Can i mix me old ATF in the fuel as an additive?

 

Cut from the 9 year old power steering thread and moved to the 7.3L PSD forum to get you better responses.

Stewart

 

It’s not so much a question of whether or not you can but more of a question of why would you. As it is becoming increasingly difficult to get rid of old ATF, you may want to put it in diesel fuel to get rid of it and some "old timers" (and I use that term loosely) may have done it in the past. Some may say its fine but I would not put it in my fuel.

While the ATF may lubricate specific areas like injectors or fuel pumps, the compounds in ATF that are not designed to burn may build up and lead to more problems than it would solve by adding it to the fuel. In today’s market, there are a number of additives that are designed to lubricate the system and cleanly burn that are much better than ATF so there is really no reason to use it. JMHO

 

ATF burns just like diesel you'll never be able to tell the difference. Same goes with motor oil once it's deluted. Your problem isn't if you can burn it, it's a matter of if you can filter it down enough to not harm anything.
Most of the guys to disagree with being able to burn it don't know what there truly talking about. The argument of you being able to filter it is a different story.

 

I also heard the story because it is red if your tank was dipped you couild be accused of using off road fuel!

Smokie

 

i would not use it in my trucks. there are too many contaminants in it for my comfort zone, and i do not want to have to explain red in the fuel system if stopped and tank dipped, the cops will not believe anything you say.

 

Ding ding ding. Here's the answer I'm going with. Ever seen the magnet in the auto transmission pan and all that fuzz stuck to it that seems to be more of a paste than a solid?

Yes you can do it, as long as you don't mind changing your injectors sooner rather than later.

 

ATF does not burn like diesel and its not suppose to either. Yes people will continue to put it in there trucks and makes claims that it helps without really knowing what it is doing. Its not my truck so I have no dog in this fight but again, there is no need to put ATF in your fuel system. Does it burn, yes it burns and that is not the entire issue, the question is how well and complete does it burn?

 

Actually...... no.

ATF and motor oil do NOT burn "just like diesel". If you dilute it enough the average person cannot tell the difference just by listening to the motor or driving the truck. Still doesn't mean it's burning the same as diesel.

Both have vastly different properties than diesel, such as flash point, BTU's, etc. Not to mention the additives within both ATF and motor oil will affect things such as buildup, injector wear, etc.

And that's not even discussing used ATF or motor oil. That opens up an entirely different can of worms as it has already been mentioned so far.