Continuing from this old thread:

https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-generation-specific-1986-1992-17/frozen-locks-what-use-257813/

Is there any way to keep ice from getting down into the locks? I used a flathead screwdriver to turn the locks this morning and work them free. After opening, the passengers handle was FROZEN in the "up-handle" position so the door wouldn't close. I had to work the latch & lock a bit to get it free.

Would a key-hole cover work? Is there some type of plug-in heater for car interiors?

 

I've always used WD40. A little shot in each lock after I wash the car.
Someone on the other thread said, " don't use WD40 because it accumulates dust.
..If it gets dusty in there, just hit it with some more WD.
LoL.

 

Exactly. The "WD" in WD-40 stands for "Water Displacing," so that's pretty much what you'd want in a place where water gets in and freezes.

 

Give it time. The WD40 will mix with the dust, and gum up the lock.

 

i have always used a little bit of automatic transmission fluid. i saw it on some car show on tv years back. basically it is an oil product so it repels water, but also it has some detergents in it so it helps clean the lock.


it works like a charm. just dip the key in some atf and run it into the lock and lock and unlock it a few times. obviously don't use so much that it is like running off the key before you get it into the lock but just a little goes a long way.

edit. god i really hate those green links that get put into your posts. i know that has been going on for a while but it has just begun to really annoy me.

 

Originally there was a tiny plastic door that closed the keyhole.
They wear through after 10-20 years, and either fall out or jam in the hole.

If you feel like pulling the handle assembly & taking the lock apart, you can make a replacement from a vinyl coffee can lid.
I cut one out using nail clippers.

 

I hear arizona is mighty nice this time of year....

 

.
Wasn't graphite, not oil suppose to used on locks for a reason?


WD40 will disipate, but penetrating oil (PB-Blaster) should stay in place I believe. Does ATF and plastic/rubber mix or will it eat away?



Is it safe to use an oil in the latch, striker, and keyhole? There's NO chance of getting the internals lubed though without taking off the interior panels and plastic sheet water seal.

 

White lithium grease. Lasts much longer than WD-40...

 

yea mine jamed my lock so i just ripped it out. a bottle of 91% or just rubbing alchol works good too in a jam

 

i didnt come up with the idea i posted, i just use it. it came from a locksmith. i wish i could remember the show. it was back when Spike TV was still TNN.


and the idea is not to lube all of the internals, it is just for inside the lock cylinder. so this wont help with the issue of the latch getting stuck open and the door not closing. it will just help stop the lock from freezing up and keep it clean as well


oh yeah, atf doesnt eat through its plastic bottle does it?

 

You can prevent those from showing up, all you have to do is add the following to your hosts file:

127.0.0.1 rx7club.us.intellitxt.com

 

Cool - Thanks

 

hey thanks a lot i think that actually worked.

 

WD-40 or similar light oil is definitely my preference. To deal with crud build-up, just periodically shoot some non-chlorinated brake cleaner in the lock and then hit it with the WD-40 after it dries. If the worst does happen and the lock is frozen, use a lighter to heat up your key and work it in and out if the lock until it goes all the way in, then heat the key up again and leave it inside the cylinder for a minute or so. The heat will conduct into the cylinder. We used to have to do that all the time when I was stationed on a God-forsaken mountain top in Germany, back in the early '90s.

 

Do not want to attribute incorrectly but, I've heeded what I believe were Icemark's comments that WD-40 will begin to disolve the nylon components of the key locking and connecting rods and in particular the nylon in the power antena assembly. That is why I always use white lithium. It is also H20 repelling and does not attract dust as readily. Powder graphite also works.

I believe the issue here is water in the lock not the lubricant. Short of removing and replacing seals, I doubt nothing put in there will eliminate the freeze. Most auto stors sell the small cans of lock unfreeze. A few bucks and works well. Will eliminate the chance of breaking the tumbler with a flat head screw driver.

BTW, Merry Christmas all.

 

yeah the screwdriver in the lock kind of caught me off guard. i would never do that




as far as nylon goes, it is a semicrystalline plastic. it has very high resistance to most chemicals. especially petroleum products. it is the amorphous plastics you have to worry about chemicals with.


Nylon

WD-40

don't worry so much

 

Hmm..

White Lithium would mean greezy keys right? That's one of the reasons I've been use Graphite powder for rusty locks.

Is there an alternative that would do both, prevent ice buildup in the lock and not greeze up the key ?

Definitly want to dis-assemble the locks on my vert project and see about replacing that plastic top tumbler cover.