what if i use ATF in my engine oil? anyone who has spilled ATF on their garage floor knows it's like ice in summer time. let's say i don't want to use expensive synthetic oil and still want low friction, if i replace one quart of valvoline with mercon-V would there be any negative side affects?
what if i use ATF in my engine oil? anyone who has spilled ATF on their garage floor knows it's like ice in summer time. let's say i don't want to use expensive synthetic oil and still want low friction, if i replace one quart of valvoline with mercon-V would there be any negative side affects?
It is not a good idea, actually it's a very bad idea to use ATF in the engine. Engine oil is made with a lot more additives and detergents to cope with and clean the internal combustion engine. ATF is more like a hydraulic oil and is not made to take the abuse from an engine nor does it have the cleaning capabilities; it doesn't have to because the transmission is a relatively closed system.
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2002 Mustang GT auto: SLP LM1, 8" shorty antenna, grille delete, coin delete, Cervini front bumper, SCT SF3 93 octane, JLT RAI, Professional Products 75mm TB and Plenum, FRPP 4.10, 10.5x17 DD Bullits, Nitto 555R's
1/4 in 13.828 @ 99.13 "American muscle needs a healthy diet of Foreign rice."
thats like putting milk in to mix koolaid.... some things jsut shouldent be done
hahaha, that sounds disgusting, you probably shouldnt do it to your car!
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2007 Satin silver 4.0-"Sadie"- Dual Pypes Violators, JLT CAI and 93 bama race tune, motive 4.10 gears and FRPP T Lok BEST E.T.- 14.485 AT 94.1
1985 Regatta Blue 'vert 5.0 LX-"Sally" 87 5.0 motor, Holley 600 4bbl carb, edelbrock high rise intake, MSD ignition, 1.7 Roller Rockers, underdrive pulleys, A/C and smog delete,BBK O/R H-pipe, flowmaster American thunders. transformed from a 3.8 to a 5.0!
i've heard of old mechanics doing this to their cars and, figuring that the 3.8 isn't the most technologically advanced engine, i figured i would give it a try. i am now at 3 weeks with it in my oil and my engine sounds quieter, feels smoother, and from what i can see under the oil cap the block is cleaner.
reading about ATF in engine oil on the net i get very mixed ideas. some people think that it causes extreme damage and cannot be driven more than a mile before the engine explodes; go so far as to recommend having it towed to a garage, that sounds like a lot of money. others say they add it to every oil change and their cars have lasted 300k+ miles and runs like new before being sold, not destroyed. ive even read a story of one man who had his oil changed at a lube rack and the workers mistakenly used ATF; it wasn't found out for another 1000 miles when he pulled his dipstick to find it had red oil. some have argued that ATF is low detergent compared to engine oil because the tranny is sealed and cannot be contaminated. i know, however, that ATF is very high detergent because of the small passages in the auto; you simply can't afford to get them blocked with gunk. plus, ATF is still an oil and not some kind of concoction based on water or solvents. i've never heard of a damaged engine due to ATF in the oil. on the modern engine where oil pressure is used to operate various engine controls, such as variabe gate turbo solenoids or Ford's variable cam timing, i might not add it to my oil. these systems act up when the wrong viscosity of oil is used.
I started this thread to see what kind of responses i would get and hoped to find someone who has tried it themselves. and, in my cynical manor, i also wanted a good argument, but i was disappointed. maybe i'll try a different topic next time.
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1997 Blurple V6
Last edited by 97stang3.8; 08-16-2009 at 04:43 AM.
Reason: wanted to ramble some more
what if i use ATF in my engine oil? anyone who has spilled ATF on their garage floor knows it's like ice in summer time. let's say i don't want to use expensive synthetic oil and still want low friction, if i replace one quart of valvoline with mercon-V would there be any negative side affects?
Some engine seals are not made to handle tranny fluid. (it softens most rubbers) Using some just prior to an oil change doesn't seem to hurt any, but prolonged use and you will find your gaskets leaking.
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Ride On,
Noel
"I'll fix it or break it, Guaranteed!"
My Garage - 67 Mustang Coupe, 67 GTO, 67 Sprite, 72 Chevy PU, & Old Ford 8N.
ATF is very slippery stuff so... 
