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Old Aug 1, 2003 | 07:52 PM
  #1  
Bob Ayers's Avatar
Bob Ayers
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Diesel Conditioner

Has anybody heard of using ATF for cleaning injector pumps &
injectors?? I was told that it works great on Mercedes diesels.
 
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Old Aug 1, 2003 | 07:55 PM
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johnsdiesel
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Diesel Conditioner

DO NOT add atf to your fuel as a "conditioner." If you want to use an additive, use an additive like Standyne lubricity formula.
 
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Old Aug 2, 2003 | 05:26 AM
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Diesel Conditioner

ATF is a great injector cleaner, the problem with it is the red dye makes it look like your using non taxed fuel.
 
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Old Aug 2, 2003 | 05:55 AM
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Diesel Conditioner

My god. The good stuff, Stanadyne, Power Service, Howes, Lucas, stc. is only about $2-$3 a tank.

Why in the world, if you need to use an additive to clean your injectors, would you try to save $1-$2 by using unapproved and possibly harmful ATF?

That just doesn't make sense.
 
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Old Aug 2, 2003 | 08:49 AM
  #5  
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Diesel Conditioner

Originally posted by alanscott
ATF is a great injector cleaner, the problem with it is the red dye makes it look like your using non taxed fuel.
It's pretty hard on the injectors.
 
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Old Aug 2, 2003 | 09:43 PM
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Diesel Conditioner

Has anyone tried using the Rottela deisel fuel conditioner.
citro
 
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Old Aug 2, 2003 | 10:03 PM
  #7  
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Diesel Conditioner

Originally posted by citro
Has anyone tried using the Rottela deisel fuel conditioner.
citro
Again, it's hard on the injectors.
 
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Old Aug 2, 2003 | 10:50 PM
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Diesel Conditioner

In the past, I've put over 500k miles on a diesel running 2 quarts of ATF at every fourth fill up, must not be that hard on them.
 
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Old Aug 3, 2003 | 06:05 AM
  #9  
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jschira
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Diesel Conditioner

Originally posted by alanscott
In the past, I've put over 500k miles on a diesel running 2 quarts of ATF at every fourth fill up, must not be that hard on them.
What are you saving by running ATF instead of Stanadyne?

Does ATF clean better than injector cleaner?
 
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Old Aug 3, 2003 | 06:39 AM
  #10  
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Diesel Conditioner

Atf does clean, but it also eats holes in many rubber parts like seals and pump diaphragms.

Bottom line: ATF = Automatic Transmission Fluid

If your injectors are having problems, why not just have them cleaned and calibrated at a diesel shop?
 
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Old Aug 3, 2003 | 07:39 AM
  #11  
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Diesel Conditioner

Originally posted by alanscott
In the past, I've put over 500k miles on a diesel running 2 quarts of ATF at every fourth fill up, must not be that hard on them.
Are you talking about a modern direct injection diesel? There's a big difference. Modern diesels are not as friendly to these "additives" as the old indirect injection diesels. As someone else pointed out, why would you add ATF when fuel additives are so cheap? Standyne lubricity formula is only $4.25 for enough to treat 120 gallons. My owners manual states specifically not to add any gas, alcohol, or oil to fuel.
 
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Old Aug 3, 2003 | 02:05 PM
  #12  
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Diesel Conditioner

Originally posted by johnsdiesel
Are you talking about a modern direct injection diesel?
Well yeah, regardless of what others may say, I am not an antique
 
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Old Aug 3, 2003 | 07:11 PM
  #13  
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Thumbs up Diesel Conditioner

I have been using Rotella DFA (diesel fuel addative) since I got fuel of less than the highest quality. Yes it does what it says it will. Also available form Shell distributors and Wal-Mart of all places.
 
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Old Aug 4, 2003 | 07:31 PM
  #14  
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Diesel Conditioner

Sound reasonable ATF is not "conditioner". However it does not answer the basic question that many are interested in: Is the occasional or continual use of a conditioner like Stanadyne Performance a good or bad thing. Or is it in the ear of the beholder. I have e-mailed Power Service and asked. They say that their product will not harm injectors and is intended for use in every tank at recommended mix levels. Who here has had an additive related, proven, failure of an injector?
 
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Old Aug 4, 2003 | 07:38 PM
  #15  
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From: Durham, NC
Diesel Conditioner

First, I would like to thank everybody for posting their opinions on my ATF question!!!

Several years ago I had a concern about my Mercedes diesel
when they started reducing the sulfur levels in diesel fuel. I had
a mechanic friend tell me that an additive was needed to lubricate
the injector pump, which was the function of the sulfur in the
diesel fuel. I contacted Mercedes Technical Services and their
response was:

First, the injector pump design in a Mercedes diesel does not rely
on the fuel for lubrication. And secondly, Mercedes does not recommend fuel additives in their diesel, or gasoline engines.

Since I just heard about the ATF last week, maybe I should ask
Mercedes about ATF???????????????
 
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