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My uncle swore by using ATF to free a stuck diesel injector
He told me to pull the injector, fill the cup with automatic transmission fluid, and let it sit overnight. I tried it on a 7.3 Powerstroke that came into the shop last week. After about 12 hours, I cranked it over and it fired right up, no more misfire. I was pretty shocked it worked that well, honestly. I always figured you needed a special solvent or just had to replace it. He said the detergents in the ATF break down the carbon better than diesel alone. Has anyone else tried this trick, or is there a better way you've found for a really stuck injector?
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faithn512mo ago
Old mechanics swear by that trick for a reason. The detergents in ATF are no joke for breaking up carbon. It's a cheap fix that beats buying a new injector right away. Just make sure you clean out all the ATF before you run the engine for long. It's not a permanent fix if the injector is truly worn out, but it can get you going.
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willow6722h ago
Wait, is this REALLY something that needs fixing with ATF? I mean, if your injector is that stuck, you're probably looking at a bigger problem than just carbon buildup. A 7.3 Powerstroke injector that's actually that frozen is likely toast anyway and ATF is just a bandaid. And honestly, I've seen more dry-stuck injectors from corrosion or mechanical damage than from carbon. You got lucky once, but that trick is more old wives tale than real fix in my experience.
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