[racemyZ32]

Hey guys, just wondering if anyone has tested the use of used ATF or engine oil as a substitute for diesel fuel, of mixing the two at a 50:50 ratio? I have read on other forums about the Powerstroke guys using any, i mean ANY kind of petroleum product in their tank and their truck funs just as good if not better than on diesel. Comments suggestions????

 

[chittychittybangbang]

It will work BUT it's dirty and hard on the pump because the pump and nozzles are designed to work at a certain viscosity w/clean fuel. All the wear metals floating in the used fluid aren't designed to go through the system. They will clog the cat and I don't know how well they will be carried out during combustion. You can use veggie oil too but it's not optimal for the health of the engine.

 

[tdi-guy]

I concur, it would be hard on the engine. It will also look like you have blown rings. You ever see those guys going down the road with a huge smelly cloud behind them? That would be you!

 

[racemyZ32]

http://www.dieselpowermag.com/tech/ford/0901dp_automatic_transmission_fluid_fuel/index.html

This is where I got the idea, now I know that used engine oil would be the worst due to it being pure carbon, but ATF with the right mixture would be a nice substitute. Of course filtering is key, but even then not every little particle would get caught - same with the diesel you buy at the station, one reason why I keep a filter in the trunk at all times. The biggest concern that I have is the part that the ATF, having a longer stand of hydrocarbon molecularly, I would definately need to do an EGR delete. Thanks for the input guys.

 

[vwottawa]

http://www.dieselpowermag.com/tech/ford/0901dp_automatic_transmission_fluid_fuel/index.html

...... Of course filtering is key, but even then not every little particle would get caught - same with the diesel you buy at the station, one reason why I keep a filter in the trunk at all times. ......

You mention carrying a filter in your trunk. Do you use this for refueling? If not how/when do you use it. I dont have one but am curious as to whether or not I need one.

 

[mrbiohazard]

Why take the risk for save 5liter on a tank ?

 

[racemyZ32]

I keep a fuel filter for the car in the trunk, so if it clogs when im on the road I won't be stuck; however if the trans-diesel works, i'm going to need a portable filter/pump set-up. I would prefer not to do this as my main setup would be a 55 gal drum with filter and pump, that way while its sitting there between tanks most of the sediment will settle to the bottom. The best thing going for me on this is where I work - I get the fluid from the waste oil of dynoed transmissions, it's as clear coming out of the dyno (which has a filter on the sump pump) as the new fluid going into one about to be tested on the dyno. If it was from a shop that I had no idea what was in it, I would do ALOT more filtering, settling, filtering again and then some.

And to reply to TDI-GUY - Currently I am running a 75% trans 25% diesel mix and there is no smoke at idle, just a hint of a whiteish smoke upon full throttle take off - before there was quite a bit of black coming out the pipe. The thing runs like a champ for 326,000 miles.

 

[Jim W]

Hey guys, just wondering if anyone has tested the use of used ATF or engine oil as a substitute for diesel fuel, of mixing the two at a 50:50 ratio? I have read on other forums about the Powerstroke guys using any, i mean ANY kind of petroleum product in their tank and their truck funs just as good if not better than on diesel. Comments suggestions????

I do not know what type of fuel system you have in your 99 Jetta, but I would not do this with the newer Common Rail HP fuel system.
The article you quote is on an older 7.3L powerstroke which has the HEUI fuel pump from Cat and mechanical injectors. These will tolerate a little abuse, but not much. On the newer Bosch common rail fuel system operating in the 26,000 to 30,000 PSI range (depending on engine manufactures requirements). The openings and spray pattern on a new modern day fuel injector cannot tolerate any type of contamination caused by debris.
This is why I have two fuel filters (5 and 2 Micron) on my Cummins and I would like to put another one on the Jetta. Cheapest insurance against injector failure.
Jim W.

 

[racemyZ32]

The 99 Jetta does not have a common rail system - it uses the Bosch mechanical fuel pump and currently I have put 4k on the car using a mixture of ATF, engine oil and hydraulic fluid. Mostly a 50% mix but sometimes 75+ of ATF w/diesel. The engine loves hydraulic fluid - little smoke when full throttle. 50% of ATF yields slightly more smoke at full throttle and at start-up. Anything higher then 75% to 100% ATF - constant smoke, heavy cloud when on the gas - no one tailgates.

Engine oil is a different story - the car was very hesitant, probably due to the thickness of the oil - no more engine oil mixes.