Came up with a way to remove seized bolts

[Benz Dr.]

We tried a new way to remove stuck or seized screws today. Heat the area until nicely warmed and then stick a parafin candle against the hot area. Once it cools the screw wiill almost come out using your fingers.
The wax won't evaporate like most penatrating fluids and it will soak into the threads. Once cooled the wax acts like a lube allowing the screw to come out easily.

[Khurram Darugar]

Great hands on insider tip!
Could have really used a candle or two(dozen) 5 yrs ago. -;)
Kay

[Bonnyboy]

I tried that candle trick on a couple bolts and that didn't work so I heated them up with my propane torch  (not oxy acetelyne) and then when hot I sprayed the liquid cool stuff on it to freeze the bolt only and then the bolts came out.

My progression for bolts is 
correct size socket - 3/8 wrench
spray seafoam penetrating oil
correct size socket - 3/8 wrench with small extension
heat and wax
correct size socket - 1/2 wrench with breaker bar
heat and liquid cool
correct size socket - 1/2 wrench with breaker bar and bit more oomph
let it sit for a few days with alternating heat / wax / liquid cool
correct size socket - 1/2 wrench with breaker bar and extension pipe and more oomph
then either it comes out or the head breaks off and out come the drills and taps


so far on my car I have only had to drill out 3 little bolts (headlights) and numerous screws (trim on rockers and kick plates) - everything else came off.
 - I did break a socket once but that was when I deviated from my order and put a long pipes on a 1/2 breaker bar with an adapter to a 3/8 socket.

[stickandrudderman]

I've seen a tool advertised in the USA that uses inductive heating in the same way that an inductive hob heats your milk for your breakfast. The videos I've seen look impressive.

[mdsalemi]

I've seen a tool advertised in the USA that uses inductive heating...

http://www.autotronheater.com/default.asp?ID=14

I'm still as intrigued by Dan's candle process--especially since he tried it and is not just reporting on something he heard!

[Benz Dr.]

I've already found that it won't work on everything but it's worth a try.

[Ben]

Hey Dan how are you, I noticed you stated "paraffin" candle............I assume this is different to a basic wax candle that my wife is likely to use around the bath tub  , and its the paraffin that is drawn in and provides the lubrication

[Benz Dr.]

From what I remember there are two basic types of candles - paraffin and bees wax. I'm talking about a regular candle you can buy anywhere which is usually paraffin.

[glenn]

Dan,  Will paraffin wax work on seized pistons??

[Benz Dr.]

Good question. I suppose if you could get the cyinder hot enough to melt the wax it might run down the walls enough to help out.

  I've used hydraulic pressure to move pistons that were near the top of the cylinder. Fill the cylinder with grease from a grease gun and make up a spark plug with a gease fitting on it so that you can force more grease into the cylinder. You better have good threads in the spark plug hole because this can blow the plug out of the hole.
Pump enough grease into the cylinder and it will move anything. We had a really old tractor with a very sized piston once. Using the grease method it would pop loose as we pumped grease into the cylinder and would make a very loud bangevery time it did. Kind of made everyone jump every time it happened.  The valves have to be closed of course and the cylinder must hold pressure - grease works better than most methods.

We managed to move the piston to BDC and then it wouldn't go anywhere. After removing the head we put two 20 ton jacks on top of the block and fashioned some chains around the crank. When everything finally moved the piston came out with the wet slieve attached! Now that's tight!!!

[Jack Jones]

I had a old tractor from the 40's and the engine was seized. I filled the cylinders with Evapo-Rust and left it for 1 week and after this the engine freed up with a standard wrench on the crank bolt. The engine had not run in over 25 years and the carb was open to the elements so the cylinders with open valves were completed rusted. This stuff is amazing and is non-toxic and non-corrosive.

[der951]

The grease gun trick also works with seized brake caliper pistons. Install a grease fitting where the hose connects, and be sure the bleed nipple is closed.