will transmission fluid clean my engine if i run some thru it ?

Question

at an oil change then drain it an add fresh oil. anyone ever do this?also will it harm my engine if i do this?

Answer 1

Actually, if your lifters are 'clattering' A LITTLE, it may help, as tranny fluid is, after all, a type of hydraulic fluid. Although this is not the best idea(I have used it in times past),if used in very moderate quantities, it should not do any harm, but I would suggest that you use one of the engine cleaners that are manufactured for this purpose as they are specifically designed for this application. As a rule, tune up your engine, and, change your oil and filter every 2,000-3,000 miles, and use quality oil and filters, and you should enjoy many, many miles of happy driving. I have gotten well over 200,000 miles out of many vehicles, and, over 350,000 miles out of at least three vehicles before selling them,( as an automotive shop owner for years, I used to drive a lot for my customers, in addition to 'loner vehicles').I can tell you from experience, this does work.

Answer 2

I am a mechanic, and I have seen a lot of people do this. It shouldn't hurt anything. It don't hurt rubber seals as there are many rubber seals in an automatic transmission. The question is; why would you use this in the first place? Rule #1 is, if you are uncertain of something, then don't do it! Transmission fluid is very high detergent oil, and does clean varnish out of the lifters and such, but it is not made for engines. Kerosene will also not harm your engine if you don't rev the engine up when you do it, and it will clean it, but I have heard of it cutting sludge loose and plugging the pick-up screen for the oil pump, so that is kind of iffy. If you will go to a parts store, and get a quart of some stuff called "Risilone" in a yellow can, run it in the engine for about a week, and change the oil & filter after that, you should have no problems. I have used this stuff for years, and I put over 300 thousand miles on a dodge challenger using this stuff. As soon as the lifters would begin to clatter, I would use a can, and they would be fine for another 6 months, and I would use another can, or bottle. Either way; this is made for that use, works great, and comes with instructions on how to do it correctly on the bottle.
Glad I could help you, Good Luck!!!

Answer 3

Depends how long and how hard you run the engine with transmission fluid in it. Remember that transmission fluid is formulated with an entirely different goal than engine oil. Engine oil has the lubricants that are needed to prevent metal to metal contact at high temperature. Transmission fluid has some lubrication capacity but it's main job is to provide fluid force to apply bands and clutches.
I would not do it to an engine of mine. If anything, I would change to a very thin motor oil (5W or so) Run the engine at idle until operating temperature is reached, drain the thin oil and fill with regular oil.

Answer 4

If I let my car or my truck go too long between oil changes I will drain the oil - then put in a gallon of kerosene -- run it for 3 to 5 minutes at idle then drain the kero - change the filter and refill with proper weight oil. seems to help a lot. Actually there isn't much difference in 5 weight motor oil and kero. I don't know anything about your car -- both my vehicles are big block GM V8's with hydraulic lifters.

Answer 5

do not do this it will destroy all of the engine seals ..even short term running like this will score your cylinder walls trans fluid will not protect moving parts that depend on your OILS lubrication..a real bad idea ..a friend of mine did this working at a jiffy lube he drained the oil and filled it back up with trans fluid [by shear stupidity] the guy drove it about 10 miles down the road and destroyed the engine beyond repair...yes he was fired!!!and yes jiffy lube bought him a new engine$$$$$$$$$

Answer 6

Please don't do this !!!! Tranny fluid makes rubber swell, imagine all the rubber attatched to or in your engine swelling 200%. !!! Go to your local parts store and buy a product specially made for this job, but if the engine has had somewhat regular oil changes, and hasn't been severely overheated, you shouldn't need to do this anyway. Don't do it!!!

Answer 7

transmission fluid might work, but you can get a product called sea foam at most automotive stores and its about a dollar less then a gallon of trany fluid

Answer 8

my friend told me about that alot time ago it may smoke a lit
but nuthing to get going about try some of the stuff it really work Engine Restorer & Lubricant that stuff works good
www.restoreusa.com

Answer 9

Yes, I've heard of this as well, but haven't personally done it. The tranny fluid helps break up varnishes and sludge very well. As it has cleaned my hands when they were greasy and grimey. Just don't drive with it, if you try. Good luck.