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[pipercub1772]

Hi what is the best solution for freeing a steam engine that has been left a long time without cleaning and lightly oiling, I have used turps previously can you suggest anything better ,kind regards

[rhavrane]

Bonjour,
Would a large cleaning inside and outside with WD40 or equivalent would be useful ?
But before, if the machine does not run, remove the cylinder heads to look for any possible traces of rust or other dirt possibly blocking.
In all the cases, never force !
This is a common disease for cast iron made machines.
 

[1967Brutus]

Drown the thing in a compound called "IMAL" and leave it soaking for a few hours. IMAL is made by Griffon.
https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=02c2813e43cf08b2JmltdHM9MTcxMzQ4NDgwMCZpZ3VpZD0zMGM5OGRiMC01MTYxLTZlZDAtM2IwNi05ZTg4NTA1NjZmNTQmaW5zaWQ9NTIyNQ&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=3&fclid=30c98db0-5161-6ed0-3b06-9e8850566f54&psq=IMAL+penetrating+oil&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ3JpZmZvbi5ldS9lbi1lbi9wcm9kdWN0cy9ncmlmZm9uLWltYWxyLWFlcm9zb2wtMzAwLW1sLW5sZnJkZQ&ntb=1
Imal is an industrial penetrating oil, better at losening seizd parts than anythig I know out there.

[Andyn]

If you have some, a bath in glow fuel will clear it right up

[pipercub1772]

Thanks for the information i have some glow fuel ill give it a try thanks for the replies ,regards Allan

[Bunkerbarge]

If the engine has been left so long it is tight you really should do the right thing and strip it down.  You need to check the condition of the bores and whatever is sealing the piston and piston rods, i.e. 'O' rings or soft packing.  Simply soaking it and forcing it to turn runs the risk of damaging the seals and the running faces that could be scored.  You might even think you've got away with it as it frees up but you might have done damage that won't be immediately apparent.


Strip it down and clean everything up properly.

[Circlip]

Hydraulic oil. Thinner than 'Penetrating oil'


 Regards  Ian.

[SteamboatPhil]

As AndyN as said glow fuel does work....but after freeing uo the engine it should be stripped and cleaned (petrol works) as glow fuel is very corrosive

[1967Brutus]

Hydraulic oil. Thinner than 'Penetrating oil'


 Regards  Ian.

????

I strongly doubt that... Penetrating oils are waterthin, most Hydraulic oils I worked with had Viscosity classes of 32 or 46 (cSt)...

[pipercub1772]

Thanks for all the replies the glow fuel did the trick thanks  , i would normally strip it down as Bunkerbarge recommended but its a martin howes and baylis pb2 engine and honestly think it would be a bridge too far for me , so thanks again for all the information ,regards Allan

[1967Brutus]

Thanks for all the replies the glow fuel did the trick thanks  , i would normally strip it down as Bunkerbarge recommended but its a martin howes and baylis pb2 engine and honestly think it would be a bridge too far for me , so thanks again for all the information ,regards Allan

If you're not going to strip it, initially do NOT run it, but give it ample of any kind of lubricating and cleaning liquid while "slowly" turning over, and that way rinse out the engine to get rid of any corrosion particles. Glow fuel would be a good medium for that.