I went to my wife's family reunion last week, and several of her cousins are diesel mechanics. Two work in performance shops that specialize in Cummins diesels (mostly Dodge 3500 series pickups). One was running used ATF filtered through 2 micron filters. They re-do the transmissions so he has a steady supply of free used ATF. He filters it and runs it straight down to 0 degrees F, and mixes it with 30% diesel below that (he is in Denver, CO). He got about 18mpg running 90mph average between Denver and Dallas last weekend. Anybody here have any experience with that. I may be getting my old '83 240D back here soon (my gas-burning 230 died a death to rust last week and the guy I sold the 240D to will no longer need it after he replaces the timing chain in his 300E). I thought that ATF would work great in the mild Memphis, TN climate, and I'm pretty sure I can hit up a few local shops to pick the used fluid up.

Hmmm..... Isn't ATF formulated to resist high temperatures? I'd worry about deposits long term. I've added it to my nearly empty tank once as an emergency fuel extender. The few hundred bucks a year one might save when mixing it with 30 percent diesel doesn't seem worth it, given the time expendature and potential for unburnt ATF leaving deposits, etc.

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'78 300D 310K Maple Yellow / Bamboo
'87 300D 81K Barolo Red / Safron (RIP @ 113K)
2003 E320 34K Pewter/Charcoal
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When I can get it.
Runs great, 23 mpg at 70 mph.
Sad that I don't have a steady supply.
Replaced the defective new glow plugs after the last tank of ATF, no depositing.
Next time I will run a bore scope into the cylinders.

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I sold my old 82 SD to a buddy who owns a tranny shop and has gallons of used ATF.

How do you filter it, what percentage do you burn and does the car smoke or stink differently than regular diesel.

Verrryyy interesting indeed!!

If I can set him up to filter and store it, I can get the free fuel too.

PO of my 240D said to use ATF as a "diesel purge" treatment every thousand miles or so.
He also warned me not to beat the engine too hard when it had ATF mixed in with the fuel.

Its a 240D, its impossible NOT to beat the engine too hard...

I figured that he was only 50% clued in, but have yet to run ATF myself (I just buy power service's stuff...)

-John

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