Longston,
I believe I have been quite objective in my analysis on this subject. I will not say that I have done as a complete job as you have done, because that would not be the truth.


"I don't consider the advice of the experts I spoke to in diesel mechanics, diesel injection systems, fuels, and transmission fluids to be speculation. To do so is to disregard their education, experience and abilities. And to call into question the thoroughness of my research, as well as my veracity."

Ask your EXPERTS (very strong characterization) if they have EVER worked on an engine that has had problems related to ATF usage? This is ESSENTIAL in saying that they KNOW ATF damages the engines longevity, fuel performance, etc. This seperates their comments from SPECULATION to FACT. I don't think this says they are not educated... the most educated person will admit they don't know it all. Many people proceed on GUT FEELING (based upon other info.), which is also speculation. It does say they MAY have not experienced ATF as a fuel additive.

"I don't feel that you are really being objective in arriving at your conclusions. It seems that you want to
believe that ATF is good for your engine and fuel system, despite hard evidence to the contrary. That's fine....But I am entitled to believe that your logic is seriously flawed."

"I feel a responsibility to do unbiased research, and obtain accurate data before I post my comments on any subject on this forum."

Well I don't feel you are being objective. For being someone who has done such a complete job of researching the subject it is amazing you have not mentioned one success story!! One war story of someone actually using it and having good results (or even no results). It seems you only seek out those who agree with your opinion. This is inherently biased. That is fine too. Because you are a great source of the others sides arguements, although not objective. I don't claim to have done quality research, and hopefully never claimed to. Perhaps I should keep my mouth shut "before I post my comments on any subject on this forum" But it is funny that the first service mgr. I called said he used it too for a number of years and not one of your sources have ever used it and all swear against it.

Given that, your comments and research have given me enough reason to question the accuracy of those war stories I was told. I will call Redline (they are based near my home town) and talk chemistry and fluid mechanics with them with regard to ATF and their products. I will also try to call the MB technical support line and see why they have never authorized owners to use additives in their fuels. Once I get this information... maybe I will have a better understanding of this subject.

Hopefully the war stories I and others have told will prompt you to second guess your "experts" and understand why these cars continue to run given their current reasoning.

From an objective standpoint, it is easy for us to say I am right because of XYZ vs. understanding and proving the others opinions or conclusions as being wrong.

I stand by my comments and thank everyone for the "debate". This will be my last post to this thread... although other threads may pop up debating the same thing. Thanks for passing on your sources on the topic Longston, I will read it over this weekend. Only time will tell who is right and who is wrong...

SB


When Socrates was about to die, Aristotle asked him what is the most important thing that you have learned during this lifetime. Socrates replied, "I know that I don't know."