Adding qt of ATF @ each oil change?

pgtr · Sep 17, 2003

This was a curious one someone passed on to me - claimed it was good for the health of the engine and was an old timers trick. Personally I never add anything but plain old oil but thought I'd throw this urban legend out for discussion... thanks,

labman · Sep 17, 2003

So they beat Ford to 5W-20? Maybe a little thinner is better?

got boost? · Sep 17, 2003

you can use atf (I wouldn't use a whole quart) as an engine cleaner before changing oil. I've fixed stuck lifters by doing that.

Pablo · Sep 17, 2003

do a search, beat to death in the past ATF is a 10W. Not many cleaners and different additive package than motor oil. No special cleaners are in ATF. Essentially the oil timers are thinning the oil for draining. If this thinned oil makes the car better, consider a real cleaner. Want clean? Use AutoRx. Want to stay clean? Use synthetic oil. Keep the ATF in the AT. My .02$

Al · Sep 17, 2003

Don't do it. (as Pablo says). It has a weaker detergent (cleaning) package than regular engine oil. Use AutoRx.

Ken2 · Sep 17, 2003

You'll talk to folks who have done this for years and say that they've never had a problem. It washes out some dirty oil. Well, yes, and so would a quart of the same engine oil they're planning on using, especially if they thin it in a bucket of hot water. The small amount of dirty oil left in the sump after a drain is not significant. ATF has nothing good in it for flushing an engine. Save your time and money. Ken

Pablo · Sep 18, 2003

Sorry not trying to be a smart acre. Maybe beaten to death is a bit strong, but I have seen it very often discussed (and debated, hassled, etc) in the - 10 or so years I've been lounging the web. Not just on the BITOG I used "ATF Flush" together. And came with: ATF flush flush AT fluid as a flush flushing with atf

mrhonda · Sep 18, 2003

It's probably mentioned in those links, but I can't resist saying, "Bat Smoke Screen".

Pablo · Sep 18, 2003

MrHonda, please explain the BSS comment,. [I dont know]

pgtr · Sep 18, 2003

Just a point of curiosity guys - personally I don't want to do anything except the occasional oil and filter change w/ plain ol' API certified motor oil. [Smile]

quote:
Originally posted by Pablo: do a search, beat to death in the past

Pablo, I DID do a search using key words like ATF and Dexron and came up w/ very little and nothing specific to adding ATF to the engine. If this has been beaten to death - was it beaten using other key words besides ATF? Please be specific because the search engine is certainly specific (and a great source of info). thanks,

pgtr · Sep 18, 2003

Thanks Pablo, It was never originally mentioned to me as a "flush" and I did not use the term "flush" when I did my original search. The person mentioning it to me simply mentioned adding it at each oil change as I said. Am reading thru those links presently - thanks again, [ September 19, 2003, 03:00 AM: Message edited by: pgtr ]

The Dummy · Sep 18, 2003

pgtr, I ran a '73 Chevy 350 some 150000 miles adding one quart of ATF in liew of one quart of oil at changes. I didn't do it every oil change but every now and then letting the appearance of the aging oil be the determination. The engine cleaned from extremely dirty (it had 100000+ when I bought it) to very clean and stayed that way. I was working the truck by regularly towing a 6000# trailer though hills and heat. I thought that using the ATF was a good move judging by my results. Of course, the 350 was a lot looser engine than the modern modular ones of today are. This is not a recommendation for you or for anyone to do the same thing. I did it because I was desparate to improve a bad condition with the vehicle and was prepared to take the consequences of a failed engine if it had come to that which it did not. George

pgtr · Sep 18, 2003

Thanks. Yeah I had heard that just adding it occasionally at oil change was 'good'. Just looking for a sanity check. Those links were interesting reads. I should have mentioned I heard this in connection w/ older engines precisely like your example - it stops or avoid things like problems w/ lifters and such...? I guess it acts as a flush in a way though arguably not ideal. This is just one of those things like putting a sacrificial penny on your battery or squirting water in your carb - it may not be pretty to a purist (no pun intended) but many swear it works. [Smile]

thanks,

widman · Sep 18, 2003

I'd rather use Auto RX or neutra or something well respected on this board. No snake oils for me. Only suggestion I like is when my doctor recommended I have a glass of wine with lunch every day.

Mike_dup1 · Sep 18, 2003

Personally I have never done this and never would. Sounds like something that could surely cause engine warranty problems. If you use good oil and filters, what can be in there to flush out. But all this talk begs the question, what type is best? Mercon Dexron ATF+ ???? From a data sheet for ATF

quote:
Superior cold temperature performance characteristics. Wide range of seal compatibility. Excellent wear protection. Superior frictional characteristics with excellent friction retention, and smooth shifting. Fortified against rust and corrosion. Excellent oxidation resistance. Meets requirements for foam protection. Dyed red for easy identification.

Not a hint of the detergency characteristic?? [ September 19, 2003, 01:49 PM: Message edited by: Mike ]

MolaKule · Sep 19, 2003

The current lot of ATF (hydraulic) fluids contains lots of friction modifiers and very low additive levels. The Group II+ to Group IV/V fluids are 0W20 weights. Use Neutra, LC, or Auto_RX for engine cleaning and leave the hydraulic fluids for hydraulic applications.

Ken2 · Sep 19, 2003

quote:
Originally posted by pgtr: This was a curious one someone passed on to me - claimed it was good for the health of the engine and was an old timers trick. Personally I never add anything but plain old oil but thought I'd throw this urban legend out for discussion... thanks,

Here's a list of the additives in ATF: Dispersants: Sludge & varnish control Antioxidants: Prohibit oxidation Antiwear: Planetary gear, bushing, thrust washer protection Friction modifier: Modify clutch plate and band friction Corrosion inhibitor: Prevent corrosion and rust Seal swell agent: Prevent loss of fluid via seals Viscosity Improver: Reduce rate of change of viscosity Pour Point Depressant: Improve low temperature fluidity Foam inhibitor: Foam control Red dye: Identification http://www.lubrizol.com/ATF/default.asp Even if some of these components sound good for an engine (dispersants, antiwear) every engine oil has the right products in the right quantities to do the job better that ATF. Ken

Jim Spahr · Sep 19, 2003

In the late 60's I worked part time in a Chevy dealership in a small town. The service manager would occasionally add a small Coke bottle (6.5 oz) worth of ATF to a car's crankcase. This was usually done to try to unstick a hydralic lifter without resorting to surgury. He would then let the car idle for 15 min's then change the oil.

labman · Sep 19, 2003

6.5 oz bottle of Coke! That was a long time ago.

Chris142 · Sep 21, 2003

Maybe 50 yrs ago atf had more detergents than the motor oil at that time? Just a thought anyway.

Adding qt of ATF @ each oil change?

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