More things to ponder...filter change question???

[Crankme69]

Many years ago I worked at the City municipal garage here were I live for a summer job.

The diesel mechanic there was an older gent & a great guy. Great opportunity for a youngster (that was me 30 yrs ago lol) to gain some knowledge.

Even without thinking about it, yesterday I changed out my fuel filter and did like I was taught back then by the older gent, emptied the fuel filter canister with the Mrs best turkey baster (shoos don't tell her lol) and then cleaned it out with paper towels, not much stuff in there but some small particles that ya would not want to leave in.

So finally getting to my point, without even giving it any thoughts to what this great group :grouphug: of folks here have learned me, I filled my filter canister with trans fluid type F, just like I was taught nearly 30 yrs ago. Then I slowly inserted the new filter & then pulled it up a tad & topped the canister off with some PS white bottle after the new filter has a chance to soak it all up.

I have been doing this for about many miles yrs on my ole 7.3 in my signature, the older mechanic gent always suggested this helped clean out the injectors & fuel system on the rigs...

Am I the only one using Type F for fuel filter change Might I be subjecting my injectors or IP to something bad by doing this?

Both the newer 6.5 & my old 7.3 fire right up after this with very little noise or smoke...what say you am I fudging up by doing this?

 

[JiFaire]

Ford Tranny fluid in a Chevy? Sacrilege!

Seriously, your 7.4 IP didn't have an optic sensor in it like your DS4 does... there is a concern that the red ATF will stain the Optic sensor. Some guys have tried putting used ATF into their fuel and had issues, but that may have been due to contaminants.

I wouldn't recommend putting even new ATF into it, but I doubt it'll hurt it much, just every so often.

The reason (so I've been told by old Ford mechanics) for putting in the ATF with the old IDI 7.3l engines was to lube the injectors every filter change - but you can accomplish that with 2-stroke or 30wtND in your fuel, so I don't think I'd bother with the ATF, but that's just me..

By the way, cleaning out the Fm with the turkey baster (don't worry, I won't tell!) and rag is standard operating procedure around my trucks, too. Ya don't want any particulates either accumulating or making their way to your IP.

 

[schiker]

Well, if you have been doing it a long time its probably not killing your IP fast. Seems kinda thick shock to me and then it gets recirculated and rinsed out. For the IP too since only a portion of the fuel is injected and portion is recirculated during operation. I would be worried about the ATF attacking any water blocking chemical on the filter media????

I like to spray a little carb cleaner or brake cleaner (no residue cleaner) and wipe out with clean rag then blast out with air. Completely cleaning the bowl out is good practice in my opinion. Probably should wet the stem down on the filter manager but I haven't been doing it.

I think ATF is a pretty harsh solvent and probably does cut some crud. A little pour of diesel injector cleaner might be more appropriate. But not too much. But its going to get thinned out and recirculated anyway too so not sure how effective it is for a cleaner.

I think its recommended for gelled fuel.

I think regular filter maintenance and at least periodic heavy doses of a good diesel fuel injector cleaner to a low tank while filling (to wash down the filler neck and mix with new fuel) is probably more effective. As dosing for tank fill is more accurate ratio than filling filter manager. A regular schedule is probably better but fequency is dependant on many factors and personal choice. I will skip some tanks if I know I am going just drive it straight out on the freeway on a road trip.

I recently thought about something I did by chance. I filled up and regular dose of additive then drove home and parked the truck for a day or 3 and went out of town. I wonder if this allowed the additive to sit and work a while longer???

 

[Rodd]

Diesel pro from the place gave me a recipe for an IP lube/injector cleaning formula. He said to fab up an intake hose to the back side of the LP and stick the other end into a bucket that contains 1 gallon of diesel fuel, 1 bottle of standyne Jr injector cleaner, and 1 quart type f atf. Obviously you would want to blend well.