector cleaners and fuel additives.

Using a mix of fuel/ATF will keep an engine running cleaner, from valves to injectors to combustion chambers.

The only drawback is in the mix ratio: Mixed too heavy, ATF will make an engine smoke like you've never seen before.

This doesn't hurt anything mechanically, but those following behind you will definitely not tailgate you. If you've ever watched a mosquito fogger in action, take this 'smoke effect' times ten. :>)

We�ve all seen these old cars running around with a leaky vacuum modulator. They are burning almost straight ATF on one cylinder.

Allan

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Steve from MO - yes

10-18-2003 08:10:29

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Re: Re: Re: automatic transmission fluid in diesel in reply to Pete, 10-18-2003 08:06:29

When I was on the farm, we put it in the gas tank fopr our farm truck to loosen up sticky valves.

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