Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Ok to burn ATF?

[Nate]

I know it's agreed that oil engine oil is ok to burn with the diesel. How about ATF???

 

[Diesel Nut]

Why would you? If you need to clean your fuel system or add a fuel lubricant just use an additive instead of risking your engine with down home concoctions.

 

[steved]

Do a search, this has been covered several times...



I wouldn't because the newer fluids contain friction modifiers... that can reduce the amount of lubrication you already are being deprived of with the low sulfur diesel...



steved

 

[MPlunkett]

When I change my fuel filter, I prefill the cannister with a quart of ATF. Its easier than keeping diesel around. A retired Cummins mechanic showed me the trick, I was a little hesitant at first, but it is supposed to clen out the engine ..... My two cents

 

[WestTN]

I think that old tip came about because the ATF always looked cleaner than engine oil. The real reason for that fact was that there is no combustion in the automatic trans! Those additives aren't good for your injection pump.



Leave the ATF for the trans and use something made to go into your engine.

 

[Tinman]

I spoke to a guy the other day that used to run kerosene with ATF in his old 12V. He sold it with 300K+ without any problems. I don't know how much, how often, or in what amounts. I thought it was crazy. Then again, the 12V will run just anything.

 

[RustyJC]

When I change my fuel filter, I prefill the cannister with a quart of ATF. Its easier than keeping diesel around. A retired Cummins mechanic showed me the trick, I was a little hesitant at first, but it is supposed to clen out the engine ..... My two cents

My "old mechanic" father used to drain the oil out of an engine, fill it with Varsol (a solvent that's no longer available), start and run it for 1-2 minutes, drain the Varsol, remove and replace the old filter and fill the engine with fresh oil. I don't do that any more, either.



Forget the ATF - neither the base stock nor the additives are designed for consumption as fuel.



Rusty

 

[Nate]

Thanks for the info. I hadn't seen a thread about ATF on here, which is why I asked. I guess I didn't search for the right thing, because I didn't see any threads.



I'm going to use my old engine oil though. I was running 10oz of Power Service and 10oz of MMO with every tank. I'm going to replace the MMO with engine oil until I run out. Save a bit of money.



Oh, I got some 250 micron paint filters and that's what I filtered the oil though. I made sure the pan was real clean etc before, but I filtered just to make for sure. Looks like there were a few small pieces of steel I left in the pan, or that came out of the motor.



Interesting is that I only got just over 2 gallons and the oil level was good. Where did the other gallon go? 1 quart for the filter.