Is a Little ATF ok to Use?

[hotram03]

My brother told me to use alittle ATF in the tank every now and then, even said alittle in every tank along with my regular conditioner. Is this ok to use? I have tried ity for 2 tanks and it does seem to run better with the ATF and Seafoam mixed than just Seafoam alone.

 

[keimmmo]

Some on the site will scream that you should NEVER use ATF in the fuel. It used to be common practice to clean the injectors on all diesels, but is now considered "old school" technology. I have used it for years in both my trucks and see no problem and it does seem to help clean the injectors.



Steve Keim

 

[diesel0904]

i also agree i have been using a little for the last year or so and have had no problem.

my freind at a dodge dealer told me that works and it will not hurt anything.

 

[AlK]

I wouldn't use it as a fuel additive in my truck. ATF is not designed to be burned. It may very well clean the injectors, but it may also cause other problems. As an additive I use stanadyne. I know there are some guys using ATF and are not having any problems - and that is great.

 

[BHiggins]

I've been doing it for years, the detergent properties of the ATF do clean injectors (and to some degree the pump itself, at least that's what I've been told by my local diesel injection guy). I use a quart per tank about once or twice a year and it does seem to help. Just keep in mind that ATF won't prevent gelling or remove moisture.

 

[DKasper]

I won't scream, but I will say that ATF is meant for transmissions, not engines. There will always be someone who has used something or done something for years and has never had a problem -- that doesn't mean that what they are doing is good for them or the vehicle.



Chemically, ATF does have some detergent/cleaning properties -- yes it will help clean stuff-- but it also is designed as a hydraulic fluid. That means that it also has friction characteristics that are NOT engineered for use in our injector pumps. Comet cleanser will clean lots of stuff very well, but I don't want to use it on my shotgun. When considering additives, it is important to take into account all the properties it has. For ATF, lubricating a close tolerance part like an injector pump is not on the list.



As far as the guy at the Dodge dealer saying "it won't hurt anything", I would question his experience with diesels. Engineers who are way smarter than me have spent a lot of time, effort & money designing injector cleaners for our application -- why not use them instead? Granted, the urge to find a "backyard" fix is strong in most of us who like to work on stuff ourselves, but this is one case where I would go with the product designed for the application.



Cheers

 

[VHolloway]

use type F ATF FLUID check out what F is type f transmission fluid

good stuff

 

[radcam]

ATF is red

I have heard both sides of the ATF arguments for a while now, and actually ran some in more truck for a couple of tanks Then I started hearing about the DOT dipping tanks looking for off-road fuel, and hearing what the fines are for running off-road fuel I decided that I didn't want to take any chances that the atf in the tank could be mistaken for dyed fuel.



Cam

 

[bgilbert]

Well said DKasper. I agree. No atf for me. That said, use at your own risk.