Keyed Automobile Locks: Frozen

1

1 Dollar

Member

• Dec 4, 2008

• #1

Real quick, what do you guys do to keep your non-keyless entry vehicles locks from freezing in the winter time? I put some powdered graphite in mine a few weeks ago, but it was frozen tonight pretty good and almost locked me out. Any help would be awesome.

Thanks

 

I

IH2444

Well-known Member

• Dec 4, 2008

• #1

I use silicone spray. WD40 is prety good as well.

 

R

Roy in georgia

Member

• Dec 4, 2008

• #1

I never lock mine heck I even leave the key in the ignition most of the time. Not sure what to do on something that was actually worth worrying about weather it was locked or not. The only time I do lock is if guns or tools are inside

 

J

Jiles

Well-known Member

• Dec 4, 2008

• #1

I also put a coating of silicone on the rubber weatherstripping. In a pinch, I have used baby oil.

 

omahagreg

Well-known Member

• Dec 4, 2008

• #1

I have gotten a spray lock deicer from an auto supply house before. Reminds me, I need some. Works real well on the cylinder itself. I once had a crown vic that the linkages inside the door would freeze-pouring windshield washer down the window would usually fix that one! Greg

 

T

teddy52food

Well-known Member

• Dec 4, 2008

• #1

Heat the key with a match or lighter.

 

H

Handyman

Member

Location

Bonneville County, Idaho

• Dec 4, 2008

• #1

If your lock is frozen one solution is to heat your key up with a match or lighter till its good and hot then stick it in the lock for a few seconds before trying to turn the lock, has saved me on several occasions.

 

R

RodinNS

Well-known Member

• Dec 4, 2008

• #1

If it actually freezes, get a spray bottle of lock de-icer or methyl hydrate and drive that into the barrell. That will thaw it out. Once that's done, get a can of WD-40 with the straw and drive the straw into the barrell. Flood the barrell until it runs out. Work the barrell with the key, then flood it again. That should keep it for a while.

Rod

 

OP

OP

1

1 Dollar

Member

• Dec 4, 2008

• #1

Hey thanks guys. I did put the key on my mouth for about a minte to warm it up. Wonder what that looked like haha. I have a few new items to throw in the toolbox. Does it make sense that the toolbox is usually unlocked but the empty truck cab isn't?

Thanks again

 

A

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

• Dec 5, 2008

• #1

WD40 will leave a nice gummy residue behind that will jamb the pins.A fellow who used WD40 on a revolver found it gummed it up so bad it would not work.Spray some on a cast iron table saw top and note the gum it leaves behind.Lock smith told me that lock spray will wash out what little lube there is in a cylinder.A hot key works best.WD40 is a drying agent meant to displace water.Plain kerosene is a penetrant and costs a lot less.

 

R

RodinNS

Well-known Member

• Dec 5, 2008

• #1

That may be.... but it's what's worked for me. I got froze up on the road at a gas station 2 years ago. I went and bought a bottle of de-icer and a can of Wd-40, and it hasn't given trouble since.
Fluid Film is another usefull product.

Rod

 

B

Bill(Wis)

Well-known Member

• Dec 5, 2008

• #1

A friend of mine had a seven cylinder Cadillac (don't ask) that the door locks would freeze up on. He carried a small flask of Wild Turkey in his breast pocket for just such occasions. Lock frozen? No problem. Swig a mouthful of warm Wild Turkey and blow it into the lock. Worked every time. (;>))

 

A

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

• Dec 5, 2008

• #1

Locksmith knows more about locks than posters on this forum so Ill go with him.

 

R

RodinNS

Well-known Member

• Dec 5, 2008

• #1

That's nice. At least you paid a locksmith for that gem. I didn't.
I'll stick to the WD-40 given that water inside the lock and cold weather is what causes the freezing, and the WD40 does drive the water out.
Different strokes...

Rod

 

A

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

• Dec 6, 2008

• #1

My lock cylinder was seized up in sept.He said that methanol based lock spray caused it.Cylinder bodies are cast zinc.methanol attacks the zinc.Cost me 5 bucks to get the lock freed up.Ford dealer wanted 50.00 for a new lock.I know a bit more about locks than you do. always found them interesting, can pick them too.Most locks are not as secure as you think.

 

R

RodinNS

Well-known Member

• Dec 7, 2008

• #1

You know more about locks that me??? Whoopti doo.
That's why you go to a locksmith?
Mabey if your knowledge was so great you'd have stuck a bit of RustCheck, Fluid Film, LPS #2, WD40 or just about any other lubricant in there and freed the lock yourself when it started getting sticky.
I don't recall suggesting that lock de-icer was GOOD for the lock. It's good to thaw the lock at which point you undertake to get the moisture out and then relube the lock.
You keep jamming hot keys into frozen locks any you'll eventually find out something... You'll either have the key frozen into the lock or twist the key off in the lock because you weakened the key with heat. Then you'll be buying the whole new lock set or travelling around with 2 or 3 keys...

Rod

 

A

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

• Dec 7, 2008

• #1

First off The lock was stuck when I got the truck.Any one who sprays WD 40 into mechanisms that will be jammed with the gum left behind aint playing with a full deck.If the stuff can tie up a revolver action it sure will do the same for a lock. You cant weaken the key with a match.I dont have a great knowledge of locks so I know when to look for help on a problem.I do know much more about locks than you,glad that bothers you.

 

R

RodinNS

Well-known Member

• Dec 7, 2008

• #1

I never claimed to know much about locks, but you seem determined to show how little you know.
That doesn't bother me one bit.
As I said, I'll keep doing what works for me. You can call your locksmith. HE can spray the wonderjuice into it when you're not looking.

Rod

 

A

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

• Dec 8, 2008

• #1

You cant watch a locksmith work.Unlawful here.