ATF before an oil change
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ATF before an oil change
I have an '03 F-250 powerstroke 6.0 Im due for an oil change and a friend of mine heard that adding a 1/2 or full qt. of ATF to motor and running for a few days before you drain old oil will clean the heck out of engine....anyone ever try this?....Good ? bad? your thoughts.....Thanks
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From: Corvallis, OR
It actually can knock a lot of crud loose, but I haven't tried it in my 6.0L. I doubt the 1/4 quart left after draining the oil would cause any problems. I've done it before an oil change in my '79 F250 and the oil went from clean to nasty in about 100 miles, showing how much sludge it cut loose. I'll be doing it again next oil change.
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From: Corvallis, OR
Or I would do a very small dose, and increase slowly on following oil changes. Who knows, it may be the cure for stiction caused by oil varnish, but try at your own risk!
On my '79, it knocked so much crud loose that I actually had a lifter start hanging up. Took 20 or miles after the oil change for the lifter to clean out and work properly again. It was only a 2k oil change, and after adding a quart of ATF the oil got NASTY real quick and draining out hot it was like chunky sludge.
On my '79, it knocked so much crud loose that I actually had a lifter start hanging up. Took 20 or miles after the oil change for the lifter to clean out and work properly again. It was only a 2k oil change, and after adding a quart of ATF the oil got NASTY real quick and draining out hot it was like chunky sludge.
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Hotshot
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From: Middle Tn.
Or I would do a very small dose, and increase slowly on following oil changes. Who knows, it may be the cure for stiction caused by oil varnish, but try at your own risk!
On my '79, it knocked so much crud loose that I actually had a lifter start hanging up. Took 20 or miles after the oil change for the lifter to clean out and work properly again. It was only a 2k oil change, and after adding a quart of ATF the oil got NASTY real quick and draining out hot it was like chunky sludge.
On my '79, it knocked so much crud loose that I actually had a lifter start hanging up. Took 20 or miles after the oil change for the lifter to clean out and work properly again. It was only a 2k oil change, and after adding a quart of ATF the oil got NASTY real quick and draining out hot it was like chunky sludge.
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I'm surprised that was the outcome given ATF has hardly any detergents or additives.
If was good back in the day for freeing up stuck lifters, but that's comparing 10 weight atf to a normal 20W50.
Josh
If was good back in the day for freeing up stuck lifters, but that's comparing 10 weight atf to a normal 20W50.
Josh
Lead Driver
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From: Corvallis, OR
Yes, I think that's an accurate translation. I would be tempted to try it in small doses initially, say 1/4 quart before the first change and increasing in 1/4 quart intervals on following changes until you are up to 1 quart. Running it for 50-100 miles before the oil change.
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From: Corvallis, OR
Most ATFs have quite a bit of detergent actually, that's the whole reason it works like this.
Hotshot
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From: Middle Tn.
Unless atf's have changed dramatically they are a very high detergent fluid due to the minute passages in an auto tranny.
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Google a VOA for any ATF and show me where ATF even has 10% the additives and detergents that engine oil has. And no, sulphur doesn't count.
Seems better off using a 0W20 for a flush than ATF. This isn't the 1950s anymore.
Josh
Seems better off using a 0W20 for a flush than ATF. This isn't the 1950s anymore.
Josh
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Sorry, it's an old wives tale. There are hardly any detergents or additives in ATF or any hydraulic oil. Hydraulic systems are closed systems with no combustion, therefore no need for detergents.
Josh
Josh