Ray,
I've never used the ATF cleaning method myself, but have heard positive
reports.
I have used other methods though - the best of which is a product from Kano
Laboratories called Kreen. The recommended process (from memory) with Kreen
is to add a pint or so to clean oil (and a pint or so to the gas tank) and
run the engine a while - stop the engine and let it cool - pull the plugs a
put a couple tablespoon into each cylinder - turn the engine over a few
times by hand to distribute the Kreen in the cylinders - re-install the
plugs - let sit overnight - start the engine and bring to operating temp. -
and finally change the oil again. Works very well in my experience, but
whether it's a better product or just a better process I couldn't say.
One note of caution: I had been told to be cautious by "oldsters" when doing
any sort of engine flush on higher mileage engines that it might do more
harm than good. This advice I of course completely ignored and never had a
problem, until...
I have a 1977 F-100 with a 351M and approximately 80,000 original miles. I'm
the second owner and purchased it from the proverbial "little old man" who
bought it new and probably never drove it over 45mph. About 10,000 miles
into owning the truck (during which time it had run beautifully) I decided
to do a motor flush. Within 500 miles of doing the flush my lifters started
getting noisy - within another 500 miles my hot oil pressure began to drop
alarmingly - another 500 miles and she'd ceased to run.
A preliminary tear down revealed massive amounts of carbon/sludge that had
broken loose during the flush and clogged first lifter bores, then the oil
pump pick-up screen, then finally main oil passages. Needless to say I'm
currently planning a total rebuild - hoping for 300+ hp when I'm done... :)
Anyway, the point of this is IF the motor is sufficiently sludged up doing a
flush may cost you the engine. I've done a number of flushes and only had a
problem this one time, but in future I'll probably always pull a valve cover
or the like and evaluate risk first.
My $.02.
Bruce S. Ayling
> -----Original Message-----
> From: shop-talk-owner@autox.team.net
> [mailto:shop-talk-owner@autox.team.net]On Behalf Of Ray Bahr
> Sent: Saturday, September 06, 2003 3:29 PM
> To: shop-talk@autox.team.net
> Subject: Question about cleaning engines?
>
>
>
> Hi All,
>
> Does anyone have any first hand experience with running a
> quart of ATF with
> engine oil to help clean some crud out of the engine - or is
> that an urban
> legend? Is there something else that might be better?
>
> TIA
>
> Ray
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