Posted by Rick Denney on June 28, 2000 at 13:39:07:
In Reply to: WD-40 posted by Jacob on June 28, 2000 at 12:37:29:
WD-40 is intended primarily as a water displacer and protectant for metals. It has very poor lubrication qualities, and the only real lubrication is obtained by dissolved old, hardened grease. This does not last. Many old clocks and other machines have been ruined by WD-40 in the hands of people thinking that it is oil.
So, if the valve is stuck because of hardened oil or grease, then Dubbum-D 40 might help dissolve it to the point where it can be removed, properly cleaned, and then properly lubricated.
On the other hand, if a valve is stuck because of deep corrosion (such as galvanic corrosion or oxidation) or mechanical inteference, the WD-40 is not likely to help.
Rick "I don't even use it on my bicycles" Denney