Transmission Fluid as additive??

[rodegard]

It has been recomended by a diesel mechanic to add one qt transmission fluid per tank as I understand, it to combat any sulphur problems and long term engine life. This I have not done but wondering if he is correct. Has anyone tried this and what would be the long range effect? I drive a 2005 CTD Laramie 4x4.

 

[macdaddy]

It has been recomended by a diesel mechanic to add one qt transmission fluid per tank as I understand, it to combat any sulphur problems and long term engine life. This I have not done but wondering if he is correct. Has anyone tried this and what would be the long range effect? I drive a 2005 CTD Laramie 4x4.

Absolutely NOT needed, I don't understand where this idea is coming from?????? .



Heard it all before you need to call cummins tech line, all 3rd gens are made to run the stuff (15PPM).



Doing so will load up your cat if it's still on.



Mac

 

[GaryCarter]

Find another mechanic. Honestly.



Gary

 

[FourBarR]

Atf is not meant to be burned. if you want to add something use an approved one like howes etc . I use howes and Marvels mystery oil. my . 02

 

[TowPro]

Back in the 80's, they lowered sulphur in the fuel, some diesels started seeing pump wear. They said "removing the sulphur is causing wear, so sulphur must be a lubricant". then they started adding auto trans fluid to the tanks of there VW's only to find out it was causing scuffs in the pumps. Seems Auto Trans fluid has friction modifiers that can cause scratches in vw pumps. then they discovered that the original problem was not caused by lower sulphur, but the process they used to remove the sulphur also removed some of the lubrication properties of the fuel.



Well that is how my ex girlfriends father who was a chemest for Sunoco explained it to me.



I am not worried about it. Low Sulphur fuel has been in Europe for a while now. they have some pretty nice diesel systems over there that are running just fine on LSD.

 

[JFranklin]

yes but what about the ultra low sulphur? anyone know long term affects of this fuel?

 

[RobertP]

yes but what about the ultra low sulphur? anyone know long term affects of this fuel?

that seems to be the question of the year :-laf

 

[keimmmo]

I have added ATF to my fuel for years with no observed ill effects. This I HAVE observed... those who run it praise it for cleaning the injectors and improving the performance. Those who don't say it is bad for the motor and you should not use it. MOST of their information is based on what they have heard or read, not personal experience.



I would not be concerned about it harming the motor. I keep hearing how the friction modifiers are a problem, but the factory uses ATF to lubricate transmissions and transfer cases with no problems. I am convinced it will be fine there. The cat could be a different matter. Although I have no personal experience there, I CAN see how it could plug the converter.



Steve Keim

 

[jjdiesel]

old school

That is like really old, old school. Diesel engines have come so far since that type of advice has been around its not even funny. Cummins has known that low, excuse me,ultra-low sulphur diesel fuel has been coming for years. These engines (post 98. 5) have been engineered with long-term effects considered and we still have a medium heavy-duty engine in our rigs... good for at least a published 'average life to overhaul of 350,000 miles. Add a fuel conditioner if you must... but definitely stay away from the transmission fluid additive, that advice is w a y outdated.

 

[redram]

Back in the 80's, they lowered sulphur in the fuel, some diesels started seeing pump wear. They said "removing the sulphur is causing wear, so sulphur must be a lubricant".

Sulfur was one of the very first lubricants employed by humans - it has been used as a friction reducer for 2000 years! Oo.

 

[redram]

I have added ATF to my fuel for years with no observed ill effects. This I HAVE observed... those who run it praise it for cleaning the injectors and improving the performance. Those who don't say it is bad for the motor and you should not use it. MOST of their information is based on what they have heard or read, not personal experience.



I would not be concerned about it harming the motor. I keep hearing how the friction modifiers are a problem, but the factory uses ATF to lubricate transmissions and transfer cases with no problems. I am convinced it will be fine there. The cat could be a different matter. Although I have no personal experience there, I CAN see how it could plug the converter.



Steve Keim

Steve,



The additives used to formulate an atf can leave hard ash deposits when burned and so would not be a recommended 'addition' to the fuel for this reason. Same for four cycle engine oil - the dispersant / detergent package and anti-wear additives in the engine oil also leave hard ash deposits when burned. This is the white granular deposits typically found on exhaust valves of engines found during a disassembly.

Yes - you've not had any observed negatives but have you removed and checked your injectors and combustion chamber deposits relative to someone who has not used an atf?

These deposits can lead to hot spots (pre-ignition) and incomplete spray patterns of the injectors if the deposits foul the pintols of the injector nozzles.