Bad Fuel Oil

[MalteseFalcon]

By accident I put ATF instead of 2 stroke engine oil in an 18 liter container of gasoline . Can I use this fuel? or do I have to do something to it before using it other than throwing it away?

Thanks
Mario

[Pete7]

So you have put about 1/2 litre in. I would add the 2 stroke oil and just try it.

Pete

[hellosailor]

That would be my best guess also. I'm sure the manufacturer would err on the side of caution and say "throw it out" but ATF should burn pretty much the way way Marvel Mystery Oil and other additives would burn. So adding the usual heavier engine oil to make sure it is lubricated might give you a rich condition, might smoke a little, but should protect the engine just fine.

Just one man's opinion.

[mike d.]

Do not run the engine with that mix. ATf has no lubricity in the sense of 2 stroke oil. Add the 2 stroke oil as said before. The motor will smoke a lot, and you will probably have to decarbonize it when the tank is empty! The other alternative is to add Saefoam decarb to it when you add the 2 stroke oil! If you go to the bassboatcentral.com sight and go to general posts you can ask ChampionMan about it. He is a tech and should be able to give you a difinitve asnwer or streer you in the right direction!

[a64pilot]

ATF is essentially 10W oil with a lot of detergent additive. It has very poor lubricity, but has been used by many for years as a way to clean Diesel fuel injectors by adding it to Diesel fuel.
I would add the correct amount of 2 stroke oil and run it, it won't hurt anything, but you still need the 2 stroke oil for lubrication.

[boden36]

If you run with it , you are risking a large repair for the sake of a few dollars.
I would be putting it into the car with a full tank to dilute it, and start again with proper two stroke.

Regards,
Richard.

[Ex-Calif]

So - 5 gallons of gas at about $20 vs. potentially screwing up your $2,000 outboard.

Seriously - this is a no brainer...

[MalteseFalcon]

Well it is not $20 but Euros 30 which is almost $40 USD and the outboard I bought used for $600 USD in 2006

[LakeSuperior]

Originally Posted by MalteseFalcon

Well it is not $20 but Euros 30 which is almost $40 USD and the outboard I bought used for $600 USD in 2006

I paid 500 for my 3 HP Yamaha 15 years ago. It is costing me $500 for repair...new crank and bearings because of 2 salt water and 1 fresh water marinades.

A new 2.5 HP replacement is heavier and $1030 plus shipping. A 4 HP is $1600 plus shipping.

All that said, add required amount of 2 stroke oil and operate.

Cheers!

[sparrowhawk1]

If you have another 5 gallon jug put it in that and every time you fill your main tank up put a half gallon of it in and the normal 2 stroke oil

[a64pilot]

I wouldn't put it in an automobile with a catalytic converter, it won't hurt the engine, not sure if the Cat would like it or not though.

[kmacdonald]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

I wouldn't put it in an automobile with a catalytic converter, it won't hurt the engine, not sure if the Cat would like it or not though.

It would ruin the catalytic converter.

[Ex-Calif]

Imagine the guy at the fuel dock did this. You'd demand that he replace your fuel.

You screwed up. You owe yourself $40 worth of good fuel.

Seeing as mixing fluids is OK just throw it in the water tank. Probably won't kill you...

PS - Just don't be the guy in three weeks who posts a question about why his outboard is hard to start and won't run right.

[a64pilot]

Guys a 2% mix of ATF, 50 to 1 isn't going to hurt anything. Even much richer than 50 to 1 won't hurt
ATF when burned in an internal combustion engine will clean the combustion chamber.

[onestepcsy37]

Use it in your car, a gallon or so at a time. You can dilute it a lot more in a 20 gallon gas tank than a 3 gallon o/b tank. I regularly dump my left over 2 stroke mix in my car's tank.

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