ATF in fuel filter

[nhwrench01]

From what I've found, synthetic's burn "harder" than non. But in small amounts, its ok.
i have run straight waste ATF in my 2nd tank "rear" for years . Straight, not cut with anything and its fine, as long as the engine is hot, and its not cold outside,/.. flow problems. at 30-40 deg...
lots of good people here, some with tons of info, and more knowledge than me on this, but ATF has a high content of detergent in it and "could" help clean the fuel system.
I run it because ... 1 . I get it for free. 2 , I filter it cheaply.. 3, I think it cleans the fuel system as i drive. 4. I have driven over 10,000 miles ( in the summer, warm weather) so far and no problems from running aft...
If your just looking for a "cleaning" of the fuel system, and have 1 tank, maybe pour in 1 quart of atf at every fill up....
hope this helps ..

 

[chris142]

Atf does NOT contain any detergents. That is a wives tail that goes way back. It is a hydraulic fluid with addatives to help clutches work. No idea how it helps an injection pump work better.

 

[264WSM]

I think the additives are there for the heat issues of an automatic. Most hydraulic systems don't run that hot. You are correct = it is 10w or 15w hydraulic oil with an additives package.

 

[Lonewolf182]

Has anyone tried doing this with Marvel Mystery Oil?

 

[Oldfrogdiving]

Ok my neighbor told me about this, I put half qt of ,ATF and diesel clean in my tank at every other fill up, my IDI runs well but every once in awhile when i start it or come off the throttle at stop light it chugs a bit, then tap pedal it goes away been doing this since i have owned it. Once I get my PSD up and running im gonna try this.

On a similar subject last year I experimented with filtered WMO in the front tank 15 gals of WMO 1 gal of gas a little ATF and diesel clean then filled up with diesel probably like 3 gals. new oil and fuel filters. Started on the rear tank straight diesel, switched over to the front tank after warmed up no noticeable difference not even much smoke but it did smell a bit like burn oil, I ran that tank down to 1/4 it would even start on this concoction I ran 3 tanks of this (to use up all my oil I had been collecting), then went back to diesel. I just wanted to see if things go south the girl would run on WMO. I checked the fuel filter after about 1200 miles just cause I was curious, it was definitely filtering dark and ugly looking. I DONT suggest doing this unless you have back up transport. But its good to know just in case. I have done similar things with an old mercedes 4 banger.

 

[lotzagoodstuff]

Atf does NOT contain any detergents. That is a wives tail that goes way back. It is a hydraulic fluid with addatives to help clutches work. No idea how it helps an injection pump work better.

In my opinion, the added viscosity and lubricity are what makes this trick work. The injectors are hydraulically "fired" and they should go off a little higher with ATF versus ULSD as the slightly higher viscosity helps at the pump and the injectors. Your injector pump loves a dose of ATF as it's far closer to hydraulic oil than any diesel fuel. Think about it: your injector pump is really a hydraulic pump, and nobody in their right mind would use diesel fuel as hydraulic oil. It only got worse when they went to ULSD as even more lubricity was removed. Diesel fuel is not ever a good hydraulic fluid, which is why all the newer injection technology went to oil over fuel at the injectors. Motor oil is a much better hydraulic fluid than diesel, which is why you'll see HPOPs typically lasting much longer than IDI injector pumps. I think even with additives every fuel fill up, the old adage of your IDI fuel system lasting 100K miles is a myth thanks to the advent of ULSD. IMHO, if you aren't using some type of additive on every fill up on an IDI, you should expect your injector pump to wear out significantly faster.

 

[Dustys8469]

Fill a new filter with atf and install. Any type will do it. I used the left overs from filling my transfer case. Start the truck and let run until you hear a difference in the engine and then shut it off. Let sit over night or a solid 24 or so hours. Take it out for a spin and drive it hard for a little while.

My engine smoothed out quit a bit after doing it.

Hi Sir, I realize this is an old post but I’m new to the game and not much of a mechanic. I’m having trouble getting my new to me 84 f259 6.9 idi.
Anyway, if I try this ATF trick, will the ATF get to the injector pump if the truck is just cranking but not starting? Please let me know. Like I mentioned, I’m quite the newbie.

 

[Old Goat]

Welcome to the Forum.

Yes, the IP will be rotating as the Starter Motor is turning
the Engine, and will be Injecting Fuel into the Cylinders.
The IP is Gear driven off the Cam and Crank Gears.


