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[fatcat123]

Is spraying wd40 inside a motor a good or bad thing?

I think one of my motors is a little stiff and hoping a bit of wd40 might loosen it up.

Dan

[Shipmate60]

Be aware that WD40 is NOT a lubricant it is a freeing moisture repellant.
You can use it and if it frees of the motor lubricate with something like 3-in-1

Bob

[derekwarner]

  afraid the proprietry products.... WD40, RP7 & the like also swell nitrile rubbers [NBR & H-NBR] & also VITON or FKM so keep these spray products away from steam applications .......Derek

[RaaArtyGunner]

So the email that says I can use it on my elbows is a hoax  

[derekwarner]

  ...but you be your own judge...... Derek

Source(s):
http://www.wd40company.com/files/pdf/msds-wd494716385.pdf
http://www.wd40.com/faBest Answer - Chosen by Asker
Per the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet): Prolonged or repeated contact may produce mild iritation and defatting with possible dermatitis.
Per WD40's web site: Does not contain any know Caner Causing Agents.
Per About.Com: There has never been any scientific research to prove this theory. Possible reasons for the confusion: Massage Action, Coolness of the Spray or a Placebo Effect.
MY OPINION: If you have not suffered any exposure issues (dermatitis or dry skin) then that is not an issue as it is dependant on the user and frequency of use. Their is no known Cancer Causing Ingrediants (yet their is in everything else from the food we eat to the gasses released by material used in our car interiors). Thus I don't not see any immediate health risks if used in moderation.
My father stumpled across this remedy backwards for his arthritis. He noticed that after using to clean something the swelling and disfigurment of his hands subsided and so did the pain. He isolated the cause of the relief to WD40. He than did studies on his own: application via towels, direct spray, indirect spray, and even rubbing with and without the WD40. His Hypothosis was it worked. Whether it truly worked is irrelevant as he found more relief from the WD40 than nearly any other medicine or technique. The only medicine that provided better relief had a side effect that would damage his liver (that was proven in scientific studies).
Remember as you provide your own review question the sources motives. EVERY source opposing the use of WD40 the I found has financial ties, directly and indirectly, to the companies providing treatments and medications for Arthritis.
Having a family history of Arthritis and understanding its crippling pain first hand I respect any treatment that can provide my loved ones some relief thus allowing them to enjoy life.qs/
http://arthritis.about.com/od/alternativetreatments/f/wd40.htm
to use it as the puffiness an

[Dreadstar]

The real drawback with using WD40 in motors,is that it seriously shortens the life of the brushes.Any more than just a drop on the com,will cause serious ammounts of arcing.We use this method when racing Mardaves,as it increases the revs of the motor by nearly 1000rpm, something that you really don't want in a boat,unless your prepared to put a new motor in your boat every month.

[malcolmfrary]

Motors with metal brushes, probably harmless, and might do some good by reaching and flushing muck out of hard to reach areas.  NOTE "MIGHT"
Motors with carbon brushes.  Rapid doom to the carbon blocks, usually resulting in the carbon being redistributed generally over the insides of the motor giving potentially conductive paths where you don't want them.

[Watchleader]

BEWARE
I tried this once with an old washing machine motor that was very noisy.
Very liberal with the WD40.
Powered up before motor had drained.
Excellent imitation of a jet engine. 
Luckily no harm done.
Motor was useless afterwards and I was a lot wiser!!

[Martin (Admin)]

http://www.wd40.com/about-us/myths-legends-fun-facts/

[boatmadman]

One of the best uses for WD-40 I have found is that of a lubricant whilst machining aluminium - it produces a really good finish.

Interestingly, milk is also good for machining aluminium!

Ian

[Watchleader]

So is parraffin a good coolant/lubricant for aluminium. 

MILK??  I wonder what your lathe smells like after a few days this weather??
Cleaning down must be fun.

[bosun]

Sent you a PM john
Bosun

[matphoto]

We used to use red diesel as a lubricant for deep drawing of sheet brass.