PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post - Why Put Transmission Fluid In Diesel Tank?

dmorrison · #15 12-08-2002, 11:49 PM

The old wives tale use to have you run a quart of tranny fluid in your fuel tank. I did this in the 220D we had. Mercedes did a test back in the 80's about this and quite a few other additives. The conclusion was that the tranny fluid really did not help the injectors or injector pump. In fact it did cause some injector problems.
What Mercedes did conclude was that Chevron Techron is the only additive that Mercedes recomends for injector/pump cleanning. However do not add to much. It does thin the oil slightly if you add a bottle to every tank of fuel.

The second problem you may have with the diesel is gelling. The 220D manual has a mix chart to cut your diesel with gas to help prevent this and make the #2 diesel a #1 diesel. Those in the northern latitudes will find #1 diesel were we southerners only find #2. I have never had a gel problem in 22 years of owning a Diesel. I have usually had the car below the Mason-Dixon line.

The last diesel problem is algae. The only solvent I know for this, which is approved by Mercedes is Diesel Doctor.

I have stopped the tranny fluid in the tank, actually stopped that when I sold the 220D in 1990. The cars since the 220D I have only used Techron ( 240D, 2-300TDs, 300SDL and the E300). I also use the Techron in the 560SL.
I asked a Chevron fueler about the concentration of techtron in the premium gas. The dosage is 1/2 of the bottle mixing instructions. I do not know if they put it in the diesel, but I have never seen Chevron diesel.

Dave