I have seen a few using ATF just to freshen up seals.

Is this a good thing to do from time to time?

Will it help add some compression, if the engine is old?

Does it do any harm, beside killing the neighbors with smoke?

 

Ok....

no

Only if the seals are sticking

It will destroy cats/plugs/o2 sensor and our trees.


What are you doing in the rx7 forum??? GLHs?? Man those things are unreliable just like a 7. Whats up with having 2 unreliable cars?

 

GLHS=Goes Like HELL;Sometimes

 

No. It can damge the oil seals and can do damage. Only do it as a last resort of if the engine is frozen from carbon.

 

Goes like Hell: Sheeeeeet!!!
Doesn't anyone remember the torque steer that caused it to accelerate(rather quickly) into a tree/pole/or anything in the way

I respect the 'S'. Those were a riot back then. Too bad they don't make cheap fast cars like that anymore. White knuckle death grip FUN!

 

ok... so what is a GLHS??? anyone..?? please explain to those born AFTER 1980... lol....

 

it stands for Goes Like Hell Somemore.

It a modified car built by Dodge and modified by Carrol Shelby.

Its a very fast car. I own #0867.

It runs into the deep 11,s right around 120 mph. Parts are super cheap and you can get them anywhere. The car is very reliable and been flawless for years.

So anyway, ATF is not good to do unless needed?

 

That's right...Only if needed.

 

ATF doesn't freshen anything up. All it does is help dissolve/remove/loosen carbon buildup. To work properly, you would need to soak for 24hrs+. And, you don't need to use ATF. You could use just about any strong solvent(FI cleaner)..... It is also a PITA to do correctly. Remove plugs, slowly rotate engine(wrench on crank/pulley/flywheel/roll car...) with CAS & fuel pump disconnected. Squirt fluid at Apex Seal/rotor/into engine. Some people actually rotate engine backwards to allow the fluid(gravity helps) to clean both sides.
I would only do it if you have a NOSTART condition or if selling the car. You also will need to change the spark plugs, oil, and clean the o2 sensor. And, when you start your car with the ATF in it, every fire department will rush to your house. I caused traffic for several miles. Can you say smoke screen The Saint and 007 would be proud!

Otherwise, just prevent carbon from building up in the first place by:
Run to redline at least once before pulling into driveway.
Never shut of engine cold.
Use quality name brand gas.
Use a bottle of FI cleaner often.
Get a professional topend/FI/decarbon every 25-30k miles.
Convert to premix(if option exists).
Change engine oil more frequently than 2500miles. Everyone says 3000mile oil changes are OK. My oil smells/looks like *&%$ after 1500-2000 miles. Injecting dirty saturated oil is probably one of the causes of carbon buildup. Plus, nonsynths are really cheap.
Do not use synthetic engine oil. It does not burn as easily and could add to the problem if you drive like a wimp and make lots of short trips.

GLH and GLHS--Mad scientist Shelby at work!
A bunch of seriously modded Dodge Chargers and Omnis.
Here is an omni pic:
http://www.lucasviking.com/shelby/articles/sc95109.htm
Here is a Charger pic:
http://www.lucasviking.com/shelby/articles/mp8718.htm
Both:
http://www.auto-enthusiast.com/Shelb...helby_glhs.htm

 

Thanks for all the advice.

I know a little bit about RX7s.

I have owned 5 of them over the past years.

2 of the nicers ones, was #001 TKT built by Cameron Worth. He actually cried when we drove it down to his shop in Ft Lauderdale. He said I remember this car" sniff, sniff"

I also owned a T2 Jspec, with custom turbo and manifold.

I passed these cars on to other freinds, and TKT #001 got wiped on night by a drunk driver and the Jspec T2 is currently being raced on local SCCA curcuits.

 

I did it once, "just to try it out".
I didn't gain anything from doing it.

So my rule of thumb is that if your engine is running right just keep on driving it w/o the doing the ATF trick.

If the engine hasn't ran or turned over for a few months then put in a bit of ATF to help it loosen up the apex seals.

 

if people are worried about the detergents and stuff causing problems then use water. if you doa search theres a thread about using water. its pretty simple, and ima do it myself next time.

btw after i did atf i felt like i had a new engine. if your engine is a little weak give it a try.