ATF through the intake

[40th GT]

This seems like one of those old hot rodder tricks and I'm wondering if this is safe to do or not. I ask because I don't have any Seafoam handy, but I do have some MERCON at my disposal. Soo, can I use this stuff through a vacuum line without worries?

 

[1LowGT]

I wouldnt,just wait and order seafoam,its approved, atf isnt,dont see it turning out good with cats,

 

[Superhereaux]

i wouldn't either







why would anyone do that to begin with?

 

[sbelyo]

i wouldn't either, why would anyone do that to begin with?

ATF has detergents in it. my guess is the theory behind it is to disolve the carbon with the detergent.

I would think it may do that but foul the plugs and cats in the process.

 

[AdRock]

I used atf on my maverick back in the early 90's. Used sparingly it didn't hurt anything. HOWEVER, I wouldn't do it again. Wait for the SeaFoam man.

 

[Dragstr05]

Dont know that I would put it through the intake, but the instructor I just had for automatic's talked about mixing a small amount of ATF with your oil when you change it. He said about half a quart. I trust what he says, but I'm not sure I would do it. He said that the ATF will clean the engine as it cycles through because of the detergents in it. He said he did pull of a head on a car (I think it was his) for a blown gasket, and the tops of the pistons were clean as can be, as well as under the valve covers.

 

[1LowGT]

atf is a wicked good cleaner but with the cats and a few other things i wouldnt,but yes in the engine oil about 500 miles before change thats ok but just a half quart,if your engine is sludgy,i however dont have a sludgy engine because i CHANGE THE OIL

 

[Dragstr05]

I never said you didnt change your oil, but you will still have some carbon buildup, which is part of what seafoam is supposed to do - remove carbon deposits.

 

[flexiclese]

I have seen this done on carbuerated cars back in the day, old school guys used to trickle alittle atf down the throat of the carb. the car would then smoke like crazy and supposedly this would remove carbon from the combustion chambers and intake. I have done this on a couple of diesels I've owned and it worked well. Marvel Mystery also works for this.
But like previously stated by some one else, I can't see this method working well with catalytic converters.

 

[mrvax]

I never said you didnt change your oil, but you will still have some carbon buildup, which is part of what seafoam is supposed to do - remove carbon deposits.

And you don't want to remove those carbon deposits. Over time they can build up your compression ratio!

 

[tomustang]

And you don't want to remove those carbon deposits. Over time they can build up your compression ratio!

yeah and clog IMRC plates

 

[Disturbed One]

And you don't want to remove those carbon deposits. Over time they can build up your compression ratio!

It may build up your compression ratio but they you can get as much air/fuel in there due to the carbon build on on any kind of valves or pistons taking up all that room. If you have a buildup of carbo on the intake side of things that's restricting air flow into the motor to run better.

 

[trailblazr81]

It wont work as good as the Sea Foam, but it can be done. Ive seen people do it. For cleaning carbon and just as a gag thing. If you can get yer buddies keys and start his car/truck without him knowing or caring, suck a little ATF into the motor then watch him freak when he drives off later.

Ive also heard that with the ATF you first want the car warmed up because it has something to do with the cooler ATF cleaning out the carbon.

 

[closer9]

Same trick works with water. I do it occasionally on my carbureted engines... You have to have the engine at full temp. The cold water/ATF breaks up the hot carbon, and it passes through. If you do it you need to only suck up a small amount slowly and make sure it's on a port that gets to all cylinders (brake booster, PCV)...

and yes ATF in the oil before a change can help clean things up.

I actually just bought a can of SeaFoam yesterday. Never used it before, but figured I'd give it a try in my 390. It's about time for an oil change, so I'll be putting some down the intake (via brake port), some in the gas, and some in the crankcase...

 

[40th GT]

So you guys say that it may not be safe for the cats. Well what if I had catless exhaust and my plugs are due for a change anyway?

p.s. I'm going to stick with the tried and true Seafoam, but I just wanted to ask out of curiosity. Maybe I can suck ATF thru the carb on the lawnmower engine..

 

[40th GT]

If you have a buildup of carbo on the intake side of things that's restricting air flow into the motor to run better.

So you're saying that carbon buildup, which reduces air flow, helps the engine run better? I always thought less air is always less power.

 

[trailblazr81]

Carbon build up bad. I think it was just typed up in a way thats confusing. More Air better. Whatever you can do to make the motor breath better.