ATF In The Engine Oil

[boydg1]

ATF In The Engine Oil

.... Has anyone here used a little bit of ATF in their oil change as a means of keeping things CLEAN, especially LIFTERS on a regular basis? And if you have, how much and how has it worked out for you?

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[Zanzer]

I've never used ATF for that but I have added Marvel Mystery Oil in my trucks that sit for long periods of time so it would help with lifters and keep valves from sticking.

The only thing I've used ATF for in an engine is to help clean carbon deposits off the tops of pistons. Used to pour a little down the carburetor while the engine is running or suck it into the intake tract via a vacuum line on EFI cars.

[JPT]

Way back in the day my father and his buddies used to do that. They would add about 1/2 a quart to the oil before an oil change. You let the car run for a bit, shut it off and when it's cool, change the oil.

I do the same thing, except I use Marvel Mystery Oil. Seafoam works the same way.

[1988festivazoom]

if you do put atf in your crank case only put it in right before and oil change, i personally wouldint do it, if your looking to just clean gunk out of the engine get some engine flush, if you want to clean carbon from the combustion chambers u can simply get a spray bottle of water and mist it through the intake tube at a high idle, this will cause steam and remove must carbon buildup.

[gauge_half_inch]

if you have a heavy varnished engine ( brownish-gold buildup) you can add a 1/2 quart a few days before you change the oil, and drive around with it without damaging anything. its still petroleum based so no big issues there, just keep in mind it will thin the oil a bit. so just don't hot-rod it. as far as using it all the time, i guess used accordingly, untill its clean it wouldn't hurt anything.

[Eaglefreek]

The only thing I've used ATF for in an engine is to help clean carbon deposits off the tops of pistons. Used to pour a little down the carburetor while the engine is running

When I had auto mechanics class in high school back in the 80's, the teacher would do that. So I came up with a "great" idea. I bought a windshield washer reservoir with pump, installed it on my 77 Mustang, filled with ATF and then ran a hose to the carb. James Bond smoke screen. :glasses7:

[Zanzer]

^^ :laughing3:

I had the exact same thought the first time I saw it done! It smokes like CRAZY!! We used to cloud up the whole neighborhood LOL I'm glad I get along well with my neighbors and they've gotten used to all the "car stuff" we do :mrgreen:

[Tommychu]

ATF worked miracles on my old service truck. Lifter noise, the odd/fluctuating oil pressure and one or two of the leaks (!) magically vanished. I've yet to try it on the new one, which has all those problems and more.

If you do it, don't use the Dex/Merc specific stuff. The friction modifiers in that stuff do funny things to an engine. Use the cheapest, most ambiguous 'gas station' ATF you can find.

[JPT]

if your looking to just clean gunk out of the engine get some engine flush...

If you have never used "Engine Flush" before, take the warning on the can seriously. DO NOT drive your car while that stuff is in your crankcase. It's a solvent and will thin your oil out to dangerous levels.

Also, the stuff has a tendancy to loosen sludge that's built up around worn seals. Don't be surprised if it creates leaks around old seals.

[getnpsi]

Put Type F in the fuel. It's been confirmed that it does clean the top end but does nothing for the rings. Look up "MMO piston soak" and try that. Thinning out an oil can work out all kinds of problems where the old thought was to use a thicker oil. I used motorcraft 5w-20 in the 1.3 aspire a whole year and it ran better and got quieter week after week.

On a 1988 f250 i dropped the oil pan and shot it with a pressure washer from below heh. That was fun and it ran great afterwards. That truck is still on the road too.