ATF / Detergent? Really? - Page 2

MLTXJ9889 · 11-17-2009, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

Yeah for sure let me know. PM me with the details.

Thanks

talentjeep · 11-17-2009, 09:04 PM

Quote:

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MLTXJ9889

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.

I am now going to add 4-5 quarts of ATF to my regular gear. I had no idea it was so multipurpose.

Quote:

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.

I have been warned about the gunk thing a lot. I finally decided to try a full synthetic a couple years back on my Neon (it had about 95k). No problems. I changed my Jeep over to synthetic, no problems.

And since I have a backup car if it blows my seals I'll just be sure not to wreck the block and then I'll get to rebuild it!

It'll be another Jeep learning experience....

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDGreen04T

J
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!

The link is dead but it sounds legit. For once I can call the PAPE/CAT shop in a good mood! Haha!

nostaw22 · 11-18-2009, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by talentjeep

I am now going to add 5 gallons of ATF to my regular gear. I had no idea it was so multipurpose.

5 gallons?

That seems like... a lot...

BTW - Valvoline makes a synthetic diesel motor oil too... I use it in my WK. I think it is a 5w40.

JW

talentjeep · 11-18-2009, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nostaw22

5 gallons?

That seems like... a lot...

Er, uh. Five quarts.

nostaw22 · 11-18-2009, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by talentjeep

Five quarts. Sometimes I stay up a little late and get fuzzy.

Just to be clear - you should only substitute ~1 quart of ATF for 1 qt of motor oil... Don't run straight ATF!

JW

talentjeep · 11-18-2009, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nostaw22

Just to be clear - you should only substitute ~1 quart of ATF for 1 qt of motor oil... Don't run straight ATF!

JW

No worries.

It just sounds like an awesome solvent/degreaser/oil detergent etc. I'd bet soaking bolts in it helps if your run out of PB. Maybe just a gallon would do. Plus I get stubborn grease on my hands a lot.

Could you use it as backup clutch or brake fluid in an extreme pinch?

And my Neon has an automatic.

CherokeeGT · 11-19-2009, 12:07 AM

atf does work good buttt..... a proper hot oil flush works way better

but if youve got atf lyin around!

talentjeep · 11-19-2009, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CherokeeGT

atf does work good buttt..... a proper hot oil flush works way better

but if youve got atf lyin around!

What sort of auto places do this?

Google just gives me industrial hot oil flush and references to car oil flush.

btm757 · 11-19-2009, 07:31 AM

At work we do a bilstein engine flush. It has a petroleum based cleaner with ammonia and other things in it.
The flush is in a heated tank. With the engine off you put this thing on the oil filter adapter and another hose to the oil pan. It then pumps the cleaner thru the block via the oil filter add. and it drains thru the drain plug hole. it works quite well. They only thing it if it is really slugged up the reverse flush can actually clog up stuff. If you are really slugged up use the ATF a couple times. It works great i do it on my truck the day before each oil change.

**Magus2727** · 11-19-2009, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by talentjeep

No worries.

It just sounds like an awesome solvent/degreaser/oil detergent etc. I'd bet soaking bolts in it helps if your run out of PB. Maybe just a gallon would do. Plus I get stubborn grease on my hands a lot.

Could you use it as backup clutch or brake fluid in an extreme pinch?

And my Neon has an automatic.

It is a little to thick for clutch or brakes, you can use it but it can lead to damaging your calipers, just have a bottle of brake cleaner laying around.

A lot of people use an ATF/Acetone mix (50/50 IIRC) and works better then PB blaster by a long shot... but can go bad over time so its best to mix a small amount and use it then fix a gallon size worth of it and use it over the next 6 years....

talentjeep · 11-19-2009, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magus2727

A lot of people use an ATF/Acetone mix (50/50 IIRC) and works better then PB blaster by a long shot...

That's quite a concoction. Sounds like it would peel your skin off in short order.

**dagr8tim** · 11-19-2009, 10:26 AM

Thanks for all the tips for Type F. Being a Ford guy, I've got got probably 8+ quarts of it in a tote in the garage.

Crunch · 11-20-2009, 01:24 PM

We used to do the atf at a dealership I worked at in the early '90's. It's cool to run for a few minutes or drive around for a few hours, but 500 miles, don't do it. It WILL EAT YOU VALVE SEALS!!!!!! Had to replace many old timers seals from them doing this...

jjg214 · 11-20-2009, 02:23 PM

maybe add a 1/2 a quart of ATF to the oil, once you add a whole quart youll be messing around with the weight of the oil.

as far as eating your valve seals to the poster right above me, your the first time iv heard of that so....it doesnt seem to be to common.

Crunch · 11-20-2009, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjg214

maybe add a 1/2 a quart of ATF to the oil, once you add a whole quart youll be messing around with the weight of the oil.

as far as eating your valve seals to the poster right above me, your the first time iv heard of that so....it doesnt seem to be to common.

It was very common if you drove around and left it in there to long. If your engine has higher mileage, you should not drive the vehicle around for any real length of time. I would just let the vehicle idle for 15-20 minutes and thats all it needs to loosen all the gunk up.
What would I know, I only worked as an a.s.e. certified mechanic at a dealership for a couple years anyway....