Oil & Fuel ATF and diesel fuel

[Toyboy]

I've got a couple bottles of ATF and no use for them. Somewhere on here I read that mixing it w/fuel was a good thing. If that it a true story, what would the ratio be per 5 gal in my BX. I'm want to use it up.

 

[Ford tractor]

Use 128:1 ratio (1 oz ATF to 1 gal of diesel) to give extra lubricity. Use as much as 30:1 (4oz per gal) if you just want to burn it up.

Some will see it as a risky adulteration of the fuel, but it's done all the time and won't (IMHO) cause any harm. I use ATF or 2 cyl oil in my diesel fuel truck for added lubricity and use ATF in my old classic convertible to help the rings say free. It doesn't get enough run time with our long winters.

 

[ray66v]

This WAS a good idea before ULSD fuel.

Adding anything not made for add to ULSD can reduce lubricity.

I know that it seems impossible that adding oil to diesel, can reduce lubricity, but a study has proven it to be true.

Most diesel additives like Power Service, had to also be reformulated, for the same reason.

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=177728

 

[Soundguy]

unless I misse dit.. I did not see atf in that study.

and with mmo being stoddards solvent mostly IIRC.. I don't doubt it did poorly..

soundguy

 

[ray66v]

unless I misse dit.. I did not see atf in that study.

and with mmo being stoddards solvent mostly IIRC.. I don't doubt it did poorly..

soundguy

Who would have thought any of the products that decreased lubricity would do so?

My point was, we should not assume it is a good idea anymore.

If someone has evidence It does not harm lubricity in ULSD, I would like to know for sure myself.

In the mean time, considering the level of hysterical paranoia some have, about what they put in their tractors, is seems they should use caution here.

 

[Raspy]

I certainly would not be afraid of putting some unused ATF in with the fuel. It has a lot of detergents in it and may not be much value as fuel, especially if it's synthetic, but I can't imagine it hurting anything in small quantities. In fact, the policy at the International dealer I used to work for, when changing fuel filters on diesels, was to fill the new filter with ATF and screw it on. That was some time ago, but the engine had to run on pure ATF for a bit.

A more valid concern might be used engine oil with it's content of powdered steel and other interesting contaminants. Yet, a lot of it gets run through diesels.

If lubricity is a concern, add some motor oil or some two stroke oil.

 

[WH401]

No, you don't want to put ATF in diesel fuel. Why? ATF typically contains friction modifiers which are beneficial to an automatic transmission but detrimental to a fuel system. Friction is the killer of a diesel fuel system, that's why so many problems occurred when ULSD was introduced, they couldn't handle the lack of lubricity and increased friction created from ULSD. Adding ATF to the fuel would just increase this problem. Run a good additive such as Power Service, Stanadyne,...you pick.

It doesn't matter in a tractor, but another reason why you shouldn't run ATF in a diesel vehicle is because ATF is red, it'll tint the fuel the same color as off road. Need I say more?

 

[CumminsLuke]

You guys do what you want, but I am going to stick to putting ATF in my automatic transmissions and I'll stick to putting diesel fuel and diesel fuel additives in my fuel tank. Call me crazy, but there is all kinds of stuff in ATF that I'd like to keep from going through my fuel systems.

 

[Toyboy]

OK guys, thanks for the replies. I'll look for another outlet to get rid of it.

 

[Soundguy]

No, you don't want to put ATF in diesel fuel. Why? ATF typically contains friction modifiers which are beneficial to an automatic transmission but detrimental to a fuel system. Friction is the killer of a diesel fuel system, that's why so many problems occurred when ULSD was introduced, they couldn't handle the lack of lubricity and increased friction created from ULSD. Adding ATF to the fuel would just increase this problem. Run a good additive such as Power Service, Stanadyne,...you pick.

It doesn't matter in a tractor, but another reason why you shouldn't run ATF in a diesel vehicle is because ATF is red, it'll tint the fuel the same color as off road. Need I say more?

so.. get the older atf that you can still get.. IE.. 70's era technology.. like type f..

me? I like some type f and mineral spirits or kerosene and a lil naptha in a hand squirt can as a penetrant oil.

soundguy

 

[TGF]

The only time I have seen someone put ATF in a diesel is when the guy accidentally filled it with gasoline. Basically a new knuckle head driver took one of the trucks to the gas station and literally gassed it up. Luckily he was smart enough to call the dispatch and they got one of the old hand mechanics on and he said add two quarts of ATF to the fuel tank and bring it strait back to the shop to be siphoned out.

