QLocktite, neversieze, nothing?

[Yara]

I am in the process of cleaning out the cooling circuit of my VP2001. The bolts that screw into the engine casing came out relatively easily. When I replace them should I use something like locktite to stop them seiezing next time?















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[Boater Sam]

I am in the process of cleaning out the cooling circuit of my VP2001. The bolts that screw into the engine casing came out relatively easily. When I replace them should I use something like locktite to stop them seiezing next time?















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If you use the wrong Loktite you may never get them out again. Copper Slip would be my choice.

 

[Poignard]

I'd use Duralac

 

[vyv_cox]

Not quite sure what you are asking here. Loctite is intended to stop bolts from loosening, not to prevent seizing. If the bolts loosened easily it sounds like they may have not been tightened enough? Or need locking washers? Duralac would be useful if two metals are in contact in water but won't do much for you otherwise. It is perfectly normal for steel bolts to go into aluminium with no protection, e.g. motorbikes, my car engine and gearbox.

 

[superheat6k]

A decent high temperature grease will work on most bolts except those on the very hot exhaust fixings. Perhaps copper slip on the exhaust bolts and studs, but I would avoid it anywhere else, and wipe off any excess.

 

[Neeves]

I’m too young to know the VP2001 but on the VP 2020 there are no bolts securing the exhaust manifold. The 2020 has studs, which should not need to be touched - you take the nuts off and leave the studs secured. If the nuts are looses then maybe you need locking nuts, the sort with a sort of integrated washer and the washer part is grooved - or spring washers. I have noted that you are servicing the whole cooling circuit, not only the exhaust manifold.

I note Vyv’s comments but the casting is surely steel and the studs and nuts also steel. I’d vote for high temperature grease.

However I stand to be corrected on all points.

It is not clear to me to which bolts (or nuts) you refer. Pictures are sooooo useful - but maybe you do not have a mobile phone

Jonathan

 

[Yara]

Typing on pad does not work too well, so please excuse the rough original post. These are ss bolts into the ci motor main casting. They secure the water piping and the thermostat housing. Past experience with old car motors made me expect the worst, like sheared bolts. However, when I say relatively easy to remove, I mean normal size spanner, hammer taps on the top, and moderate force. So I want to preserve the good luck when I re-assemble. Don't think there is a vibration issue, as there are rubber seals which provide some "springiness". Maybe I am over-thinking this, and should just clean the threads, put a drop of WD 40, and go for it!
BTW, the WD40 seemed to dissolve the salt encrustations nicely. Good cosmetic for those wishing a quick tidy up for leaky gaskets.

 

[penberth3]

..... Maybe I am over-thinking this, and should just clean the threads, put a drop of WD 40, and go for it!
BTW, the WD40 seemed to dissolve the salt encrustations nicely. Good cosmetic for those wishing a quick tidy up for leaky gaskets.

You are over-thinking it. WD40 will do nothing, a complete waste of time. A drop of engine oil, or a bit of ordinary grease is all you need. Remember, fastenings are there to fasten. Hard to dismantle is a good thing, better than something falling apart on its own.

 

[vyv_cox]

My point about steel into aluminium was simply to illustrate that in dry service there is no need for corrosion protection, e.g. Duralac. Studs and bolts into cast iron or steel need only hydrocarbon lubrication, oil or grease.

I use Copaslip on exhaust nuts and bolts but offshore in the 1980s the guys used it on everything, not thought to be harmful but expensive (unimportant in the context of offshore oil and gas). We then ran into lots of overload problems due to low friction coefficients and had to draw up lists of what to use where.

 

[Yara]

Thanks folks. This resource is great, well worth the cost of my PBO subscription! Now I will stop over-thinking and get on with the job, despite the heat below deck in the Sydney summer.