ATF as a fuel system purge?

While reading Elripster's post I got thinking, dangerous as that may be. I have seen how well ATF cleans carbon and various deposites on components and how well it rejuvinates seals and wondered if anyone has tried it as a diesel fuel purge. I wonder if running it in the system a minute or so and letting it sit there for a few hours then running it all out would have a good cleaning effect. Has anyone tried this or heard of it being done? I would rather not try this if it has been done to an ill end. Any opinions or information would be appreciated.

Rick

[longston]

There are a lot of mechanics and others who not only think this is good for your fuel system, there are even people who will fill up their fuel filter with it when they change filters.

For proper fuel additives, and the benefits there of, I would stick with: Stanadyne, which is the only diesel fuel additive actually made by a company that manufacures diesel fuel pumps and injection systems, Redline Diesel Fuel Catalyst/85+, or the Lubro Moly products. Redline and Lubro Moly are sold by PartsShop.

A few months ago, I did a lot on research on this subject, and here's a quote from: http://www.goa-northcoastoil.com/tips/atfchnges.html

"At elevated operating temperatures, ATF oxidizes, turns brown and takes on a smell like burnt toast. As heat destroys the fluid s lubricating qualities and friction characteristics, varnish begins to form on internal parts... YOW! I don't want to burn that stuff in MY engine!

That would be elevated temperatures as in when combusted...

Here's the whole thread is you really need to do some reading:

carbon build up

Thank you Scott. I appreciate you're your information, I will read it next. I must say that there are very few times I visit this site that I do not enjoy what I see as the beauty of it. What a treat to be able to gain so much information and knowledge from so many willing to share. Thank you again.

Rick

[rickjordan]

Once I was commenting to my mechanic on how well my engine ran and I asked if there was any real secret to keeping it that way, besides the obvious oil changes. He said good, clean, brand name diesel and every 4 or 5 tanks put in 1 quart of ATF in the fuel tank.

Donkey,

When you add it to every few tank fulls, how much do you add and do you notice any additional smoke as a result? Thanks for the information.

Rick

[longston]

If someone told you that taking vitamins and eating fresh cow poop would make you virile and masculine, would you just take the vitamins, or would you also eat the cow poop and swear by it as the answer? I think I'll take the vitamins, thanks...

Do your own research. Call diesel mechanics, diesel injector and fuel pump manufacturers and rebuilders, automatic transmission shops, AFT manufacturers, Redline, Stanadyne, and everyone else you can talk to. I did.

And all I can tell you is to repeat the quote from Coastal about what AFT does when it is burned. It ain't a beautiful thing. Donkey, the point I want you to understand is that you get good results from the Redline, NOT from the ATF.

Bottom line folks, if it ain't a fuel additive, it shouldn't be used as one, and if ATF were a great fuel additive, some marketing genius would have bottled it and sold it as such, but they haven't, and can't, because it isn't...

Oh, and coffee is an excellent breakfast beverage, wake up and smell it's delicious aroma...

[can-do]

Greetings All,

I think this post is one of many already listed here about this topic of adding tranny fluid to the fuel tank or filter for either cleaning the entire fuel system or injectors. As Scott mentioned tranny fluid does leave a formation of varnish when burned, I've seen those tranny inards before, but also wonder if burning it will have the same effect on the cylinder walls or injector tip, hence changing the spray pattern. Most trannies basically sit it the overheated fluid that allows the aluminum to soak in the properties that actually casue the varnish affect on the parts. Kind of wish that Redline and others promoting cetane improvers and injector cleaners to list what exactly goes into their bottles. If you have ever purchased the stuff, it kind of looks like it has grit in suspension to scrub the injector walls, but it doesn't quite smell like tranny fluid either. If anyone out there has the ingredients from their spies at Redline, let us know. For now, I'm not dumping tranny fluid into the tank unless there's good proof to do so. I've used a quart or so in my oil on the motor home to loosen up sticking valve lifter, and it worked fine but I wasn't driving with the stuff in the engine either.

Charles

[engatwork]

anyone want to use the ATF fluid when you can purchase a bottle of the Stanadyne for six dollars - and it is good for about 5 or 6 fill ups. I will stick with Stanadyne at every fill up.

[rickjordan]

I have heard of Red Line, but not Stanadyne. Where can you buy this? Is it like Lubro Moly diesel purge or is it a cetane booster?

