Hello there,
I'm working on the gf's 91 240 sedan with around 200k. Anyway I was replacing the water pump when one of the lower bolts broke off. Luckily there's enough to grab onto,(about 1cm , maybe a little more )poking out of the engine. I've tried PB, then AeroKroil overnite with out much luck. I then tried a propane torch on it.. nothing so far. I'm just wondering if the Bernzomatic brand will even get it hot enough to do anything. I really don't want to have to drill it if I don't have to. Any ideas, I'm also tapping it here and there to try and loosen it up.
Thanks
cp

Hi all,
So 36 hours later and half a can of PB gone, I finally got the darn bolt out. Took a combination of heat, ( around the bolt, but not directly on it) AeroKoil overnite each nite, tapping the screw. Then in the end I found a good smaller pair of vice grips and literally hurt my hand clamping down. Then, as I was twisting on the thing after heating the area around it, and showering it with PB as I turned, it started loosening up. Back and forth, back and forth, took awhile, but got it done.
In the end was it the hear? or just a good grip and letting the penetrating oil do the work, well who knows, I'd like to think it was a combination of all three.
Thanks
Cp

cp,

The heat you get from a Bernzomatic depends upon the quality of the torch head. I was using the kind you have light manually after turning the knob, and not having much luck. A friend lent me his more expensive head with the pull trigger auto light system (about $30). I put it on my gas bottle and turned rear axle u-bolt nuts red hot in short order. Also, as was said, Mapp gas will get hotter.

Charley

I agree with '66 Estate that the way to go is with a small pipe wrench. I have one in my toolbox that is only about 8 inches long, and it works wonders on seized bolts, even on the smooth parts with no threads. Good luck, Paul

If you can get a small pipe wrench in there I'd try that over vise grips or channel locks, the more force you put on a pipe wrench the harder it grips. Vise grips will still slip for the most part, a pipe wrench will never.

The normal benzomatic gas is not that hot, I have used it many times in normal camping oven. I think temp wise MAPP gas is much hotter (but all their torches do not work with MAPP, only costlier ones ) (Still acetylene is hotter).

Did you try this product (It is just a can with some compressed gas like N2) which one gets at Wally world which freezes so that nuts/bolts etc shrink. In the end sears sells "easy out" or similar product to drill out the bolts.

I am sure you will get lots of replies on this one.
Good Luck,
--
DD-1990 240 DL SW M47II FI 3.1 234 K miles

Hi,


Get a NEW pair of mini Channelocks at Ace Hardware.

How are you grabbing the bolt now?


Goatman

i was using some bigger channel locks, but I don't think I'm getting the torque I need because of the space.. so maybe some little ones will work better, I also have a clamping pliers (not sure of the correct name), but i don't think they'll help that much..
Also, does it help to keep spraying AK on the bolt after its cooled a little, between heatings that is??
thanks
cp

Vise Grips. They lock on. Burnzomatic gas could work. problem is that most of teh Valve ends you put on them fan the flame out too far.
These little bolts should not have been in too tight. I wonder/hope if you get a small pair of Vise Grips and clip it on teh threads right at teh Block it will let go for you ...especially after using Kroil....very good stuff.

Try to loosen a bit then tighten then loosen then tighten.
--
'75 Jeep CJ5 345Hp ChevyPwrd, two motorcycles, '85 Pickup: The '89 Volvo is the newest vehicle I own. it wasn't Volvos safety , it was Longevity that sold me http://home.no.net/ebrox/Tony's%20cars.htm

Hello
I just did some research and found this loctite freeze and release product. Seems like it might work but i thought I'd see if anyone's had any luck with it.
Thanks
Cp

I've heard good things about it but have not tried it myself.
--
George Downs, Bartlesville, Heart of the USA!