1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

ATF treatment...cat killer?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-13-02, 04:33 PM
  #1  
Junior Member

Thread Starter
 
arrexeven's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Trawna, Ontario
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
ATF treatment...cat killer?

About to undertake the ATF treatment for the first time.

New cats installed on my 84 less than 1 year ago. Don't want to guck them up b4 my final emissions test next spring.

Is the ATF treatment a cat killer?
Old 03-13-02, 07:21 PM
  #2  
Special Dark

 
rxseven's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: oklahoma
Posts: 820
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
No, spark plug killer.
Old 03-13-02, 10:19 PM
  #3  
standard combustion

 
WackyRotary's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Twin Cities Minnesota
Posts: 1,374
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Why don't you take off the cat while doing the ATF tricK? Not hard unless your very lazy? Sure it will be loud, but what the hell? Do you live in a big city? If so, your going to be making a big smoke cloud, might as well be very loud? Then install new spark plugs afterwards, and call it a day...
Old 03-13-02, 11:02 PM
  #4  
Junior Member

Thread Starter
 
arrexeven's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Trawna, Ontario
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Exhaust manifold flange is slightly warped and I had a bitch of a time getting a proper seal when new cats installed. Would rather not open up that can of worms until ready to go with headers, cat free and free flowing exhaust...so I ask again...does the ATF gum up the cats?
Old 03-14-02, 01:36 PM
  #5  
Rotary Freak

 
hanman's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Peoria, IL
Posts: 1,779
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
arrexeven,
I did the ATF on my 86 Base model. When I got done my cats would glow red hot whenever I ran the car. I can't swear the ATF ruined the cats, but I have a reasonable suspicion that is what happened. Now, every time I do the ATF I disconnect the cats. They are too expensive to risk ruining. If you are going to risk it, make sure that you don't use too much ATF. It ignites in the exhaust system (don't ask how I know this), so the more you use the more likely it is that you will toast your cats.
Oh yeah, you will also be able to find any holes in your exhaust system, just look for the flames. My advice is to have a fire extinguisher handy.
of course that's just my opinion, I could be wrong,
hanman
Old 03-14-02, 03:48 PM
  #6  
standard combustion

 
WackyRotary's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Twin Cities Minnesota
Posts: 1,374
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
No Hanman, your damn right. Cats are designed for raw CO, HC, and O2 to work right. When ever you introduce other eliments like Heavy long strain molucules found in the Autotranny fluid, they will bond to the cat and make them clug out and become ineffective. The ATF trick is for people who don't have cats on only. OR take them off during this. Get a new gasket and reinstall them! ITs not hard....
Old 03-14-02, 07:14 PM
  #7  
smog nazi destroyer

 
riffraff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: california
Posts: 1,681
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
what about presilencers.?? are those kosher?
Old 03-14-02, 10:27 PM
  #8  
Right near Malloy

iTrader: (28)
 
Pele's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Behind a workbench, repairing FC Electronics.
Posts: 7,840
Received 509 Likes on 345 Posts
Switch to MMO
Old 03-15-02, 01:51 AM
  #9  
smog nazi destroyer

 
riffraff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: california
Posts: 1,681
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
mmo is the plugs?
Old 03-15-02, 10:43 AM
  #10  
Junior Member

Thread Starter
 
arrexeven's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Trawna, Ontario
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
So, Pele, I've heard a lot about MMO (short for Marv's Mystery Oil?). Are you saying that it works the same as ATF treatment, without damaging the cats?

Any idea if it's available in Canada?
Old 03-15-02, 11:59 AM
  #11  
Rotary Freak

 
hanman's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Peoria, IL
Posts: 1,779
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I would not do either one, ATF or MMO, without removing the cats. It's just too easy a job to risk ruining them.
I have not tried MMO, only the ATF. I have not had good success with it mainly because of the problem with car. I could tell on one of them that it did help compression.
If you have stuck apex's in the rotor, ATF will help. Bad side seals etc, it won't do a thing.
I know the ATF has detergents in it that help loosen the carbon crud from the rotor. This is what makes it work. If MMO has similar or same detergents then it would work the same way.
DISCONNECT THE CAT!.
just my opinion, I could be wrong,
hanman
Old 03-15-02, 12:32 PM
  #12  
It's Back!

 
Suparslinc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 1,049
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Let me try this again. I mentioned ATF and MMO are almost identical but the post didn't err post.
There was a long thread on this at mazspeed.com. someone actually ran through the chemical/ingredient list somehow by calling the man. or distributor. The results were posted and the ingredient lists look very similar.
I use ATF in the engine, MMO in the oil and fuel.
Old 03-15-02, 02:14 PM
  #13  
Junior Member

Thread Starter
 
arrexeven's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Trawna, Ontario
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The cats will come off. Hope the wonky manifold flange permits easy reconnection.

My own cats will be safe, but neighbourhood tabbies better hold on to their nads when I start this puppy up.
Old 03-15-02, 02:16 PM
  #14  
Junior Member

Thread Starter
 
arrexeven's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Trawna, Ontario
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Oh, another question...Should engine be warmed up or stone cold when the ATF goes in?
Old 03-15-02, 03:44 PM
  #15  
Senior Member

iTrader: (1)
 
Mark S's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: DFW
Posts: 381
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
Has anyone ever used amsoil power-foam to de-carbon their engine??
Old 03-15-02, 06:16 PM
  #16  
Rotary Freak

 
hanman's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Peoria, IL
Posts: 1,779
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
It doesnt' matter if it's hot or cold. But, it is much easier to work on when it's cold. Put the atf either in the carb, or in the leading plug holes.
hanman
Old 03-16-02, 02:17 PM
  #17  
EliteHardcoreCannuckSquad

 
smnc's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Acton, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 4,126
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Originally posted by arrexeven
So, Pele, I've heard a lot about MMO (short for Marv's Mystery Oil?). Are you saying that it works the same as ATF treatment, without damaging the cats?

Any idea if it's available in Canada?
Canadian Tire Sells it. It's in the fuel additive section, and comes in a little red bottle.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
trickster
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
25
07-01-23 04:40 PM
dradon03
Single Turbo RX-7's
8
09-18-15 05:57 AM
peejay
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
4
10-13-01 06:36 PM



Quick Reply: ATF treatment...cat killer?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:23 AM.