Conference terri::cars_uk

  I was always under the impression that one should never use liquid lubricants
  on locks of any description. Only graphite or some such thing should be used.

  I got this from a neighbour (who runs a mobile locksmith service) after I'd
  done much the same thing to my garage door lock :-((((. It seems that the
  liquid aspect of it causes the lock to soon gunge up with dust and it also
  attacks the delicate parts - then finally seizes completely,  as my garage
  door will attest to..

  Cheers
  Andy

  PS I wouldn't be at all surprised if the locks used by Ford are duff - nothing
     surprises me about Ford any more :-))))

    RE:.0 
    
    Does your key have large-ish "wings" on either side, or is it short
    wings with flat indentations?
    
    My '89 Escort is now on its THIRD ignition key... I've never had any
    problem with the petrol cap lock, though perhaps the diesel fumes keep
    it lubricated :-) Anyway, when I picked the third ignition key, the
    mechanic said that there was indeed a problem with those funny-shaped
    keys, in fact the new ones are made from different material. I was also
    told that the previous generation of Ford "high-security" locks had the
    reverse problem, i.e. the lock barrels wore out, not the key.
    
    /Ben

    
    ... & if you cant get Graphite easily, try rubbing a pencil on the
    key...
    
    
    	Tony.

U-hu

I've got the newer security skinny keys. I'll try the pencil trick.

Dougie

    Just had the very same problem with my Mums Orion this morning.
    
    I took it to Ford who burst it off for me....(Getting a new cap on 
    warranty). 
    
    The mechanic there recommended injecting grease into the lock whenever
    it started getting stiff.

    
    Oh no. This has just started happening to my lock on the petrol filler
    cap. Bad news!
    
    Steve.
    

>    know. He said it is sometimes known as "White Grease". I tried to

Probably petroleum jelly.

    If I say Vaseline, does the Mod appear >;-)
    

    RE: a couple back.
    
    You sure about that number? I thought the code was 0922.
    
    My records say 0922-725551
    
    If I'm wrong, tell me and I'll delete this note to save confusion.
    
    Laurie.

    You're right Laurie. I've just checked.
    
    	Ford Technical Centre: 	0922 725551
    
    I wish there was way of editing notes ....
    
    Dougie
    

RE:      <<< Note 1622.11 by WELCLU::NISBET "Dougie Nisbet@WLO 7 853 4334" >>>
    
�    I wish there was way of editing notes ....
    
    Well, there is, sort of...
    
    You can always alter the title, or, delete the note, having first saved
    it to a file. Make the required change, and reply to the last in the
    string. then type:
    
    Notes> mod not/note_id = xxx.xx
    
    That'll fix it, except the datestamp will be wrong!
    
    Laurie.

            <<< MARVIN::DISK$TOOLS:[NOTES$LIBRARY]CARS_UK.NOTE;1 >>>
                            -< CARS_UK conference >-
================================================================================
Note 1622.7               Design fault on Ford Barrels?                  7 of 12
WELLIN::NISBET "Dougie Nisbet@WLO 7 853 4334"        26 lines   9-DEC-1991 13:59
               -< Ford recommend a Spray Grease - WTF is that? >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    I've just been on the 'phone to Ford's Technical Support desk -
    marginally quicker than getting thru' to DECdirect :-/
    
    If anyone is interested, the number is 0922 725551.
                                             =
    
    Regarding locks. I didn't really get the definitive answer I'd hoped
    for. Interestingly, he said that putting WD40 into petrol cap barrels
    is usually ineffective, since it doesn't stay around long enough to do
    that much good. I put the point to him made in an earlier note about
    lubricants attracting dirt, and he said that this can be true in
    ignition key locks, but the fumes from the petrol cap tend to 'wash
    away' the WD40 in a petrol cap barrel.
    
    The only thing he suggested (apart from completely removing the barrel
    and greasing it), was using a "spray grease". When I asked practical
    questions like "Can I get it in Halfords", he didn't really seem to
    know. He said it is sometimes known as "White Grease". I tried to
    prompt him to suggest a brand name, but he either didn't know or
    wouldn't be drawn. He mentioned some trade name which I've immedietely
    forgotten.
    
    So the man from Ford reckons on a Spray Grease. What do the panel
    think?
    
    Dougie
    

    Re 0. When this happened to mine some time ago I first thought it was
    petrol attacking the plastic of the cap so that they would not turn
    against each other. After a bit of dismantling and fiddling about it
    proved not to be that at all but the lock itself. Cured it by running
    oil into it from every direction that seemed possible. No problem
    since.

    
    Just to butt in for a second there is a way of changing the text of a
    note but you have to good at 'C' and know alot about the callable
    interface to notes!  If I come up with a .EXE note editor I'll let ya
    knwo and make it public.
    
    Back to the subject, I made the mistake of oiling my boot lock on my
    Mini and slowly but surely it's seizing, I was considering taking the
    lock off and re-graphiting it, but I'd rather wait until the summer as
    it's too damn cold to play with cars at the moment.
    
    Matt.

    re .14 & .15
    
    Oh Lordy, some say oil, some say not! How DO I get it working at 40
    degrees?
    
    I think I'm going to try the Vaseline, but then I always preferred the
    kinky approach.
    
    Dougie
    

    I've had the problem with the petrol cap several times, each time
    at services the garage appeared to sort it out.  However, the last
    time it happened (about a month ago) it lead to all sorts of
    complications...
    
    My key snapped off in the filler cap, I managed to get the metal
    bit of the key out of the cap to get home (no petrol).  Got the
    spare key and tried the filler cap again, with copious amounts of
    WD40.  This resulted in me freeing the petrol cap, but now it has
    the spare key embedded in it.  I invested in a temporary petrol
    cap, used a small piece of metal as an ignition key for 24 hours
    then dumped the whole lot at the garage.  My car was returned the
    next day with working filler cap and new keys.  
    
    Thankfully it is nearly at the end of the lease and I can look forward
    to getting shot of it.
               
    
    Hilary
    
    

    
    Well, I thought it was too good to be true.
    
    My filler cap stuck completely when I went to fill up with go-juice,
    but fortunately, it was *off* the car. Couldn't get it back on, so it's
    now travelling around with a temp. plastic thingy.
    
    Luckily, I was carrying the spare key in my wallet or I'd have been
    completely stuck.
    
    Steve.