[talentjeep]

So I just read this article:

Project XJ Cheap Cherokee - - Jeep at Off-Road.com

And it advocates replacing a quart of engine oil with a quart of ATF for 500 miles or so to clean the gunk out of the engine.

The site is usually right but is this crazy? It sounds bat**** crazy!

[rivalarrival]

Not the first time I've heard it. I've never done it myself. You'd probably get the same effect just by changing your oil and filter after 500 miles. Motor oil contains detergents that trap contaminants. Sludge forms when the contaminate particles exceed the capacity of the detergent. Changing your oil more frequently than recommended will pick up that sludge.

[5-90]

Nope - not crazy. Old mechanic's trick.

Use Type F - it's got a higher detergent content (also makes a good ersatz hand cleaner; use the ATF to remove the grease and crud, then common bar soap will remove the ATF.)

Also makes a decent air-tool oil, cutting oil, or honing oil, in a pinch.

[MLTXJ9889]

Originally Posted by 5-90

Nope - not crazy. Old mechanic's trick.

Use Type F - it's got a higher detergent content (also makes a good ersatz hand cleaner; use the ATF to remove the grease and crud, then common bar soap will remove the ATF.)

Also makes a decent air-tool oil, cutting oil, or honing oil, in a pinch.

Absolutely correct. I use it in mine every 5 oil changes or so. I do it differently. I just dump a quart of ATF in ant let it idle for like 15 mins. then drain it.
Another thing you can use it for is in floor jacks. Your can use ATF instead of hydraulic oil in light floor jacks. Just thought I would add to the list.

[The_Blacksmith]

Remember, gunk helps seal old gaskets. High detergents like atf, seafoam ect, will find leaks for you

But yes it works, wonders.

[MLTXJ9889]

Originally Posted by The_Bandit

Remember, gunk helps seal old gaskets. High detergents like atf, seafoam ect, will find leaks for you

But yes it works, wonders.

Another great point. The old "if it ain't leakin it ain't workin" saying will come into play if you have gunk helping seal your gaskets and you try this trick.
Don't go by the saying oil leaks are common in jeeps and should be addressed if you have any. haha

[tjwalker]

The "ATF to the oil" trick has been around for a loooonnnnnggggg time. However, I also would contend that an engine with regular oil changes would have no need for this.

[nostaw22]

JP magazine did an article where they did this to clean out a 4-cyl in a YJ... As someone said earlier they put in ~1 qt and let it idle for ~10-15 mins then did a regular oil change.

JW

[JDGreen04TJ]

or you could do what i do for my cherokees and tjs, and that is just run 10w-30 diesel oil. it has plenty of detergents and recommended for the flat tappets.... i get mine from CAT.

[MLTXJ9889]

Originally Posted by JDGreen04TJ

or you could do what i do for my cherokees and tjs, and that is just run 10w-30 diesel oil. it has plenty of detergents and recommended for the flat tappets.... i get mine from CAT.

10w-30 is not a diesel oil. 15w40 is probably what you are thinking of. 10w30 is too light of a weight oil to ever run in a diesel.

[JDGreen04TJ]

Originally Posted by MLTXJ9889

10w-30 is not a diesel oil. 15w40 is probably what you are thinking of. 10w30 is too light of a weight oil to ever run in a diesel.

as you can see, Caterpillar makes a 10w-30 diesel engine oil, they also make it in 15w-40. i get it by the 5 gallon bucket.
works great on cleaning a motor and keeping it clean!

[hubs97xj]

They do indeed make 10W30 for Diesels, as does AmSoil. Interesting.

[MLTXJ9889]

Originally Posted by JDGreen04TJ

as you can see, Caterpillar makes a 10w-30 diesel engine oil, they also make it in 15w-40. i get it by the 5 gallon bucket.
works great on cleaning a motor and keeping it clean!

I didnt know that.....thanks for sharing.
So how much for the 5 gal bucket?

[RBxj]

Back in the ooold (muscle car) days before smog devices we used to drain oil, fill with diesel, idle about 5 min drain and flush with cheap no name oil and cheap filter,run around town awhile, drain and fill with the "good stuff" change the filter again and run another 5,000 mi. This is not recommened for todays engines.

[JDGreen04TJ]

i get it for $55, that is discounted. i will find out for all interested, i know its available in quarts gallons and 5 gal buckets.