What is a solvent?

SuperDave Thu Sep 27, 2012 9:59 am

In this (modeling) context a solvent is something capable of disolving something else. Water for example is a solvent as is acetone, paint thinner, lacquer thinner and a host of other examples.

If an engine is "seized" it became so while in operation very likely causing internal damage. (Overheating for example may seize an engine)

If it is "frozen" it became so by inactivity and a lack of maintenance. Typically these engines may be freed using solvents and mild heat to disolve castor oil residue and/or old congealed lubricants.

A case study:

To illustrate I recently purchased a bona fide New TD .051 that was frozen as tight as any model engine that I've ever seen. Having the correct tools I set forth with the Hoppe's and the mild heat.

With an hour's work I had the engine freed and all the parts removeable WITHOUT leaving tool marks.

PV Pilot Thu Sep 27, 2012 10:07 am

Little known fact is that diesel fuel is a excellent solvent. Stinks to the heavens, but it loosens crud very well.

Nitromethane was originally introduced as a solvent.

Ken Cook Thu Sep 27, 2012 10:54 am

Every year while servicing the oil burner, I use a small glass jar to purge the pump prior to use. I rescued a brand new in the package TD.051 piston sleeve. The outside of the cylinder had rust forming on it on the outside and on the inside as well as some staining on the piston. I placed that piston sleeve in the diesel fuel and left it there for months. When I retrieved it out of the fuel, it was in pristine condition. Prior to use, I followed the bore through with a Davis Diesel brush and washed it thoroughly in hot soapy water, dried , reoiled and it's still running to this day. Ken

andrew Thu Sep 27, 2012 12:52 pm

I've found that a liberal application of Jack Daniels tends to loosen me up. Oh -- I guess we're talking only about engines, though. Very Happy

jsesere Fri Sep 28, 2012 9:37 am

*Don't forget the April 2007 "Machinist's Workshop" magazine comparison
test.*
**
*They arranged a subjective test of all the popular penetrants with
the control being the torque required to remove the nut from a
"scientifically rusted" environment.*
**

*Penetrating oil ..... Average load*

None ..................... 516 pounds
WD-40 .................. 238 pounds
PB Blaster ............. 214 pounds
Liquid Wrench ..... 127 pounds
Kano Kroil ............ 106 pounds
ATF-Acetone mix....53 pounds

*The ATF-Acetone mix was a "home brew" mix of 50 - 50 automatic transmission
fluid and acetone.*
*Note the "home brew" was better than any commercial product in this one
particular test. Our local machinist group mixed up a batch and we all now
use it with equally good results. Note also that "Liquid Wrench" is about
as good as "Kroil" for about 20% of the price. *
**

SuperDave Fri Sep 28, 2012 9:43 am

Joe:

Good solid info. Thank you.

+ one

jsesere Fri Sep 28, 2012 9:44 am

Keep the comtiner close. It evaporates quickly.

SuperDave Fri Sep 28, 2012 9:47 am

jsesere wrote:Keep the comtiner close. It evaporates quickly.

Also acetone is highly flammable even in solution. Affraid or WOW!

**Cribbs74** Fri Sep 28, 2012 9:49 am

Well whaddya know. I have been a PB blaster guy for a while. Guess I need to change my tune.

Ron

**RknRusty** Fri Sep 28, 2012 10:55 am

I got suckered by the parts guy too. I thunked a can of Liquid Wrench down on the counter and he asked why I was using that antique product. I said, " 'cause I've been using it for decades, great stuff." He said, "Not anymore, this stuff is way better," and thunked a can of PB Blaster down on the counter(which was in a display next to the register - can you say CLUE?) So I bought it. The main thing it did was to stink up the whole garage.

microflitedude Fri Sep 28, 2012 11:00 am

I have used liquid wrench to free up stuck engines.

SuperDave Fri Sep 28, 2012 11:42 am

microflitedude wrote:I have used liquid wrench to free up stuck engines.

It's really matter what works for you, heck, in pinch I've used hot water but as a gerneral practice I go with the metod that I have desribed here previously.

PV Pilot Fri Sep 28, 2012 12:19 pm

RknRusty wrote:I got suckered by the parts guy too. I thunked a can of Liquid Wrench down on the counter and he asked why I was using that antique product. I said, " 'cause I've been using it for decades, great stuff." He said, "Not anymore, this stuff is way better," and thunked a can of PB Blaster down on the counter(which was in a display next to the register - can you say CLUE?) So I bought it. The main thing it did was to stink up the whole garage.

Our truck shop dumped all 4 cases of PB Blaster they had. Was eating up polyurethane rubber pieces,,and it STINKS. They sprayed the air ride seat linkage in my Peterbuilt because it was squeaking and for a quick before-shift fix ,,about made me barf after smelling that stuff for 10 hrs. WD-40 also eats polyurethane rubber.

Conklin Rust Bomb,,is the bomb for rust breakage.

The Liquid Wrench white lithium grease spray works good for squeaks and such, used that numerous time.

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