Transmission Fluid To Clean Engine Sludge: Is It Okay?

If you wish for your vehicle to last and your dream of having your engine operating and running nice and smoothly, then you should do a regular check-up and maintenance. And to have the longevity of your engine, the essential thing that you can do is have that good quality engine oil. The engine oil is known to be the lifeblood of all vehicle engines. 

The motor oil does the lubrication and the leaning of the internal engine parts. It will move with less friction. Motor oil will maintain the engine’s optimum operating temperature, and it will prevent your engine from overheating. 

If you do not want to have that clumpy issue with the engine oil, you have to do a regular oil change. If you do not do this, then your engine oil will get all clumpy, and it will stick together and clog your engine. This is called engine sludge. 

If you have a car and do not clean your engine sludge, that is bad for your vehicle. It can deliver significant damage to your engine, resulting in an expensive repair. 

So in this article, we will talk about whether it is okay for transmission fluid to clean your engine sludge. Let us get started.

Transmission Fluid To Clean Engine Sludge

Can You Use Transmission Fluid To Clean Engine Sludge?

The detergents that are in an automatic fluid will help fight sludge. And so some of them will add a small amount to the motor oil before they change it to clean, build up accumulated deposit slips and dissolve sludge. Transmission fluid is not as effective in cleaning motor oil.

It might be okay to put transmission fluid into your engine because it might clean it out a little bit. The crankcase is filled with a lot of fluid, and it is not a good thing. The transmission fluid is very effective in cleaning carbon. 

The spray carb cleaner on the fluid will sit for two days if it is cold. The transmission fluid has detergents, and it will help fight sludge. Automatic transmission fluid has detergents, and it will help fight sludge.

How Do I Clean Sludge Out Of My Engine?

The engine sludge is because of a low operating temperature, a poorly designed crankcase ventilation system, internal water leaks, crankshaft induced cavitation, and can accumulate over time. Engine sludge can cause poor performance of the engine. 

This can happen if you do not change your engine oil regularly. These are the steps you can take.

1. Park Your Vehicle On A Flat Ground

If you are working under your vehicle, you can park your vehicle on hard and level ground after blocking the rear wheels so that your vehicle will not move.

2. Jack Up Your Vehicle

If you are done parking, you have to jack it using a flood jack or use a hydraulic jack to slide under your vehicle and then carry out your work easily.

3. Drain The Old Oil

Take your garage layboard and then slide it underneath your car. Put the oil catch pan under the engine sump. Take the correct socket wrench, and the ratchet handle to lose the sump. 

The old oil will drain through the catch pan. After draining the old oil, guide the sump and snug it with your wrench. Dispose of the old oil.

4. Fill Your Engine With Diesel Or Kerosene Instead Of Motor Oil

Fill your engine with a mix of diesel and engine oil. For example, if your car uses 5 liters of motor oil, you have to pour 4 liters of diesel and a liter of motor oil.

5. Run Your Engine

Let your vehicle run for five to ten minutes. But do not drive the vehicle yet. Do not engage your gears. 

Do not rev the engine if it can result in engine tear down between components. You have to use your diesel and motor oil, but you will not start your vehicle after the homemade flush. Go over to your fuse box and then remove the fuel pump relay. 

Turn the ignition key and make sure that your vehicle will not start. Crank the engine many times. Do this fifty to one hundred times. 

6. Drain Out The Homemade Flush

Take your oil catch pan and then slide it under the vehicle. Put the catch pan directly under the sump. Take off the bolt in the sump and then allow the homemade flush to drain.

7. Replace The Oil Filter

The oil filter must be removed. Take the oil filter, feed it with quality engine oil and then take it by hand.

8. Put A New Quality Motor Oil Into The Engine

Have a recommended oil and then pour it into the engine, start it, and run it for about thirty seconds. Please turn it off and then gauge the oil level. You have to make sure that the oil is gauged.

Will Transmission Fluid Hurt Your Engine?

Not every type is compatible with additive packages in oils today. The transmission fluid might not belong to your engine. It might not hurt your engine, or it might hurt your engine.

Summary

In summary, people keep asking if transmission fluid will clean engine sludge. Engine sludge happens if you do not change your oil regularly. 

Some people are using transmission fluid in cleaning engine sludge. However, some people might not clean it, and they are not using it.

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Image credits – Canva

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My name is Hank, and I've been in the automotive industry for 27 years. I've been working in my own auto repair shop for the last 13 years, and now I want to help you here, on my blog. Let me know if you have any questions. Read more