<VV>ATF

[Tony Underwood]

At 07:30 hours 05/22/2006, Padgett wrote:

>>I accidentally poured a couple quarts of ATF into my motor oil and 
>>then ran it it for couple of minutes before I realized what I had 
>>done. I drained it out and poured new oil in and replaced the 
>>filter. My question is- will the ATF  cause any lasting problems 
>>and is there anything else that I should do?
>
>I often toss a quart of ATF into an old engine to clean it out, my 
>understanding is that it is essentially a very high detergent 20 
>weight oil. Have never had any problem afterwards though usually 
>change the oil within the next 1,000 miles.



There was a guy who used to cruise the "main strip" here in town in a 
black mid-'60s Pontiac (389 2xbbl) who didn't use motor oil, he used 
ATF in the engine exclusively.   I do not know why.    He did this 
for years and the Pontiac never seemed to care one way or another.


My favorite was the guy with the early '60s Rambler (6 cylinder) who 
taught shop classes at my old alma mater.   As a demo of the fact 
that a lubricating agent need not be petroleum based, he ran the car 
for a week or two back and forth between classes and home with 
nothing but dish washing liquid in the pan.  If it got a little low 
from evaporation, he added water.   I think he did nothing except 
flush the oil, replaced the filter, and removed the thermostat so the 
engine wouldn't run hot, and filled it to the FULL mark with Joy.

After the "demo" he flushed the Joy and refilled with engine oil, no 
ill effects were noted.


The red '60 Monza that we bought from Curt a few years ago has been 
running two quarts of ATF and two quarts of motor oil with each oil 
change in an effort to help flush whatever all is caked up in the 
engine, what with its having never been apart in 46 years.    So far, 
it's never had a problem with this treatment.


I'd not worry much over having some ATF in the crankcase.


tony..