ATF every other fill up????

[TORQUE THIS]

My grandfather has a 12 valve. He is a diesel mechanic, has been all his life, he adds a quart of ATF fluid every other fill up to the fuel? Is this OK to do to the 24 valve?



He has the first model year with the cummins, 200 thousand miles and never had to replace anything. Towing a 35' 5er also.

 

[JKloppe]

NO NO NO- that's an old school mith. It is very hard on the vp44

 

[chuck3]

Owners manual says no addatives are needed, but I do use power service every fillup, just for piece of mind.

 

[HBarlow]

A guy I corresponded with on another discussion list has owned Mercedes Benz diesel engines for many years. He gave me the same advice plus also suggested installing a second in line fuel filter. I called the Cummins tech line and asked about both. The Cummins tech advisor said NO to both. He explained that ATF contains friction modifiers which have a slightly abrasive quality. He said using it as an additive will likely eventually cause problems with the fuel injector pump and injectors. As to an additional fuel filter, the Cummins spokesman said don't do it. He said an additional filter may reduce fuel flow and if it does it will cause a power loss. I am only repeating what I was told. I have no experience with either practice. As a new CTD owner I didn't want to follow advice and regret it later.

 

[Okie-Go]

Use the Power Service and don't worry about it. A while back Marvel Mystery oil was also talked about. They also have a reddish tint to them as like the off-road diesel. No atf for me, thanks.

 

[B.G. Smith]

The transmission has a pump and a bunch of planetary gears, wonder how it runs in that stuff?? bg

 

[Bigsaint]

A pre filter for the lift pump won't hurt anything if you A) choose one that has the proper flow rate/capacity and B) clean the pre filter when needed.



While I don't know if the Carter vaned type pumps would benefit from a pre filter, it wouldn't hurt. I am of the opinion that it's a good idea if you choose a gerator pump as your lift pump, from past experiences with the Mallory. I'm about to remove my Earl's pre filter for an inspection, cleaning real soon, should be interesting to see if there is any debris.



Scott W.

 

[HBarlow]

ATF at every other fill up????

B. G. Smith:



Good question and I don't know the answer. I think the friction modifier helps the torque convertor perform it's lockup function avoiding slippage but was carefully created so as to avoid damage to the other components. My guess is the friction modifier ingredient is an extremely fine abrasive but the tolerances of the Cummins injection fuel pump and injectors are very tight. Of course this discussion relies upon the knowledge and accuracy of the Cummins tech assist line advisor's comments. I'm sure as heck not an automotive or lubricants engineer.

 

[BV]

ATF in the tank

Why the heck would you want to put an abrasive fluid that is designed not to burn into an already sensitive fuel system? Yes the old mechanical pumps could handle it better and the older fluids burned easier and had less friction modifiers.



Do your pump a favor and add a good diesel lubricant or nothing at all.