 

[dieselscout80]

Back in the 1980's I worked for a trucking company and we always filled new fuel filters with ATF, but that was the most we ever add. Whether this was a good idea or not I'm not sure, but the +300 trucks the company had and we service got it everytime.

That said I would not do it on a newer computerised diesel like the Chevy/GMC Duramax or the newer Powerstrokes.

 

[SkyPup]

I've got a couple of gallons of used brake fluid (DOT 4 mostly), some old power steering fluid, some used carb clearner solvents, and some used battery acid, but I don't have any used ATF.

Which of these chemicals, if I filter them through a cheesecloth to remove the big chunks, are good to recycle through my RV's Mercedes diesel engine, or should I just dump them all into my tractors fuel tanks?

 

[SkyPup]

Save them to start the fire to burn all those old tires. You might not want to filter the acid since it might destroy the cheesecloth.

What?---- I thought if I toss the cheesecloth reminants into the tank it would function as an extra fuel filter.....

 

[clemsonfor]

Why dont the OP just give it away? Or save it for a LEAKY transmission? He could give it to me i use a quart out of my leaky sealed ranger every few thousand miles or so.

 

[GT2]

so.. get the older atf that you can still get.. IE.. 70's era technology.. like type f..

me? I like some type f and mineral spirits or kerosene and a lil naptha in a hand squirt can as a penetrant oil.

soundguy

Never put "Type F" in anything but a ford transmission!!!
Type F has " grit" in it. Will wipe out a diesel pump.

 

[RadarTech]

Never put "Type F" in anything but a ford transmission!!!
Type F has " grit" in it. Will wipe out a diesel pump.

Type F as in FULL O JUNK?:laughing::laughing:


J

 

[Ford tractor]

I've got a couple of gallons of used brake fluid (DOT 4 mostly), some old power steering fluid, some used carb clearner solvents, and some used battery acid, but I don't have any used ATF.

Which of these chemicals, if I filter them through a cheesecloth to remove the big chunks, are good to recycle through my RV's Mercedes diesel engine, or should I just dump them all into my tractors fuel tanks?

Don't forget that the cheese cloth can still be wrung out and used to make cheese...:confused2:

(yeah, I know you're joking...me too)

Ray66V -- I read your link. Thanks, lots of good stuff there. It looks like 2 cycle is good for the diesel fuel system. The ULSD caution seems to be only for engines that have a DPF. Interesting how simple 2 cycle beats the addition of other chemicals that are rated for improvements in lubricity ! I mean, ?? Didn't they check if FPPF Lubricity Plus Fuel Power makes it less lubricious? Guess I'll continue to use 2 cycle oil in the diesel with more confidence.

 

[AKwelder]

in the late 90's i was a motor pool mechanic with 25 hummers running 6.2 diesel engines, and oh what poor things they were. We added half of a coffee cup of ATF every fill up. It worked great, and helped. Later they told us that they changed the chemistry and it did seem to quit working

An old timer said of coarse they would change it, why sell 99 cent ATF when you can sell 4 dollar additive

old diesels seem to like it, newer one don't.

I sure would hate to have problems in a new hot **** tractor due to ATF in the fuel, but would dump a snort in my 85 Kubota any day

 

[mjncad]

A friend sent me an email saying that a 50-50 mix of ATF & acetone makes for a great penetrating oil.

> For all of you that are mechanically inclined.....
> Penetrating Oils Compared
>
> Machinist's Workshop magazine actually tested penetrants for break out torque on rusted nuts. Significant results! They arranged a subjective test of all the popular penetrants with the control being the torque required to remove the nut from a "scientifically rusted" environment.
>
> Penetrating oil .......... Average load
> None ..................... 516 pounds
> WD-40 .................... 238 pounds
> PB Blaster ............... 214 pounds
> Liquid Wrench ............ 127 pounds
> Kano Kroil ............... 106 pounds
> ATF-Acetone mix............ 53 pounds
>
> The ATF-Acetone mix was a "home brew" mix of 50 - 50 automatic transmission fluid and acetone.
>
> Note the "home brew" was better than any commercial product in this one particular test. A local machinist group mixed up a batch and all now use it with equally good results. Note also that "Liquid Wrench" is about as good as "Kroil" for about 20% of the price.