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Atf???

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Old Sep 13, 2006 | 10:41 PM
  #1  
Cummins Freak's Avatar
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From: Williston, ND
Atf???

what would running ATF through my fuel system do to it or the motor??? i have heard that it will lube everything up and clean it our really well. how about the effects on my dads 01 CTD??? also what style ATF to run dex IV, +4, ATF which one?
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Old Sep 13, 2006 | 11:02 PM
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From: Calgary, Alberta
They used to do this in the old days, and apparently it worked just fine. But in these modern times, ATF now contains additives to prevent it from burning, and it will form deposits on the injector tips and basically make a mess instead of solving one.
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Old Sep 14, 2006 | 11:15 AM
  #3  
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Don't do it. There are many designed for diesel fuel additives that do a much better job without problems and cost less.
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Old Sep 15, 2006 | 02:07 AM
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From: League City, TX
Several reasons not to run ATF :

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.
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Old Sep 15, 2006 | 02:18 PM
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From: Pattonville, Texas
Exactly!
- that's why you shouldn't run used refrigerant oil in your Cummins.
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Old Sep 17, 2006 | 01:16 AM
  #6  
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From: Williston, ND
ok i really didn't plan on running any just a question because the dealer told my uncle to do this in his 01, 24v and it cleared up all the power and milage problems he was having. I told him to just runs howes or something like it but with him the dealer is always right. just wanted to see what you guys thought and it was that i was right thanks
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Old Sep 17, 2006 | 06:17 AM
  #7  
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From: League City, TX
Originally Posted by Cummins Freak
ok i really didn't plan on running any just a question because the dealer told my uncle to do this in his 01, 24v and it cleared up all the power and milage problems he was having. I told him to just runs howes or something like it but with him the dealer is always right. just wanted to see what you guys thought and it was that i was right thanks
That dealer sounds like he is very much misinformed .

You may want to show your uncle the post I put up above.
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Old Sep 17, 2006 | 11:56 AM
  #8  
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From: Williston, ND
thanks i will
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Old Sep 27, 2006 | 11:07 PM
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From: Augusta,Maine
Atf?

I DONO? as I*M No expert but I am a Retired Long Haul Trucker & I have used AFT a Quart to 150 gallons in each tank for many years! I have Two Cummins & a CAT powered Rigs--both Cummins have over 500,000 miles on them & the CAT 750,000 w/ No ill effects! all three w/the same Pumps & injectors I Do take Oil samples every Fall & send them to a lAB sponcered by GM as they Check for several contaminates?--Metal--foreign matter? so far so Good! I prefer SHELL AFT--Dono? the Chemical make Up?? & Don*t really CARE! as AFT has done a Good Job for ME! all my rigs have been Tweeked! & Tuned & Dynoed as I have a local Diesel machanic that done all my service work for many years! as most of His customers just Drop Off their Rigs & He dose what ever? to Them! & many liitle things! as He catches most problems before they become Big Ones! & theres NOT many Diesel Shops that Take that Kind of PRIDE in their WORK! & here locally once your a regular Customer--HE installs a Chrome Flying PIG as a Hood Orniment--as Hes trade mark! so if? YOU see a Big Rig w/ a flying PIG as a Hood orniment Its One of His!--Customers!!--& He has told US to add SHELL AFT to our Fuel--I Dono? about any other Brands?---as its been a while since I retired & all AFT is Colored--I Dono? on this NEW OFF road On road thing? w/ sticking Fuel tanks! as I*D hate to try & convince the LAW it was AFT & NOT off road fuel in there? so I guess? I would STOP using it! if it were ME! but it Did do a Great Job years Ago!--Ole JIM--
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Old Sep 28, 2006 | 07:18 PM
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From: Montana
Jim, your key words are "years ago". Engines before '94 could get away with ATF but the modern engines with tighter tolerances don't like it.
Besides that a fuel additive designed for diesel will do a better job and is cheaper to boot.

When folks ask me if they should put ATF in their fuel I ask them if they should put diesel fuel in their tranny.
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Old Sep 28, 2006 | 08:27 PM
  #11  
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From: Pattonville, Texas
Originally Posted by infidel
When folks ask me if they should put ATF in their fuel I ask them if they should put diesel fuel in their tranny.
That's BAD???

uh-oh....
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Old Oct 5, 2006 | 01:37 PM
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From: Texas/Oklahoma Border
Originally Posted by Ole JIM
I DONO? as I*M No expert but I am a Retired Long Haul Trucker & I have used AFT a Quart to 150 gallons in each tank for many years! Ole JIM--
At a 600:1 mix ratio, you probable could not hurt anything! But ATF is the worst oil based product you could use... for reasons mentioned above!

If anything use 2-cycle oil. It's formulated to be burned.
But, as Bill mentioned, why pay more when Stanadyne and others make a product designed to do what you want?

RJ
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