De-icing key hole

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xix

Time Zone Traveller
Jul 27, 2002
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La la land
Anyone here live north of Barrie and know how to maintain the key hole of car from freezing?

Or
how do you de-ice the key hole of car when it is frozen?

I can't turn my key at all; after trying 15 mins to get it in by heating it with lighter fluid; Ia m not going to temp breaking it.

Thanks.
 
sray some WD40 into it. repeat weekly
 
Spring for a remote and some power door locks and never worry about it again?
 
Jimmy C said:
Spring for a remote and some power door locks and never worry about it again?
Click to expand...

LOL yeah, I've had my truck for 1 1/2 yrs and I don't think my key has ever been in the lock. I use the keypad or the remote lol.

For the record I think lighter fluid should work as a de-icer if you squirt it into the lock.

From the sounds of it you can key the key in but you can't turn it correct? If so there are lock de-icers sold at Crappy Tire. If all else fails you can find a local mall that has heated indoor parking and put it in there for a couple of hours. Then once you are able to turn the key use the WD40 as suggested.

I once washed my car in the winter and it was quite warm in the sun but as the sun started to set everything froze. I had to park in the underground until I got all the locks working again.
 
You are right...

Jimmy C said:
Spring for a remote and some power door locks and never worry about it again?
Click to expand...


..about that.

Interesting how time and technology has changed things. Growing up in Chicago, frozen car locks were of course a concern every winter...quite commonplace. Now...I own a car that does not even have a keyhole.

Car keyholes are going the way of vinyl records and corded telephones...you might have a current generation of 20 somethings who have never used all three...
 
MLAM said:
Car keyholes are going the way of vinyl records and corded telephones...you might have a current generation of 20 somethings who have never used all three...
Click to expand...

vinyl is actually making a comeback....

What happens to a keyhole less car whose battery is dead? You cannot even open the door to pop the hood to boost the battery.

Years ago a CAA tow truck driver did use WD40 to spray my spark plug wires on my '87 626 after it sat in the snow covering the parking lot of the Delta Hotel while we were in Cuba for a week. WD= water displacement and he said that it dried out the wires. Car fired up right away. I now keep a can in the trunk.
 
rubmeister100 said:
Lighter fluid is naptha, a petroleum product. It has no effect on the freezing temp of ice. Would be like squirting varsol or gasoline on it. Oil and water don't mix.

.....
Click to expand...

I just squirted some on an ice cube as a test and while it could be the difference in temperature, it did seem to melt the edges of an ice cube. So you have a temp difference, you have the lighter fluid displacing the water from the lock, then since it doesn't freeze at the same point as water it will prevent it from re-freezing.

As for oil and water not mixing, that is the plan stan. If there's ice (eventually turned to water via heat) then the petro based item will or can displace the water no? Anyhow, the lighter fluid would also help to clean a bunch of the crap out of the lock but using a flammable liquid isn't the first choice anyways. WHich is why I also suggested using a lock de-icer....
*rollseyes*
 
Good point...

sailorsix said:
vinyl is actually making a comeback....

What happens to a keyhole less car whose battery is dead? You cannot even open the door to pop the hood to boost the battery.
Click to expand...

...not sure. Hmmm....though a dead battery is a pretty slim chance, given that the car turns every thing off automatically...no leaving the headlights on or anything like that.

Vinyl is making a comeback? Current albums aren't even released in vinyl....which is a shame, because nothing sounds as good as a WELL PRESSED AND NEW piece of vinyl on a GOOD turntable with a GOOD cartridge. However, since perhaps this synergy occurs one out of 20 times...most people settle for CDs....
 
I have to agree Mlam, vinyl is definitely warmer than digital and has a better frequency response. I know true audiophiles swear by vinyl and vinyl alone.
 
MLAM...the irritating guy from Bay Bloor Radio was yattering about new turntables a couple of weeks ago. I'm thinking the resurgence is in the sales of old vinyl. I ditched my collection about 4 years ago....damn I had some great ones from Cannonball Adderley to Jefferson Airplane to my first Stones...Decembers Children in mono! (those were the days when mono was $4.99...stereo was $6.99)
 
No, then the piss would just freeze afterwards lighter fluid would not, unless you were in the arctic....
 
There's a graphite powder - forget what it's called - that works pretty well. Problem with WD or lighter fluid etc is that it runs down the side of the car and can damage the paint. Graphite won't run or freeze, though granted it can make your keys a bit dirty.
 
Take a lighter, heat your key, insert in lock, gently turn.

Repeat until lock works.

The problem with an alcohol based de-icer is that I never seem to carry one in my coat pocket.

If you do have a problem and use the lighter method, squirt some lock de-icer in as soon as you can do it. And make sure that all your locks are working.
 
papasmerf said:
sray some WD40 into it. repeat weekly
Click to expand...


The WD40 will only take out any crap in the key hole, you have to apply some powdered graphite after to keep things from freezing up.
 
in a pinch,

this only sometimes works, but it always pays dividends.

Two steps (both must be followed to get the dividends):

1) Piss on your key lock. Piss is quite warm, so there's a chance it will work.

2) Then ask some guy you loathe (or your wife) to try the door.....
 
But don't put the tip of your dick against any metal with moisture on it. Unless you want to start an entirely different thread.

TQM said:
this only sometimes works, but it always pays dividends.

Two steps (both must be followed to get the dividends):

1) Piss on your key lock. Piss is quite warm, so there's a chance it will work.

2) Then ask some guy you loathe (or your wife) to try the door.....
Click to expand...
 
Well this worked

Compromised said:
Take a lighter, heat your key, insert in lock, gently turn.

Repeat until lock works.

The problem with an alcohol based de-icer is that I never seem to carry one in my coat pocket.
.
Click to expand...

Well this is what I did and it worked.

A long stick lighter - heat key inserted smoothly so she won't screech.
Then pull out quick after 5 seconds

Have a bottle of Barcadi Rum ready take a gulp then throw,blow or squirt into the key hole. [ be careful there is backflash]

Reinsert key quickly and turn and she will open up.

Now looking back and seeing some of the posts and what I do at work, this is what should be done.

At your Industrial Supply store {brafasco} buy
- Superlube Synthetic Grease with Syncolon [ptfe] 400g part# CA41150
- Superlube Silicone 11 Oz. Aerosol PArt#91110

THe grease for the rubber on the door so it won't stick
The Aerosol for the keyhole for lubrication every 2 weeks.

That is what should be done but the lazyness/procastination got the hold of me.

Don't buy that key-de-icer inserted with battery operated from CT. I have to return my now. IT doesn't work at all.
 
Spray methyl alcohol in the lock, which has a low freezing point, to mix with the ice and melt it. Methanol or methyl alcohol is the component in lock de-icers.
 
xix said:
- Superlube Synthetic Grease with Syncolon [ptfe] 400g part# CA41150
Click to expand...

Is this what I should apply to my door seals to keep them from freezing shut on very cold days like this past Thursday?
 
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