Running ATF - IDI Engine - VWDiesel.net The IDI, TDI, and mTDI source.

Running ATF by burn_your_money on 01 Dec, 2006 14:43
I want to run half a tank on pure ATF but I don't know how good that will be for my car. When ATF is in the fuel filter during changes it is diluted by the diesel already in the pump so it wouldn't be as high of a concentration as if I just filled my tank half full with ATF.

Will my car run fine on pure ATF? I don't care about mileage, or how well it runs, I just want it to run and clean. The car has around 438xxx kms on it so I'd like to give it a good cleaning. The IP was rebuilt about a year ago though.

What about cold starts (It's around -15 in the mornings)? Any converns with gelling?

I do plan to change the fuel filter after this.

If biodiesel was available and it didn't eat my lines I'd run that instead but I don't want to be changing lines in the winter.
#1 by RabbitJockey on 01 Dec, 2006 14:49
aside from injectors and the pump, it is a bad idea to do stuff to clean the engine, it can loosen carbon deposits and lower your compression, and although atf is not like a crank case additive, it is still oil that some will make it past your rings and stuff.... but i don't really know for sure, just throwing ideas out there. atf is an awesome lubricant though.
#2 by burn_your_money on 01 Dec, 2006 14:51
So a carbon run is not recommended? or an italian tune up?
#3 by saurkraut on 02 Dec, 2006 07:13
A long time ago, I used to put a quart of ATF in my tank at every oil change. After doing this for quite a while, i had to remove my injector lines for some reason, probably an injector check.

Anyway, i looked at the ends of the injector lines were they attach to the injector and noticed that they had little slots eroded in the id of of the line in a pattern that followed the fuel flow into the injector.

I haven't run ATF since, and I haven't seen this errosion pattern either.

Go figure
#4 by RabbitJockey on 02 Dec, 2006 07:55
if you wanna clean things up run a can of purge through, the difference before and after is very noticable, and the can is only like 10 bucks
#5 by burn_your_money on 03 Dec, 2006 21:48
Quote from: "Trev0rbr"
if you wanna clean things up run a can of purge through, the difference before and after is very noticable, and the can is only like 10 bucks

Yeah that's tricky stuff to find, but I have a lead on some. Fuel line erosion does not sound pleasent...
#6 by sethyboy85 on 05 Dec, 2006 20:43
http://forums.thedieselstop.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=3125718&an=0&page=0#Post3125718
#7 by monst on 06 Dec, 2006 07:39
Purge? what is that?
Burn your money ..
what about biodiesel?
that'll clean it out..........
#8 by RabbitJockey on 06 Dec, 2006 14:28
biodiesel does clean them out real nice too. i know a guy that had a questionable pump and after running biodiesel for a while it seems to be in good health. biodiesel isn't as instant as purge, but i think biodiesel eventually does a better job, especially since it sits in your pump constantly
#9 by burn_your_money on 06 Dec, 2006 15:16
Quote from: "monst"
Purge? what is that?
Burn your money ..
what about biodiesel?
that'll clean it out..........

puge = diesel purge. It's a cleaner that you run through the engine. Unhook the feed and return lines from the fitler and stuff them in the can.

Biodiesel is not available in my area (yet, hoping) Plus I don't want to have to change all my lines

I will make my own biodiesel in the summer, and I'll probably run the ATF diesel purge style. Just mount a jug in the engine bay and drive around the block when the engine is already warm to avoid hard starting. Or just let it idle away for a few hours
#10 by LeeG on 06 Dec, 2006 20:25
Quote
Biodiesel is not available in my area (yet, hoping)

thats funny, our biodiesel comes from Quebec rendering plants, some from midwest soy plants.
#11 by monst on 07 Dec, 2006 12:39
changing out the lines is not a really big deal...
cost wise.....
I did alot of research on this..... here is what
you can do.......(one approach)........
http://www.mcmaster.com...
search using viton... select viton tubing.....
that will bring you to the link.
here you can get all the tiny return lines (viton)
Yeah, i think it was 1/8 id.......
I think I got like 2 feet for 7 bucks....
As for the 1/4 and 5/16 lines... viton
is too much cash for me......
I might have bought 3' of 1/4 and 5' 5/16..
This is the rating on the hose your are looking
for.....SAE J30R9.... Soceity A?? engineers.....
All these hoses are biod compat......... if sae j30r9
This brand Dayco... makes a line
it is called Gen II(2) Dayco GenII fuel injection line.....
Just make sure on the line it says Gen II and saej30r9
you can check it out
http://http://www.daycoproducts.com/daycoweb.nsf/cf652a4feb630ad0862571a4005ae40c/1f110345eb637790862571aa006e7b5c?OpenDocument
The cost is significantly cheaper.
I replaced all those hoses for around 40bucks......
and I put on some fuel injection hose clamps......
for another 10......

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