To all,
I love reading S. Longston replys, but what's his car doing in a graveyard. I have driven MB diesels well over one million miles and have plaques on the wall in the lab from Daimler-Benz to prove it. I doubt if I have spent $15 on additives,and when I did I could not tell one bit of difference. In the winter if it was going to zero,I would add a gallon of kerosene(#1 diesel). Mercedes recommeds the use of Keresene as an antigel agent. No where in the owners manual does it say to use any additives,other than kerosene.
Read your owners manual under Diesel Fuels. While you are reading your owners manual, check the section on coolants. You may learn something about which coolants you can use in your Mercedes.
Bill Lewallen; Lexington,Ky.
Home of Valvoline Oil- Maker of MB orange antifreeze and Zerex, also orange. Could they be the same??

[longston]

I happen to notice a huge difference in the performance, amount of smoke, and fuel economy when I use Redline 85+ in my car. It makes a big difference. But do I detect that you agree that using ATF as anything other than ATF isn't a good idea? Hmmm?

Originally posted by Wm. Lewallen
I love reading S. Longston replys, but what's his car doing in a graveyard.

First, you need to add one of these critters after a question -?-. They call it a question mark...

And Bill, that field you see behind by car is what they call a vineyard. It's a place where folks grow grapes. And those particular grapes will become Chardonnay this fall...

Rick, Look in the phone book under diesel injector & pump services in your area. Stanadyne sells their products through local service shops. Or, call Phil at PartsShop and see if he can get it for you.

Here's a link to Stanadyne's website where they provide information on their diesel fuel additive products:

http://www.stanadyne.com/dsg/dsg_dfa.asp

[Edited by longston on 06-15-2001 at 12:27 AM]

[engatwork]

Diesel & Turbo at 1051 Guy Paine Rd. Macon, Ga. Lew is a really good guy and they are on my way to work.

[Elripster]

Originally posted by Wm. Lewallen
To all,
I doubt if I have spent $15 on additives,and when I did I could not tell one bit of difference.

I envy you. I don't know if it's the Ca diesel or what, but I put some STP addative in my tank for ****s and giggles, big time difference. (Improvement to be specific) I have a case of the 85+ on the way. I hope it works as well.

Frank.

Scott,
Sorry I missed the punctation mark. I know it's a grape vineyard, and I was only joking.
As for diesel additives, maybe $15 would cover the additives I have used over the past 34 years. The owners manual only mentions the use of kerosene as an additive in extreme cold weather. I have used this additive many times, and it works,and is a lot cheaper. If there was some magical additive that would protect and prolong the life of our engines, I,m sure they(MB) would let us know instead of letting some high pitched sales person fool us.
I still say we must read our owners manual and try to abide by it to make our cars last longer. And you must check the section on coolants. We can use any antifreeze we choose as long as it meets all requirments required by Mercedes. The last time I checked the other brands, they all met or exceeded MB requirements.
Read your manuals...
Bill Lewallen;Lexington,Ky.
Where diesels purr and turbos whirr....with no additives..

[longston]

I was too. But the use of the proper fuel additives, antifreeze, and motor oil in our cars isn't.

We all, as members here, have a greater responsibility than personal ego and an interest in being "right". That greater responsibility is to provide as unbiased of data as we can to those who will innocently come after us to these forums seeking answers. (Use the search feature...)

Regardless of what you may feel that the owner's manual may indicate to you, or anyone may interpret it as indicating, I firmly believe that Mercedes Antifreeze Anticorrosion Agent, Mercedes-Benz Part # Q 1 03 0002, is the finest cooling system additive made in the world today, and only Valvoline 5/150 may even come close to it. And the use of diesel fuel additives enhances the operation of our older diesel fueled Mercedes automobiles by providing added cetane improvers, better lubricity, enhanced system cleaners, and better overall performance. Mercedes doesn't officially endorse the use of ANY additives, but the local dealer carries Redline and suggests that owners of all Mercedes Diesels use it as a fuel additive because it works...

Remember, the manual was written with the guidance of German corporate lawyers over 20 years ago...

Folks, do your own research! Come to your own conclusions!

http://www.redlineoil.com

As for me, I use Mann, Mahle, Knecht, and Bosch filtration, Mobil 1 engine lubrication, Redline in the differential and the transmision, and a 1/3 bottle shot of Redline 85+ at every fuel fill-up. And when I replace the existing crappy radiator shortly, and refill the engine cooling system, I will be using Mercedes branded Antifreeze Anticorrosion Agent with a 60/40 mix of demineralized water.

And no one paid me to say that!