I may have missed previous threads on the subject of adding mystery fluids to my diesel fuel in my 12valve, but recently heard adding some ATF transmission fluid would be good for the injectors. My '98 is still totally stock with only 100k miles on it and would like some input on this subject.
fuel additives
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That is a total myth. ATF contains additives that are not meant to burn and will do nothing positive to your injectors or engine. If you are dead set on wasting your money on additives I suggest you spend it on real diesel fuel aditives. Cummins recommends Diesel Kleen and Bosch recommends Stanadyne. I get 400k+ miles out of my injectors and don't use anything except in the winter for anti-gel. I only add it if I am buying fuel in the south and going north. Southern fuel doesn't get the same amount of winter additive as northern fuel does. I don't add anything to the fuel I buy in the north.
The ATF is to clean carbon build ups. Used to be used on N14s and 60 series Detroits by old mechanics
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Way back when ATF was petroleum based and did not contain anything like the additive packages in todays ATF. There wasn't any real proof that it cleaned anything but it produced a lot of smoke and the unknowing mechanic and truck owner thought it was a cleaning agent. And since all ATF packages vary, which ATF would YOU dump in your tank?
No harm in running power service or howes. I do it now and then. Never noticed a difference one way or another. Your p pump will last a million miles. If you don’t run additive maybe it will only last 950k.
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I'm about 20k miles short of 1.5 million. You need to update your estimate.
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A compressor isn't a 4 cycle internal combustion engine.
Sulfur in diesel fuel is the natural lubricant in the fuel for the fuel system. The P pump was designed before ultra low sulfur diesel was put into play to lower emissions. Additives will not hurt to help lubricate the system in absence of the sulfur. Will help longevity of the system
Fair point. I was just going to show that the cleaning properties of ATF are there for cleaning carbon and proof for it. Not saying that it will do the same inside but in theory that’s what older mechanics used it for. Just trying to explain to the OP that it’s not used just for an additive.
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Sulfur is NOT a lubricant, it is a corrosive and a poison gas when it is burned. That's 8th grade science. I've owned my truck since it was new, i.e. pre ULSD. It runs just the same now as it did when it was new. I'm not saying that commercial fuel additives will hurt one. I'm saying that they are a waste of money. I guess you just skimmed my answer in post #2 and didn't really read it.
I'm well aware of what old mechanics did, but the fact they did isn't evidence that it was a good practice.
I'm well aware of what old mechanics did, but the fact they did isn't evidence that it was a good practice.
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GAmes beat me to it, barely.
How to Add Lubricity, Improve Fleet Performance and Reduce Emissions - Fuels Market News
How to Add Lubricity, Improve Fleet Performance and Reduce Emissions The shift to ULSD has not come without some undesirable side effects.
fuelsmarketnews.com
I did read what you said and that’s why I responded with the THEORY of why they did this
Yes but is a chemical that combines with the petroleum and that’s what makes the lubricant. Read the article
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I don't remember exactly what vanished together with the sulfur, and provided lubrication, but could look it up tomorrow.
Either way, I did read the article and don't expect a bio diesel peddler to be overly accurate.
Well here is another one with no bias
Ultra-low Sulfur Diesel Fuel Affects Lubrication
Most diesel fuel sold at retail locations in the U.S. is ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel that has different lubricating qualities than diesel previously available.
www.ag.ndsu.edu
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Your engine will run on anything. Clean fuel and regular filter changes and you're good to go.
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