atf for cleaning out diesel engines

I"ve heard that to clean out a diesel engine, add a quart or two of automatic transmission fluid to a full tank of diesel fuel and then run the engine. Any thoughts or experiences with this?

I used to fill the fuel filters with ATF when replacing them on our old cummins engines. That was back when they were mechanical fuel injection pumps and injectors. I wouldn't try it on a modern engine with electronic controls and emissions equip. It worked really well except for a little smoke on startup. If you think about it,ATF is a very high quality oil with a lot of detergent in it. Jf

Aft has no magic qualities.a fellow who worked blending it said its a 20 weight oil,red dye and conditioners for the seals.

Does a diesel engine require "cleaning out"?I don't know where the old "spring tonic" laxative purge idea came from.
If the diesel is operated at rated temps and has clean oil/filters. The engine is "clean".

When I was in service (Las Vegas Nev) in 55 I had a friend Who was a marvelious Guitar player and one fantastic Mechanic, He had a 1947 Ford convertable(Cherry) And he took me to town to meet another Friend of his from Hutchunson Kansas,who ran a mechanic shop. The guy took a compression reading on my 1953 chevrolet and the readings were quite different on each cylinder. My chev was of excellant running condition and he asked me if I would mind if he put a product in the cylinders, and kept the car overnight.
He put SYLOO in each cylinder screwed back (LOOSE) the plugs. Next day went to see what was what, Well it showed 110 psi and better on each of the cylinders, after he removed the plugs. What a bunch of carbon came out. Never ran so good since new. Told me that Syloo was 100/o Detergent used to clean Swiss watch movement. Removes all traces of grease, carbon,etc. I did an Oil change right away after idling a short time.
I bought a gallon for use here and it's quite pricey ,but does the trick. Wouldn't know about using it in tractor ,but would inquire about it. Maybe some has used Syloo in theirs.Just a thought. Reguards LOU.

I have heard everything you can imagine like that. used motor oil, atf, lucas, truck stop shelves are full of snake oil. I only occasionally add Power Services additive to think I am keeping the injectors clean...in reality probably wizzing my money down the drain.

at work, we had a customer use that in his tractor, the injection pump had to be pulled and sent to the diesel shop as a result. do not put atf in the fuel of your tractor.

ATF won"t clean out your engine, but a little bit in a tank of diesel helps to lubricate the fuel system, since modern diesel doesn"t lubricate very well.

We did the same back in the 70's and early 80's.
the Cummins an 60 series detroits didn't mind a bit.
Tim in OR

ATF used to have whale oil in its make up. Don't know it that is true now or ever was. Might make a difference. Comments please. Dave

I don't know if whale oil was ever used in ATF, but it certainly isn't today. It's been illegal to import into the US for forty years, and if you can obtain any today it would be fantastically expensive.

Back in the 50 and 60's engines used to build up carbon. I know on older aircraft engines they would pour oil or atf through the carb. and shut down the engine. Start it back up and pour in some water after the engine warmed up and it would blow out the carbon.