1. Welcome to Tundras.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tundra discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other Tundra owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Atf to clean a 5.7

Discussion in 'General Tundra Discussion' started by Ironside35, Apr 16, 2025.

  1. Apr 16, 2025 at 3:43 PM
    #1
    Ironside35

    Ironside35 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2018
    Member:
    #19750
    Messages:
    32
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2011 tundra rock warrior
    7" lift on 35x12.50r22
    Has anyone ever used about a half a quart of atf in there 5.7 and ran it for about 80 to 100 mile to clean out deposits.
     
  2. Apr 16, 2025 at 3:47 PM
    #2
    KNABORES

    KNABORES Sarcasm incoming

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2020
    Member:
    #40572
    Messages:
    13,718
    Gender:
    Male
    Arkansas
    Vehicle:
    2000 Limited TRD AC 4X4 Thunder Grey 278k miles. *SOLD* 2019 Limited TRD CM 4x4
    Bilstein 5100's on the forbidden notch Husky HD rear leafs 16x8 Eagle Alloy 187's with 285/75/16 MagnaFlow 3" flow through Pioneer touchscreen with backup camera Full interior and dash LED conversion Trailer brake controller with 7 pin Bedliner coat bumpers & trim ARE Mpulse topper - Rhino Vortex rack
    What deposits will ATF remove that a quality synthetic oil isn't?
     
    Corndog123 likes this.
  3. Apr 16, 2025 at 3:53 PM
    #3
    blackdemon_tt

    blackdemon_tt Battery Slayer

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2020
    Member:
    #43241
    Messages:
    3,038
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2007 5.7l Tundra DC SR5 long bed 2wd
    TRD Sway Bar, Roll covers USA bed cover
    Interesting question. In 300k, just used 0w20 synthetic, as of now no real issues. Lived in cold af climate and hot af climate
    Edit: used to use Mobil1 to 100k, then switched to Costco's Kirklan brand.
     
  4. Apr 16, 2025 at 4:07 PM
    #4
    Ironside35

    Ironside35 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2018
    Member:
    #19750
    Messages:
    32
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2011 tundra rock warrior
    7" lift on 35x12.50r22
    I have been using semi synthetic on my 2011. I think the chain tensioner is sticking when it's cold. Engine rattles till warmed up.
     
  5. Apr 16, 2025 at 4:14 PM
    #5
    blackdemon_tt

    blackdemon_tt Battery Slayer

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2020
    Member:
    #43241
    Messages:
    3,038
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2007 5.7l Tundra DC SR5 long bed 2wd
    TRD Sway Bar, Roll covers USA bed cover
    hefty price for them replacements.
     
  6. Apr 16, 2025 at 4:15 PM
    #6
    Ironside35

    Ironside35 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2018
    Member:
    #19750
    Messages:
    32
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2011 tundra rock warrior
    7" lift on 35x12.50r22
    They don't look hard to replace.
     
  7. Apr 16, 2025 at 4:16 PM
    #7
    blackdemon_tt

    blackdemon_tt Battery Slayer

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2020
    Member:
    #43241
    Messages:
    3,038
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2007 5.7l Tundra DC SR5 long bed 2wd
    TRD Sway Bar, Roll covers USA bed cover
    Timing is the real issue.
     
  8. Apr 16, 2025 at 4:24 PM
    #8
    WhiteSR5

    WhiteSR5 New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 18, 2024
    Member:
    #124457
    Messages:
    142
    SC
    Vehicle:
    2021 DC SR5 4x4 (guess the color)
    ATF is closer to hydraulic fluid than motor oil.

    Please don’t. There are specific engine oils designed for cleaning, but they have to be used following directions because they can overwhelm the oil filter putting in bypass mode. At that point, you are circulating unfiltered oil.

    You would be better served running a good high-mileage full synthetic oil at moderate intervals.

    Jury is still out on Valvoline Restore & Protect as to whether it is revolutionary new technology or marketing hype.
     
  9. Apr 17, 2025 at 3:30 AM
    #9
    Corndog123

    Corndog123 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2024
    Member:
    #121073
    Messages:
    441
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Sam
    Tennessee
    Vehicle:
    2014 SR5 Tundra Crewmax 4wheel drive 5.7
    Rough Country suspension, 305s, ARB bumper, light bar, Smittybuilt 10k winch. XD Buck 25 rims
    Yep, that's some really good oil right there. I've been using O'Reillys synthetic 0w20. Seems to also be very good oil.
     
  10. Apr 17, 2025 at 12:17 PM
    #10
    Ironside35

    Ironside35 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2018
    Member:
    #19750
    Messages:
    32
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2011 tundra rock warrior
    7" lift on 35x12.50r22
    I would change to a full synthetic, but I have been seeing other threads and videos saying full synthetic will eat away at the sealer on the cam towers.
     
  11. Apr 17, 2025 at 12:18 PM
    #11
    Ironside35

    Ironside35 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2018
    Member:
    #19750
    Messages:
    32
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2011 tundra rock warrior
    7" lift on 35x12.50r22
    WhiteSR5 that is the answer I was looking for. So yes I won't be doing atf. Thank you for that reply.
     
