My old boss swore by using ATF to free up a seized turbo actuator

Back when I was working at a shop in Spokane, my foreman told me to soak a stuck VGT actuator in automatic transmission fluid overnight. He said it worked better than any commercial penetrant. I tried it on a 6.7 Powerstroke that came in last month, left it soaking for a full 12 hours. Next morning, the actuator moved like it was brand new, no binding at all. Saved the customer from buying a whole new turbo assembly, which would have been over a grand. I still keep a little bottle of Dexron on my cart now just for that. Has anyone else found a weird fluid that works for a specific job like that? I'm curious if it's just an ATF thing or if other stuff works too.

3 comments

3 Comments

nancy27511d ago

Honestly, the ATF trick probably works because it's loaded with detergents. I've had decent luck with a 50/50 mix of acetone and old school power steering fluid for rust-frozen brake parts. The acetone cuts the gunk and the PSF leaves a little film behind.

wells.morgan11d ago

That old machinist's forum swears by the acetone and ATF mix too.

nancys9013h agoMost Upvoted

Power steering fluid is a new one for me. I thought that stuff was basically just hydraulic oil with some additives. It must have changed a lot since the last time I looked at a bottle.