It was popular before there were modern fuel treatments.

it’s like fixing a toothache with whiskey vs going to a dentist.

 

Yeah, the ATF treatment is straight out of the Fifties and Sixties.

I think you’ll get some argument on the whiskey treatment though…

 

Rightfully so.

 

In the past, some owners of older diesel vehicles added small amounts of ATF to their fuel with the idea of cleaning injectors or improving lubrication. This was based on anecdotal experience-not scientific evidence.

It’s not anecdotal. And it’s not really a small amount either. In 50+ gallon tanks I’d put in several quarts. 4, 5, 6, 8, + quarts - hard to say exact concentrations when there there are no fuel gauges in older heavy equipment - graders, blower, excavator, back hoes, etc etc.

This is an old technique that was employed on older machines. Ie, older heavy mechical Cummins, Perkins, detroits, etc etc etc. Employed by many, many operators, especially those running NATO, Jet A & B fuels, and these days modern diesel fuels in older engines. Specifically, for the fuel pumps. Even older diesel fuels before the low sulphur etc, people would run it for longer pump and injector life.

Most of the guys who can tell you the difference, such as the person I leaned this from long ago, are probably long dead. He ran a pump shop and could tell exactly what fuel and lubes you ran in your pumps just by opening it up and looking at it. The ATF is a lubricant.

None of this applies to any modern diesels with emissions and modern cp4 fuel pumps - I know nothing about them. And I’ve never heard a pump shop recommend that to any one with something new.

I can tell you from hard earned experience ruining pumps, running mechnical Cummins, case, Detroits, etc - it actually works. It solved tearing up pumps and pump shafts for me. It was not anecdotal. The only thing that was changed was the addition of ATF running NATO and Jet fuels. Nothing else.

Why ATF? Because it worked well, it was cheap, and widely available everywhere. By the case or drum. The only warning I give people if doing so in an older diesel engine pickups - it will tint your fuel red, the more atf, the more red. If you’re in an area that checks for dyed fuel, you might have a hard time talking your way out of it.

 

I have a few friends that use ATF as their diesel additive. A quart per fill-up

 

Yes I’ve been seeing recent post about this on earlier models, specially the Power Stroke, thats why now a day when people want to buy high millage trucks they prefer stock.

 

I wish I would have thought to add ATF to my fuel...............A lubricant not meant to burn............why the heck not!?!?

 

I agree with @Jeff-F350 - it's been around a while. I think it got somewhat of a resurgence when the US decided to reduce sulfur to 15ppm in 2006. Sulfur was the lubricant agent in the fuel. People were looking for ways to compensate for the lack of lubricity. ATF, 2-cycle oil, used motor oil were some of the things that circulated around. Yes, older engines could tolerate it, but no, it wasn't the best idea. The newer engines are so advanced from the old ones that running the above is bad for them.

 

I got some free Jet-A and have been using it in my tractor. (1988 Kubota) It has cleaned the injectors nicely. No more white smoke. I would not recommend Jet-A1. It is formulated as a blend of Jet-A and gasoline. It may work in a turbine but lubricity may be a problem in an diesel.

 

I ran an aviation MRO (Heavy Maintenance - DHC6, DHC8, ATR, Hs748, etc) business, and operated an FBO / Airport for many yrs. I literally grew up on an airport and flying. Trucks were a big part of the operations and my side line / hobby.

Jet A and Jet A1 are the same fuel. ‘A1’ designates it has an anti ice/gel additive. While ‘gas’ turbines (PT6) are called ‘gas turbines’ and will run on gasolines, it is not recommend due to higher operating temperatures. On the PT6 engines, there are time limits to how much and how long gasolines can be used.

Jet A1 is not blended with gasoline.

I have experience with the PT6 line of engines, and have P&WC HM and LM, TM, factory training on them.

As my previous posts, I would not recommend Jet A to be run in equipment without a lubricity additive. That one is through hard leaned/earned knowledge.

 

Besides having a 2022 F-250 Powerstroke - I have been blessed with a Diesel Mercedes. Mercedes has done some significant research in using ATF in Diesel fuel - and the bottom line is DON'T. Long and short it cokes the injection tips and has zero benefit to injection system or the engine in general.