ATF in fuel filter

[jodog]

I've been around diesels most my life. And some oldtimers told me to fill the new fuel filter with ATF at every change. And I have done this for as long as I can remember. Any of you guys do this?



P. S. It's suppose to clean the injectors.

 

[illflem]

Bad idea. It's just as you said, an old-timer's way of treating fuel that is a leftover from the days when ATF was just oil, no additives and treatments made especially for diesel fuel weren't available. Modern ATF is designed NOT to burn and will leave damaging ash deposits in your engine. Use fuel treatments designed for diesel per the manufacturer's directions.

 

[R.E. Miller]

Just don't do it! New fuel systems can be damaged beyond repair with that old act. Figure this, while at Cummins Power Systems for the show one of their mechanics said that a local train yard was going thru one injection pump a month. Why? When they serviced the engines, to prevent airlocking the fuel system, they poured the oil out of the old oil filter into the new fuel filter and fired it up Not the same thing but quite similar!

Russell

 

[JohnE]

Adding ATF is the oldest trick in the book to try justify red fuel in <em>on road</em> vehicles.

<blockquote><em>&quot;Honest Mr Highway Patrol, the red coloring is from using ATF, I always buy road tax fuel. &quot;</em></blockquote>



A number of diesel fuel additives on the market are highly rated for cleaning injectors. I really like the Cummins labeled cleaner best of all the products I've tried, but cannot justify the cost. Meaner Power Kleaner by Howes works very well, too.



Forgot to add:

Good point on the filter fill Russell. NEVER fill the filter with fuel. Any amount of dirt will harm the injector pump. Better to use the primer button or let the electric lift pump prime the system.



-John