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Tranny fluid used as engine oil?

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Old 08-30-2007, 04:39 PM
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Default Tranny fluid used as engine oil?

Years ago, using transmission fluid in engine crankcases was popular amoung tranmission rebuilders. I assume they did this since tranny fluid has some chemical additives that stabilize oil and promote clenzing.

Is this being done anymore?
Old 08-30-2007, 08:28 PM
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You can run some tranny fluid through your engine prior to changing the engine oil, but I wouldn't run it for too long though, maybe a hundred miles or so. Mainly it's used as a cleansing agent from what I understand, not too sure about stabilizing the oil.... maybe someone else will chime in
Old 08-30-2007, 08:52 PM
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I have actually see years ago racers use it in place of engine oil because its so thin and that reduces parasitic hp loss. I dont suggest it though . But it seems to work for them but then they rebuilt the engine every few races anyway , But it is very high detergent so probably would make a good cleaner before and oil change.
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Old 08-30-2007, 11:32 PM
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at a garage I used to work at there was this old guy that would bring a qaurt of tranny fluid with his oil everytime....Im wantin to say it was either a 2.6 or 3.1 gm engine and it had probly 300k on it ...he said he had always done it
Old 08-31-2007, 05:37 AM
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Originally Posted by 98RedBird
Mainly it's used as a cleansing agent from what I understand,
The poor man's flush.
I've seen it done, I don't think it's a great idea.
Old 08-31-2007, 09:27 AM
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Yeh, these guys used to use 100% fluid not a mix. I will say this. Their fluid (oil) remained cherry red in the engine and did not discolor much like conventional motor oil.

This was in the 1970's time period. This seemed to be very widespread amung all tranny rebuilders. One guy who was a pilot even used fluid in his private plane engine!

Wow, I guess he seriously trusted the stuff!

I can still remember the sweet smell of warm tranny fluid from those early days.




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