[mathematic]

By adding 1 qrt of transmission fluid to your gas(mid grade or better), does it help clean the engine? An old school mechanic guy said to do this maybe twice a month...he says this works wonders on old cars like mine.

I have a old school cutlass supreme 80' with an 350 engine..

 

[Eric63M]

We do this to the vehicles out here in Iraq. But no where near a qt. usually about a shot glass.

The Injector pumps and injectors last longer and the engines usually last to about 15k this way.

Eric

 

[Jim Rockford]

yea its fine, trans fluid is very high detergent and helps lube the valves.

 

[DoubleVision]

This is a classic wives tale. The tranny fluid being burned with the gas causes the rings to coke up with a white powder like substance. When it gets into the ring lands it`ll cause combustion flash to go under the rings into the ring lands and the ball game is over. It also causes this same gunk to build up on the back side of the intake valve which hampers flow. If you want something that cleans use sea foam in the fuel. Use marvel mystery oil in the oil.

 

[kleen56]

I remember my dad use to put Marvel Mystery oil in his gas tank after so many fill ups. He swore it helped lubricate his upper engine, etc. Marvel Mystery oil looks similar to trans fluid. I know it can used in the oil or fuel. This topic sound similar to the pouring a cup of water down the carb to remove carbon buildup from the pistons and valves. Not sure if that works, although we did it prior to a race and got better run times on the track.

 

[Jim Rockford]

This is a classic wives tale. The tranny fluid being burned with the gas causes the rings to coke up with a white powder like substance. When it gets into the ring lands it`ll cause combustion flash to go under the rings into the ring lands and the ball game is over. It also causes this same gunk to build up on the back side of the intake valve which hampers flow. If you want something that cleans use sea foam in the fuel. Use marvel mystery oil in the oil.

Never ever had any problems like you stated.

 

[tbi355]

its really good on all your seals too

 

[curtis73]

In a diesel engine its fine... in fact, you can burn straight ATF, but it isn't good for it at all. There was an article in Diesel Power magazine recently about a guy who burns about 70-80% ATF in his powerstroke.

In a gas engine, it does nothing more than adding engine oil. The old wive's tale about ATF being so good at cleaning is completely false. People crack open transmissions and see how clean they are compared to 3000 miles on engine oil and assume its the oil. The truth is, transmissions aren't responsible for dealing with the blowby like engines are, but the ATF oil itself isn't any better at cleaning things in a fuel system than engine oil, or vegetable oil, or WD40... or anything for that matter.

ATF isn't a wonderful cleaning agent. People assume it is because transmissions stay clean, but its not because of the oil, its because of the transmission.

 

[sam_bo3]

If it doesn't clean stuff why was it that when I would make a mess in the shop it would make the rubber on the bottom of my shoes more tacky and it also gets the grim out out from underneathe my fingernails.

 

[SSedan64]

If it doesn't clean stuff why was it that when I would make a mess in the shop it would make the rubber on the bottom of my shoes more tacky and it also gets the grim out out from underneath my fingernails.

Because it's breaking down the rubber.
Fresh engine oil will also clean old black grimy stuff off your hands and finger nails.

 

[sbchevfreak]

We used to add it to older style diesel engines in the fuel - not much, a cup or so every 3rd or 4th tank of fuel. Especially on ones that idled a lot. There had been some issues with fuel racks and governers in the injection pumps getting gummy and hanging up, usually on farm vehicles burning dyed fuel. The ATF would help to clean and provide a bit of extra lubricity to free up sticky mechanisms.

However, don't add it to newer, HUEI or common rail engines. The injectors do not like it too much. I know if Ford finds out you have done it to an engine on warrenty, you will no longer have warrenty.

 

[Slepsog4]

Experience vs. Theory

My dad has a 97 Ford Escort with a 4 cyl. engine with over 150k miles. About 4 tanks ago he added a quart of tran. fluid.

Last week he had to make a road trip through NW Arkansas (lots of hills and curves). His cruise control does not work so he drove normal. He got 38 mpg going and 37.4 back in the rain.

My uncle who is a retired 25 yr. veteran mechanic told him about this. It has not fouled the plugs or any other negative thing. It apparently restored some power and definitely improved the mileage.

 

[Panelman55]

I've used ATF in with the engine oil. I do it to clean out the build up of crappy oil. My father showed me how well it worked in a 400sbc. He put ATF in the oil and ran it 1000 miles then pulled it for a rebuild. It was clean on the inside, where as before it was caked with build up from the "Q" lube. :welcome:

 

[T-bucket23]

In a car with a cat, you will plug it up in short order. A quart of oil in a tank of gas is eqaul to about 10 quarts in what would be a normal oil change interval. You will be wiping out cats and O2 sensors on a regular basis.

 

[Landshark928]

The lubrication benefits are not needed with modern valves and bronze sleeves. On top of that if you have an O2 sensor it will contaminate the oxygen sensor with zinc or phosphorus compounds needed in the tranny for lubrication at high pressure.

Tranny fluid should only go in the tranny or mixed drinks.