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WATER!!! Cheap Tech tip...

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by metalshapes, Jan 18, 2011.

  1. metalshapes
    Joined: Nov 18, 2002
    Posts: 11,138

    metalshapes
    Member

    This question comes up all the time...

    What to use to on an engine that is rusted stuck.


    Water.


    I've used it before on engines, and even on a set of rare aluminum drumbrakes that shoes rusted to the steel liners.

    With the drums , I just dunked the whole spindle in a barrel.
    ( and let it sit for a couple of days )

    And this weekend, I got another engine unstuck by using only water.

    Just poured it on top of the pistons, let it soak, and then I used a wooden dowel to tap on the pistons, untill I had enough movement so I could start to turn the crank back and forth with a wrench.

    The bores are pitted, and will have to be bored if I want to use this engine again.
    But at least I can turn it, so I can take it apart...

    I've mentioned this trick before, but I thought I'd mention it again.

    Because it works, and it leaves less off a mess than penitration oil ( if you have to use a lot of it.)

    Now that it turns, I did spray oil on it to keep it from seizing up again...
     
  2. big creep
    Joined: Feb 5, 2008
    Posts: 2,944

    big creep
    Member

    nice trick! thanks
     
  3. Francisco Plumbero
    Joined: May 6, 2010
    Posts: 2,533

    Francisco Plumbero
    Member
    from il.

    Universal solvent. Great tip.
     
  4. stude_trucks
    Joined: Sep 13, 2007
    Posts: 4,754

    stude_trucks
    Member

    OK, stop it now, that's too easy and convenient, can't really work.
     

  5. LANCE-SPEED
    Joined: Aug 10, 2006
    Posts: 2,259

    LANCE-SPEED
    Member

    Any particular water, Sparklets, Arrowhead? Mountain spring or distilled?
     
  6. AJofHollywood
    Joined: Oct 3, 2008
    Posts: 641

    AJofHollywood
    Member

    The ultimate cheap-trick. I believe it.
     
  7. metalshapes
    Joined: Nov 18, 2002
    Posts: 11,138

    metalshapes
    Member

    It does...

    But you have to use it before you use any penitration oil, because that will probably prevent the water from weakening the rust.

    Its a Tech Tip I read long time ago, here on the HAMB ( thank you to whoever posted that )

    If I remember correctly, he picked up the trick from an Old Timer who owned a Junk Yard...
     
  8. metalshapes
    Joined: Nov 18, 2002
    Posts: 11,138

    metalshapes
    Member

    I used tapwater...
     
  9. chigger
    Joined: Jan 30, 2009
    Posts: 169

    chigger
    Member

    Also use water on a running engine before rebuild.. Slowly pour water down carb with engine slightly revving, don't let it die. Makes piston clean-up lots easier.. Helps rid the carbon build-up.
     
  10. Diavolo
    Joined: Apr 1, 2009
    Posts: 824

    Diavolo
    Member

    OK, I'll try it next time. What do you dilute it with?

    (hee hee hee :p)
     
  11. LANCE-SPEED
    Joined: Aug 10, 2006
    Posts: 2,259

    LANCE-SPEED
    Member

    sorry i was tryin to be funny?????
     
  12. chaddilac
    Joined: Mar 21, 2006
    Posts: 14,021

    chaddilac
    Member

    The really cheap stuff!! :D
     
  13. woodienut
    Joined: Feb 17, 2009
    Posts: 349

    woodienut
    Member
    from So.Cal.

    Water? You mean the stuff Chicks mix with Whiskey? ...I'll be Damned!
     
  14. metalshapes
    Joined: Nov 18, 2002
    Posts: 11,138

    metalshapes
    Member

    I got the joke, but forgot to put in a smiley face...:D



    Just to give an indication of the condition of the engine.

    It last ran sometime in the '80s when it was parked out in the desert on somebody's property.

    The car showed evidence of being flooded ( dried up mud in the interior, trunk and enginebay.

    The engine was stuck when I pulled it, and it has sat as a mockup engine in my racecar.

    Unprotected without an intake or exhaust manifold, through the Monsoon.
     
  15. T Fritz
    Joined: Jul 1, 2010
    Posts: 176

    T Fritz
    Member

    Have lots of cold white water and some clear cold hard water. Will I need to make it a liquid again or can I work the pistons out with the hard water.
    Fritz
     
  16. AeroCraftsman
    Joined: Jul 29, 2004
    Posts: 330

    AeroCraftsman
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Don't let the word get out in California or there will a new law banning the stuff.

    Come to think of it, this DiHydogen Oxide is pretty dangerous. It's corrosive, damages millions of dollars worth of property every year, causes death if inhaled and lately it's been falling from the sky. If not banned, it at least needs to be highly regulated with testing and licences required to buy, sell or handle it in any way.

    Maybe I'll start the petition.......
     
  17. BEST. RESPONSE. EVER! ;) Somebody get this man 100 Internets out of petty cash! :D

    Wonder if we should start collecting and bottling acid-rain? That should work even faster! :eek:
     
  18. Trumped
    Joined: May 25, 2008
    Posts: 30

    Trumped
    Member

    Must have been the fluoride!
     
  19. dabirdguy
    Joined: Jun 23, 2005
    Posts: 2,404

    dabirdguy
    Member Emeritus

    I'd try chemicals like H2O first.
     
  20. woodienut
    Joined: Feb 17, 2009
    Posts: 349

    woodienut
    Member
    from So.Cal.

    Hey Tom, how's the weather? He He
     
  21. LANCE-SPEED
    Joined: Aug 10, 2006
    Posts: 2,259

    LANCE-SPEED
    Member

    DONT USE THE MEXICAN WATER:confused:
    (I put the lil face this time)
     
  22. M1Lover
    Joined: Aug 8, 2010
    Posts: 121

    M1Lover
    Member

    Beat me to it. Great minds....
     
  23. thunderbirdesq
    Joined: Feb 15, 2006
    Posts: 7,092

    thunderbirdesq
    Member

    I've been telling buddies of mine this for years regarding un-sticking rusted up brake drums, no one believes me. It does work! Old timer that owned a junkyard in my hometown turned me on to it.
     
  24. Dick's Beaters
    Joined: Apr 27, 2008
    Posts: 203

    Dick's Beaters
    Member

    Instantly thought of every Craigslist ad, ever.:rolleyes: Good tip though; now I can save the syrup for my pancakes.
     
  25. Yup, saved my 40 brakes and am going to soak a caddy 365 soon
     
  26. flatheadpete
    Joined: Oct 29, 2003
    Posts: 10,485

    flatheadpete
    Member
    from Burton, MI

    Huh....I'll be damned. Never thought of using fire to fight fire.....er sumthin like that.
     
  27. damn..... time to clean the keyboard again..... cripes that burns when it comes out your nose....
     
  28. T Fritz
    Joined: Jul 1, 2010
    Posts: 176

    T Fritz
    Member


    -43 at the falls this morning and Tower was -41
     
  29. Thanks for the tip , Hope I don't need it to unstick an engine any time soon,,,,,Sam
     
  30. Shaggy
    Joined: Mar 6, 2003
    Posts: 5,207

    Shaggy
    Member
    from Sultan, WA

    I dont have water in my shop, can i use beer?
     

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