ATF should work fine. I used Marvel Mystery Oil in my ZS for over a year and
now have been using it in the SU's for over two years, year round.
One note though. If your dampner chamber was empty it probably indicates the
O-ring at the bottom is worn/cut and leaking. The fix is not too difficult.
Check the archives or I can post the repair.
Mike
'79B
----- Original Message -----
From: <Aeseeyou@aol.com>
To: <mgs@autox.team.net>
Sent: Thursday, May 27, 2004 9:54 AM
Subject: Use of ATF in place of Dashpot oil in Z-S carb.
> Hi,
> I was having a heck of a time trying to get a smooth throttle response
when
> taking off from a stop sign in 1st gear. I finally figured it out that the
> throttle damper was probably dry or low on oil. So I unscrewed the black
plastic
> cap and carefully lifted the cap, rod & damper (all 1 assembly) out of the
Z-S
> carb (1978 MGB) then after the entire cap & damper had been pulled out I
> carefully put it (cap & damper) back in, there was absolutely NO
resistence when I
> pushed the damper in. Having been told that this indicated that there was
> little or no oil in the chamber I called my pal and asked our club
President Don
> Cole (who just happens to be an excellent auto mechanic, by the way!)
about
> what type of oil I should put in the top of the damper opening since I
didn't
> have any of the Zenith-Stromberg or S-U oil. He said that ATF could be
used in
> place of the S-U type oil that is sold in the major parts dealers
catalogs. So I
> put in about a 1/4 teaspoon (maybe less) and Viola! There was now strong
> resistance when I pushed the cap and damper in. I then screwed the black
plastic
> cap back on. Now, the throttle response is smooth although I'm sure that a
> tune-up (clean or replace the spark plugs, etc.) is going to be next. I
just
> thought I'd write to tell you the hint about being able to use ATF
(automatic
> transmission fluid) in the throttle damper chamber, in lieu of having the
> Zenith-Stromberg Dashpot oil, an excellent product, by the way, which
costs approx.
> $8.00 plus S & H for a 125 ml. an amount that should last you a long time
if used
> normally. But, like I said earlier ATF (or power steering fluid) will also
> work if that's all you can find. Any comments?
> Albert Escalante, owner 1978 MGB roadster
> The Central Coast British Car Club (CA.)
> Ventura, Calif. (www.ccbcc.org)
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