[s-cars] peat lock cylinders

[JC]

Oddly enough as seems to happen after the discussion a few weeks back about
frozen lock cylinders I happened to notice my hatch lock had frozen up again
so I began the arcane dance of fluids and prodding once again.  
 
Just to confirm what was said last week and did the job for me: Lots of
penetrating oil in multiple applications (get the straw deep in there,
sometimes that takes some prodding, I even sprayed it fulla goodge and then
slapped some masking tape over the hole to hold as much in as possible for a
while).  Work the key in & out, even if it doesn't go in far- you basically
just try to free one tumbler at a time. You can feel it start to go and then
the key will go in the slot just that much further. Every time I freed a
tumbler, I'd give anudder good douching of penetratin' goo and then work the
key in and out like a meth-crazed bunny rabbit in mating season... quickly
the newly liberated tumblers will start to move all silky smooth... Then
give it time to soak, then back to try for another tumbler. 
 
All freed and good now but it reminded me to do this routine pre-emptively
once in a while - my passenger door was getting sticky too and was happy to
get slimed and worked over. Having had the notorious busted-pot-metal
syndrome in both a CQ and type 44's, I know how important it is to ensure
the passenger door lock stays freed up in case you lose the drivers... 
 
Question: The remaining prob with my hatch cylinder is now only that the
rain-flapper won't close up over the bunghole anymore.  It still springs but
just won't return all the way.  Any seggeschuns? 
 
JC
 
Oh yeah and a last tip: there's a goo called "fluid film" that is great for
mild corrosion prevention and lubrication in things like this. It has a
moderate viscosity - wont wash right off like WD-40 but won't turn sticky
and gum up either. I think someone told me it's got lanolin in it of all the
odd things... anyway I've had great luck with it in as a preventative (not a
penetrating) in door locks as well as door hinges.
 
---- current ----
1995.5 S6 Avant 
2003 E46 M3 Cic
2008 A3 2.0tDSG
---- past lives ----
2006 A4 2.0TQA
1998 A6Q 2.8 PES G2
1989 200TQA SJM
1990 CQ
1997 A4 1.8TQ Wett
1987 4kCSQ 
 
John J. Cunningham
 <mailto:jc at j2c3.com> jc at j2c3.com
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