So I was reading this old 1999 Super Street magazine and as part of their article “52 ways to save money” they had a section stating that if you ran ATF oil through the vacuum line (same procedure as using Seafoam) it will clean the engine since ATF contains cleaning detergents.
Now it gets me wondering if this age old method really works?
I know you can’t believe everything you see or read so i’d thought I ask
PS: I love old magazines in the pre-2000 era when Hondas were almost to their prime. Just got a box full of ImportTuner, HondaTunning, SuperStreet magazines for free and have been digesting the tips and tricks they did back in the day.
Myth #12 - Adding a quart of ATF the day before an oil change will clean your engine. ATF added to the motor oil will clean the engine due to the high levels of detergent in ATF.
Fact: ATF does not contain detergent chemistry. ATF does contain dispersants, which have properties similar to detergents. But ATF is not formulated to withstand the combustion environment inside the engine. Havoline recommends that you keep the fluids where they belong: motor oil in the crankcase, and automatic transmission fluid in the transmission.
-I guess back in 1999 things weren’t too throughly thoughtout and did things based on old wives tales. I suppose NOW we’re more intelligent and knowledged about which properties/detergents and percentage of content in oil can help motors.
Though you will get those that state that running ATF for 10 mins at idle or for X miles and then perform an oil change will also get you results.
I guess this goes along with all those other motor detergents…