Goat

 

[HS108]

Hi Sir, I realize this is an old post but I’m new to the game and not much of a mechanic. I’m having trouble getting my new to me 84 f259 6.9 idi.
Anyway, if I try this ATF trick, will the ATF get to the injector pump if the truck is just cranking but not starting? Please let me know. Like I mentioned, I’m quite the newbie.

When you are cranking are you getting any smoke from the tail pipe?

If you are seeing smoke, means some diesel is getting to the motor it’s just not hot enough to combust, could be a glow plug issue. Just throwing out ideas here, not sure of your specific problems

 

[nhwrench01]

Welcome to this great Forum. you will find lots of good people here with lots of good info..
if you could let us know what the issue is, what is or is not happening, and what you have tried, we could help better and maybe save you time and money.
the ATF trick will work to help clean the pump and injectors. but the truck has to be in running condition first.
so, run the engine till its hot (or warm) remove the fuel filter, dump it out into a clean container, fill the filter with new atf, ( any type will do), put ti back on the truck, start the truck and let it run untill it starts to cough, run rough and maybe smoke alittle,,, then shut it off .
let it sit over night or even a day is good. then start it, warm it up and run it , realy getting into it at times will help clean things out too...
i have done this on my old (93) idi .. and when my 86 is on the road, ill do it also to that truck..

 

[Dustys8469]

When you are cranking are you getting any smoke from the tail pipe?

If you are seeing smoke, means some diesel is getting to the motor it’s just not hot enough to combust, could be a glow plug issue. Just throwing out ideas here, not sure of your specific problems

Hi, sorry I’m just getting back to you, I’m not very savvy with this yet. Anyway, so I am not getting smoke at the tailpipe. I cracked some of the injector lines and although fuel is getting to the new filter, it is not getting to the injectors when I crank it. Side note, I replaced all of the pvc return lines, o rings and T’s and when I cracked the injector closest to the passenger seat and cranked over I had fuel shooting out of that return line that I accidentally left detached.
Also, not sure if this is a helpful clue, but the fresh fuel I put in the new filter is cycling through and it now has the old fuel that is in the lines. ( so far I have drained the rear tank of its old fuel) another side note, this truck has been converted to an electric fuel pump.
Hope that wasn’t too much info and I hope it wasn’t to tough to understand

 

[HS108]

Hi, sorry I’m just getting back to you, I’m not very savvy with this yet. Anyway, so I am not getting smoke at the tailpipe. I cracked some of the injector lines and although fuel is getting to the new filter, it is not getting to the injectors when I crank it. Side note, I replaced all of the pvc return lines, o rings and T’s and when I cracked the injector closest to the passenger seat and cranked over I had fuel shooting out of that return line that I accidentally left detached.
Also, not sure if this is a helpful clue, but the fresh fuel I put in the new filter is cycling through and it now has the old fuel that is in the lines. ( so far I have drained the rear tank of its old fuel) another side note, this truck has been converted to an electric fuel pump.
Hope that wasn’t too much info and I hope it wasn’t to tough to understand

It sounds like fuel is cycling through the system then, you can try the ATF trick. Its not going to harm anything. The idi will burn anything really lol

Most importantly you should start your own thread and list your issues, and things you have tried, and more people can chime in that are more advanced in repairs than me, and we can get this truck back running for ya

 

[Old Goat]

I kinda agree, start your own thread with info on the truck, year,
where ya got it, did it sit for 10 years in a field before you got it etc...
You said you drained the old fuel, how old was it?
Diesel isn`t like gas where it will go bad in a short time.
When I got the 86 10 years ago, guy I got it from said he didn`t use it and prior owner didn`t either. I drove it 5 years, and finally
replaced the tank for a larger one.
Drained the fuel in a 5 gal bucket. and was still clear. Had 4 gallons in it.

ATF, even Marvel Mystery Oil will burn just fine won`t hurt your engine.


Goat

 

[IDIBRONCO]

This will probably take some more cranking to get it going. It's possible that the starter isn't turning the engine over fast enough as well.

 

[Dustys8469]

It sounds like fuel is cycling through the system then, you can try the ATF trick. Its not going to harm anything. The idi will burn anything really lol

Most importantly you should start your own thread and list your issues, and things you have tried, and more people can chime in that are more advanced in repairs than me, and we can get this truck back running for ya

Ok, I appreciate you getting back to me. I’ll start a new thread.
I’m thinking I may have a stick fss or gunked up IP. Again, thank you very much and HAPPY THANKSGIVING