Oil for breaking your nuts!

[Reiver]

Machinist's Workshop Mag recently published some information on various penetrating oils that I found very interesting. The magazine reports they tested penetrates for break out torque on rusted nuts. They are below, as forwarded by an ex-student and professional machinist. They arranged a subjective test of all the popular penetrates with the control being the torque required to remove the nut from a "scientifically rusted" environment.


Penetrating oils Average torque to loosen

No Oil used ................... 516 pounds

WD-40 ...................... ... 238 pounds

PB Blaster .................... 214 pounds

Liquid Wrench ...............127 pounds

Kano Kroil .................... 106 pounds

ATF.................................53 pounds

Power Steering Fluid.........51 pounds

[SilberUrS6]

Originally Posted by Reiver

Machinist's Workshop Mag recently published some information on various penetrating oils that I found very interesting. The magazine reports they tested penetrates for break out torque on rusted nuts. They are below, as forwarded by an ex-student and professional machinist. They arranged a subjective test of all the popular penetrates with the control being the torque required to remove the nut from a "scientifically rusted" environment.


Penetrating oils Average torque to loosen

No Oil used ................... 516 pounds

WD-40 ...................... ... 238 pounds

PB Blaster .................... 214 pounds

Liquid Wrench ...............127 pounds

Kano Kroil .................... 106 pounds

ATF.................................53 pounds

Power Steering Fluid.........51 pounds

For about 15 years, I have used a 1:1 mix of ATF:Acetone. I have a small lab wash bottle that does a good job of putting the stuff where I need it. The acetone helps the ATF penetrate. An old, wise mechanic told me that the very first move in getting a stuck fastener free, after you've put some sort of penetrant on it, is to slightly *tighten* the fastener, then go the other way. I've made it a habit, and I haven't had to do any kind of crazy fastener removal tricks since.

[McLaren-TAG]

So a two dollar plastic syringe and that old bottle of power steering fluid bought in 2007 that's been sitting on the shelf since is the best solution for loosening tough nuts. Hmmm.

I'll keep that in mind.

[RWebb]

the term "average" implies a sample size > 1

I wonder what statistical analysis they did - if any?

[McLaren-TAG]

Originally Posted by RWebb

the term "average" implies a sample size > 1

I wonder what statistical analysis they did - if any?

Does it really matter to someone that's been wrestling for two days with a seized nut?

[dipso]

My nuts usually get loosened anywhere between 100 and 140 pounds. I can't imagine 516 pounds loosening my nuts
516 pounds would break my nuts clean off. Probably the stud too!

[fitchn]

It always matters, where are the error bars???

[Reiver]

Originally Posted by dipso

My nuts usually get loosened anywhere between 100 and 140 pounds. I can't imagine 516 pounds loosening my nuts
516 pounds would break my nuts clean off. Probably the stud too!

I'm with you...below 150lbs for sure....516 lbs would loosen more than my nuts....break my wrench or possible whiplash.

[dipso]

Originally Posted by Reiver

I'm with you...below 150lbs for sure....516 lbs would loosen more than my nuts....break my wrench or possible whiplash.

Knock it clean off the jackstands!

[redturbo911]

Originally Posted by dipso

my nuts usually get loosened anywhere between 100 and 140 pounds. I can't imagine 516 pounds loosening my nuts
516 pounds would break my nuts clean off. Probably the stud too!

priceless.

[SilberUrS6]

Originally Posted by dipso

Knock it clean off the jackstands!

^^^this

[SCadaddle]

I had read this a few months ago about mixing 1:1 ATF and Acetone as a penetrating oil for rusty fasteners.
Mixed a small batch in a glass jar. Shake well. In less than a minute you have the next best thing to an undrinkable "black and tan". Absolute seperation. So we shook it up well and applied it to the 4 rusty nuts on a Type 1 VW muffler to cylinder head connection on one side of the engine, and Kano Kroil (THE gold standard) on the same nuts on the other side of the engine.
An hour later in walks Bill the Machinist. In a true "blind test" we handed Bill the wrench. The clear winner.....Kano Kroil.

[Reiver]

not mine but another opinion.....

I use this stuff for all the hard work on my '99 Suburban.

I used it on all the exhaust nuts on the 911 without breakage. If something is really stuck, I apply the 50/50 mix, let it set overnight, then apply some heat via MAPP gas. Works like a charm.

The Acetone is very light and acts as a carrier by pulling the ATF down the threads. I've looked at some of the nuts/bolts I've pulled apart and it appears that the mixture will penetrate down about 5+ threads.

It is cheap and effective. I don't waste money on PB Blaster any more.

[SCadaddle]

My "brush with greatness" after sending the Late Great Harry Pellow a can of Aerokroil:

[Reiver]

Start sending out cheap ATF...you'll get more letters! He was trying to get you as a customer too wasn't he lol.

[howard freeman]

Originally Posted by SCadaddle

My "brush with greatness" after sending the Late Great Harry Pellow a can of Aerokroil:

Toofus !
H.

[Brandon-FL]

The British car guys call the 50/50 mix of ATF and acetone "weasel piss". I keep a travel-sized hair spray pump bottle of it in the garage and over the years it has saved me some busted knuckles.

[kodioneill]

Boy the ATF acetone stuff stinks something awful.

[Reiver]

Originally Posted by kodioneill

Boy the ATF acetone stuff stinks something awful.

Damn, forgot to say you are not to apply it as cologne....sorry.....

[SilberUrS6]

Originally Posted by kodioneill

Boy the ATF acetone stuff stinks something awful.

Let me say - PSF:acetone 1:1 does not smell much better.