ATF in crankcases-did I miss the memo?

[mudbogger]

I recently picked up another 250r from a seller in the Midwest, got some time recently to get it running, the usual rebuilding of carbs, bearings etc. TO my disbelief again when I drained the crankcase it was filled with ATF, my Tecate when I purchased that too had ATF in the crankcase, now I know the atf is thinner,but why am I seeing this a lot more then years past, did I miss the service bulletin?:crazy:

[harryredtrike]

some people swear by tranny fluid in the crankcase.it has good properties over motor oil.

[Dirtcrasher]

It absorbs water if you ever get any in there, other than that it seems far too thin to be a good gear oil but I'll set it shifts a bit slicker :D

EDIT - I remember reading in dirtbike/dirtrider or whatever it was that Ricky Johnson "supposedly" ran vegetable oil in his tranny :lol:

[Russell 350X]

I've run ATF before, I prefer BelRay Gearsaver 80W tho...

[mudbogger]

Stupid question, I can see the properties involving water, it is a friction reducer as well? How can the ATF lubricate the bearings and gears like oil? There properties are not similar.

[83ATC185]

i have run ATF in my trike, and in my car as well. the ATF is a detergent and helps clean carbon deposits and oil sludge. when i got my 185s, it wouldnt shift very good, the lever was sticking and it took a lot of force to put it in gear. i ran a quart of tranny fluid in it for about 4 hours maybe(on and off) and drained it and changed with a fresh quart of Pennzoil synthetic, rode for a few hours then changed it again. i could see chucks of oil sluge coming out of the crankcase. but it really fixed my shifting problem and it takes a longer time to darken up the oil. In a car, mix a quart of ATF with your oil, run for about 500 miles, then drain the tar like substance out of your oil pan. the ATF cleans all the oil passages out. i have yet to see any negative effects from running it in a motor for a short period of time

[mudbogger]

i have run ATF in my trike, and in my car as well. the ATF is a detergent and helps clean carbon deposits and oil sludge. when i got my 185s, it wouldnt shift very good, the lever was sticking and it took a lot of force to put it in gear. i ran a quart of tranny fluid in it for about 4 hours maybe(on and off) and drained it and changed with a fresh quart of Pennzoil synthetic, rode for a few hours then changed it again. i could see chucks of oil sluge coming out of the crankcase. but it really fixed my shifting problem and it takes a longer time to darken up the oil. In a car, mix a quart of ATF with your oil, run for about 500 miles, then drain the tar like substance out of your oil pan. the ATF cleans all the oil passages out. i have yet to see any negative effects from running it in a motor for a short period of time

Short time-there is the question of the day-I wonder why it is in there and how long it has been in there-both are/were used when purchased with limited knowledge on there maintenance prior to purchase.

[3wheelmecca]

ATF wicks heat away very well, but some types (F and H) have slip additives that ruin clutches. I would run Dex/Merc III in a bike to clean it out, then run Rotella T Diesel oil. Always worked for me. for cars, I usually put ATF down the intake if it has been sitting or taking in bad gas, cleans up valves well. ATF in oil for over 500 miles will rape your main and rod bearings, and if its a Chevy 216 Inline, you are screwed anyway, splash lubrication in bottom end.
In all, run Dex/Merc III for a few laps in anything. ATF works well in manual trannies as well.

[83ATC185]

what about mixing ATF with gas and running it in a trike?

[Ironbnder]

The clutch disk in a trike is basically the same type disk that are in an automatic transmission. As far as it lubricating bearings and gears, most transfer cases in trucks on the road today run ATF in them also, so I guess it does fine as a lubricant.

[Billy Golightly]

I've ran nothing but ATF type FA in the bottom ends of my 2 strokes (several 250Rs, 500R, Tri-Z) for about the past 6-7 years with no problems...the shift better, the engines rev quicker. I like it.


I would not run it in a 4 stroke engine.

[Vootie]

I too run atf type F in all my two strokes. The only issue I've ever had with it is it tends to leak out of worn seals easier than a thicker gear weight oil. I like the feel of the clutch with Type F over gear oil.

[0GravityMX]

use ATF +4 its much better

[Vootie]

use ATF +4 its much better

Interesting. What's better about it? Better feel, or just better for the tranny?

[3wheelmecca]

Better for transmission and clutch. Better on fiber plates.

[0GravityMX]

correct ^^, it has superior lubrication and friction properties. it was originaly designed as ATF 7076 for the 4speed A604\a606 automatic (now known as a 41te/42le) used in 90% of chrysler from wheel drive cars

[Dirtcrasher]

WOW, great to know and share with the 2 stroke guys! :beer

[3wheelmecca]

If you run it in T-5s or T-56 car transmissions, it is better on the synchronizers. Dont run it in a NV though.
It's hard to believe a hydraulic fluid actually has lubricating properties.

[0GravityMX]

the #1 best fluid ive found for AT's and 2strokes is Wolfs head brand Full synthetic universal ATF (its basically ATF +4 with more additives)

[harryredtrike]

what about mixing ATF with gas and running it in a trike?

i wouldnt do that.your not talking about a four stroke right?

[cr480r]

i have used it in several machines for several years.. with no issues or accelerated wear. Although it should be changed on more frequent intervals... I usually change it every other play ride, or every hard ride... its a cheaper way to flush clutch debris from the trans which i feel is important with no filter... If you search around the net you'll find alot of 2 stroke riders swear by it. Some argue that it cannot lube as well as oil, which it probably does not, but most find it provides plenty of protection, easier shifting in most cases, and the clutch plates love it... I dont know if i'd use it for endurance racing, hi- hp drags, or in a rare irreplacable machine, but i've seen it work well in several regular play machines of my own as well as many others, for a very long time.. ranging from 80-500cc's on both sand and dirt..

[mudbogger]

Well, you learn something new everyday-seems this is a topic that will help everyone.I might be old school, but I do like to try new stuff as well. I think I will try the ATF-4 in 1 of the rides soon.

[trikes4life]

wow i never would of thought, i have been running BelRay Gearsaver 80W for years now.

[83ATC185]

i wouldnt do that.your not talking about a four stroke right?

i was just thinking i mix 2 stroke oil in my 185s gas, i wonder what ATF would do??

[cr480r]

i was just thinking i mix 2 stroke oil in my 185s gas, i wonder what ATF would do??

may I ask why you use mixed gas in your 185?

[Russell 350X]

may I ask why you use mixed gas in your 185?

I was about to ask the same thing??? Why would you do that?

[Billy Golightly]

If you use premix in 4 strokes in *very* low quantities it can have good effects. More compression, better lubrication for the valve guide seals, etc. etc. But like, 100:1 or less. To the point where it really doesn't matter if you do it or not.

[cbx1170]

some 85W tranny oils are red in color. if ran for a while they prob would be thin like ATF. Fool ya.

[83ATC185]

If you use premix in 4 strokes in *very* low quantities it can have good effects. More compression, better lubrication for the valve guide seals, etc. etc. But like, 100:1 or less. To the point where it really doesn't matter if you do it or not.

ive been mixing mine 50:1. my grandfather used to race motorcycles back in the day and he said the above stated^ but he told me 50:1. its never caused any issues performance wise so i just do it now, kinda out of habit lol