Atf
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,569
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From: League City, TX
Several reasons not to run it :
1. ATF (any flavor) is red in color. It also turns your fuel red. It would be hard to explain red fuel if you ever get dipped. The sample still has to go to the lab for testing for the chemical tracer that dyed fuel contains, but won't help with the intitial headache of the guys dipping your tank in the first place.
2. ATF also has friction modifiers in it meant for clutch paks in trannies, not in injection pumps with tight tolerances.
3. This kinda falls under "right tool for the right job". There are much better and cheaper additives to put in the tank designed for diesel engines.
And number 4. This is a quote from another forum. The guy that posted this works in the petrochem industry.
1. ATF (any flavor) is red in color. It also turns your fuel red. It would be hard to explain red fuel if you ever get dipped. The sample still has to go to the lab for testing for the chemical tracer that dyed fuel contains, but won't help with the intitial headache of the guys dipping your tank in the first place.
2. ATF also has friction modifiers in it meant for clutch paks in trannies, not in injection pumps with tight tolerances.
3. This kinda falls under "right tool for the right job". There are much better and cheaper additives to put in the tank designed for diesel engines.
And number 4. This is a quote from another forum. The guy that posted this works in the petrochem industry.
Originally Posted by Flash
How about we look at the chemistry that makes up the Ford ATFs. If you are using Mercon V for your additive, it is a generally 20w mineral fluid and sometimes is a PAO basestock with some diesters. Not bad so far. Now comes the additive package with 2200-2500 ppm's sulphur and 600-800 ppm's of zinc. I don't think I would want to purposely run that much sulphur thru my engine as it will end up as sulphuric acid in the oil. And that much zinc run thru the injectors has got to eventually cause some erosion. So, lets look at Fords Type F ATF. It is a 20w mineral fluid with 12,000-13,000 ppm's of phosphorus, 3500 ppm's zinc, and about 800 ppm's barium. I can't believe this wouldn't poison a diesel engine. The acid load on the oil has to be tremendous. I would suggest using an additive that is made to do the job if you are using an additive at all.
How about we look at the chemistry that makes up the Ford ATFs. If you are using Mercon V for your additive, it is a generally 20w mineral fluid and sometimes is a PAO basestock with some diesters. Not bad so far. Now comes the additive package with 2200-2500 ppm's sulphur and 600-800 ppm's of zinc. I don't think I would want to purposely run that much sulphur thru my engine as it will end up as sulphuric acid in the oil. And that much zinc run thru the injectors has got to eventually cause some erosion. So, lets look at Fords Type F ATF. It is a 20w mineral fluid with 12,000-13,000 ppm's of phosphorus, 3500 ppm's zinc, and about 800 ppm's barium. I can't believe this wouldn't poison a diesel engine. The acid load on the oil has to be tremendous. I would suggest using an additive that is made to do the job if you are using an additive at all.
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,510
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From: Belvidere, NJ
Originally Posted by jrs_dodge_diesel
1. ATF (any flavor) is red in color. It also turns your fuel red. It would be hard to explain red fuel if you ever get dipped. The sample still has to go to the lab for testing for the chemical tracer that dyed fuel contains, but won't help with the intitial headache of the guys dipping your tank in the first place.
Running the red fuel is considered tax evasion and thats not something you want to be caught doing.
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,569
Likes: 40
From: League City, TX
Originally Posted by Ironstone
Thanks.....doesnt sound like a good idea. What are some good injection cleaners? I'd like to hear what you guys are using.
Power Service Diesel Kleen, Stanadyne, Howe's are a couple that come to mind. I personally use Power Service when I can (really hard to find out here).
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