  12. Apr 17, 2025 at 3:41 PM
    #12
    blenton

    blenton New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2022
    Member:
    #80740
    Messages:
    2,785
    I would forego using ATF as a cleaner - no real benefit compared to modern oil additives and formulations.

    Valvoline makes a new product - Restore and Protect - that is supposed to clean out the engine over the course of 4 oil changes. High Performance Lubricants makes an engine cleaner that works over the course of 1-2k miles that comes in a single quart the that you simply add to your oil (at a specific ratio) and drive until your next oil change. Both are quality products that would be unobtrusive.

    I wouldn't trust flushes or quick acting cleaners, personally. It would seem to me that they could potentially cause lubrication issues.

    My '13 is also exhibiting timing chain clatter from the tensioner when cold. Runs like a champ when warm. The dealer gave me an FU price to R&R after telling me it was nothing to worry about a year ago. I tried both the Valvoline R&P and HPL cleaners; both improved the condition for a while, but it returns as the oil gets more miles on it. Not saying the cleaner won't work or is useless, but don't get your hopes up on the tensioner, unfortunately.

    As for synthetics and leaking seals - that's all hogwash shade tree mechanics tales from the 70's. I've swapped fluids in aging vehicles from full conventional to full synthetic with nary an extra drop. Modern seals are quite tolerant; modern synthetics will only help. IMO, part of the stigma around synthetics causing leaks comes from old leaky motors where crud and gunk built enough of a dam to curb existing leaks; because synthetics typically have a better formulation and additive package - including cleaning addtitives and the simple fact that esters are good cleaners - those cruddied up leaks get cleaned and simply start leaking again. Otherwise, your vehicle should have zero issues running a synthetic and should only thank you in the long run. My opinion based on my experience.
     
    ColoradoTJ and Corndog123 like this.
  13. Apr 17, 2025 at 6:25 PM
    #13
    Ironside35

    Ironside35 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2018
    Member:
    #19750
    Messages:
    32
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2011 tundra rock warrior
    7" lift on 35x12.50r22
    Blenton what a great write up. Thank you for the information.
     
    ColoradoTJ likes this.
  14. Apr 17, 2025 at 7:57 PM
    #14
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    Member:
    #2766
    Messages:
    40,232
    Gender:
    Male
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    LML 3500HD, Roush Mustang, Jeep Crawler
    Calibrated Power 5 Tune pack, Allison 1000 tune, PPE deep trans pan, Cold/Hot CAC pipes, Banks CAI, PCV reroute, resonator delete, S&B 62 gal fuel tank, B&W GN hitch
    ATF is a high deterrent oil. Next time you have that deep greasy black oil on your hands, put a little bit of atf in your palm and rub your hands together. Cleans really well. Expensive way to clean your hands.

    I have known a few people do this on older engines that were all clogged up. As you probably remember, these old engines were not as tight of tolerances as the modern motor.

    They would never run the engine under load. They would idle the motor for 10-15 minutes, drain, refill with flushing oil, change oil filter. Idle for 10-15 minutes and repeat.

    I would not even think about doing this with modern engines or with today's really good oil products available.
     
    rouxster70, Trooper2, WILLINH and 3 others like this.
  15. Apr 18, 2025 at 12:36 PM
    #15
    Ironside35

    Ironside35 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2018
    Member:
    #19750
    Messages:
    32
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2011 tundra rock warrior
    7" lift on 35x12.50r22
    Blenton I hit up HPL today on a phone call. Thanks again for the information.
     
    ColoradoTJ and blenton like this.
  16. Apr 19, 2025 at 9:33 PM
    #16
    Tim98TA

    Tim98TA New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 23, 2020
    Member:
    #55274
    Messages:
    57
    Gender:
    Male
    We use to add a qt of ATF to diesels, at fill up, back in the day when they had manual injector pumps. Kept them lubricated.
    We also use to flush equipment motors running 1/2 n 1/2 used oil and diesel fuel. Run for about 15-30 minutes, drain and fill as normal.
     
    ColoradoTJ[QUOTED] likes this.
  17. Apr 20, 2025 at 6:08 AM
    #17
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    Member:
    #2766
    Messages:
    40,232
    Gender:
    Male
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    LML 3500HD, Roush Mustang, Jeep Crawler
    Calibrated Power 5 Tune pack, Allison 1000 tune, PPE deep trans pan, Cold/Hot CAC pipes, Banks CAI, PCV reroute, resonator delete, S&B 62 gal fuel tank, B&W GN hitch
    Yep, the good 'ol days of low pressure mechanical injection systems. I knew people that would do the same with their Cummins 12v. In today's common rail injection systems, 39000 psi would do a lot of damage.
     
  18. Apr 20, 2025 at 2:42 PM
    #18
    rouxster70

    rouxster70 New Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2024
    Member:
    #116395
    Messages:
    76
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    04ac2wdv65spd
    I’ve added marvel mystery oil and ran motor 10minutes. Then drain and fill with new filter
     

Products Discussed in

To Top