Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

having a bit of trouble....adjuster is rusted solid in engine mount alex had some good advice [thanks alex!]
flooded with wd40 and trying to 'work' it free, but I'm a bit scared of overdoing it and shearing it off.....I presume the use of heat in that area is a no ,no, due to proximity of fuel lines, etc..

so, anybody 'been there, done that'......?

I take it you have undone the locking nut?

John

hi john
that's seized as well!!!!
fred

WD40 isn't much good as a release agent. Plus Gas is much better - can you still get it in UK?

Otherwise a 50-50 mix of Acetone and Auto transmission fluid, shake well, and apply in a spray bottle.

get a big copper head soldering iron, heat up and apply?

No muffle stove? - use the gas hob while the missus is watching Strictly

thanks guys.....only just heard of plus gas, but have now ordered some from ebay.....
fingers crossed....
fred

just had a thought about getting some heat in.......how about some caustic soda wrapped in some cloth around the
threads, and a few drops of water......??????

Soak it in cola. Perhaps wrap in a rag soaked in Coke. Always great for removing rust (much better than drinking the stuff!!!)

yeah......coke could work but maybe not so good at penetration......[no innuendo intended.... ]
fred

try PB Blaster penetrating oil. The best. It really works.
Eric
S1

ecamiel wrote:try PB Blaster penetrating oil. The best. It really works.
Eric
S1

He's over the pond, don't think it's sold there.

correct!
however, I think you CAN get some sent from USA, at a price.......
will give plusgas a try, if no luck might fork out for pb blaster ..!
fred

This is interesting:

"The April/May 2007 edition of Machinist's Workshop did a test of
penetrating oils where they measured the force required to loosen
rusty test devices. Buy the issue if you want to see how they did the
test. The results reported were interesting. The lower the number of
pounds the better. Mighty interesting results for simple acetone and
tranny fluid!

Penetrating oil . Average load .. Price per fluid ounce
None ................. 516 pounds .
WD-40 .............. 238 pounds .. $0.25
PB Blaster ......... 214 pounds .. $0.35
Liquid Wrench ... 127 pounds .. $0.21
Kano Kroil ........ 106 pounds .. $0.75
ATF-Acetone mix.. 53 pounds .. $0.10

The ATF-Acetone mix was a 50/50 mix (1 to 1 ratio)."

got to agree......that IS interesting!
I will definitely give it a try and report back!
thanks for taking the time to do the research!
fred

Was just about to order some acetone when I suddenly realised that is/was used for removing nail varnish/polish and if i remember rightly reacts with plastics/rubber....not wanting to spray it where it may damage flexible brake pipes,trunion bushes,fibreglass,ball-joint covers etc etc

Comments?

John

Very good point and a good word of caution. As in many things in life it's horses for courses so indiscriminate use could court disaster. It could still be useful as long as it's kept away from certain materials. I guess it wouldn't be prudent to store it in an old plastic bottle!!