[Vwdiesel] ATF as an additive???

[Doyt W. Echelberger]

Hello Gerry.....I admit to being one of the ATF users, but I don't 
recommend it, and I don't use it regularly....only about once a year, for a 
specific reason: Several times in the past 3 years my turbodiesel injector 
pump displayed a leak that dribbled fuel out of the little rubber nipple 
that empties the turbo boost enrichment module of the pump (upper right top 
of pump, standing ibn front of bumper facing the engine.)

A quart of ATF in the fuel tank caused the gaskets/O-rings/whatever in the 
pump to swell up enough that the leak totally stopped. The fix lasted about 
a year, and then I had to do it again. So, it is a one-tank trip with 
whatever unfavorable additives that arrive with the ATF.

My injector pump still works after several such fixes, and I haven't had to 
have it rebuilt yet, which is the only other way I know of to stop a 
leak.  I figured that the worst case would be that the ATF wouldn't work 
and I would being paying 300-400 for a rebuild anyhow, so why not try it?

I'm sure the fix will only last about a year on my car, and I will have to 
do it again, and I'm not sure how many times the pump will respond in a 
positive fashion to the swelling agent, or how long it will take for the 
friction additives to cause some damage, so the test continues.

I will report the results annually.

I do admit to using the 2-stroke oil now and then, but more as an 
experimental thing, just to see if I can detect any benefits.  I have been 
using "PowerServices  DieselKleen + cetane boost" in almost every tank this 
winter. Seems to make the engine start and run a little smoother, or allows 
me to imagine such a result. Who knows? I should probably get a TDI and put 
my poor old Jetta out to pasture. Gad, what an incredible car that has 
been. It deserves an honorable retirement.

Doyt Echelberger
Ohio   USA    85 Jetta TD

 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
At 10:51 AM 2/10/2004 -0500, you wrote:
>I'm seeing people recommending use of ATF as an additive to diesel fuel... 
>prob'ly as a "good thing" for the pump and/or injectors.
>
>My understanding is that ATF contains additive(s) to increase friction, 
>prob'ly for the torque convertor or whatever.  Wouldn't this defeat the 
>purpose?
>
>What about using 2-stroke oil mixed with Stanadyne, equal ratios.  Seems 
>to me the 2-stroke oil would be a better choice.  Ashless, designed as a 
>lubricant, yadda yadda.
>
>Just my $0.02Cdn...
>G.