What is best liquid to free pistons?

[tomlad]

I tink milk stone remover used to b phosphoric acid ??
But last i bought, few year ago ingredients said a different acid ?
Agri suppliers

 

[tomlad]

Also when u use it smells alot like genolight or what ever its called, same purple colour , just alot cheeper

 

[mikep]

Compressed grease, which is effectively what it will be has a lot of force behind it and more than likely do some serious damage. I dont understand why you lot want to free them off as they'll always be a step in the bore and the rings (if not broken when you un seize the pistons) will bugger themselves on the resultant lip left in the bore. Just strip the buggers down and do the job properly!!!!

So just take the head off, crank out and belt the sh!t out of the pistons with a sledgehammer is the proper way?
I think a gradual increase in pressure over four pistons simultaneously may possibly be a better idea to free the engine off but obviously care is needed.
I have two engines running perfectly well after freeing off when siezed (not by grease) but they were storage siezed not welded. They ran like bags of sh!t initially but as the rings freed off got better and better and certainly don't need further intervention so saved a whole heap of time and money

 

[mikep]

As you say the sump is full of water, depends if high enough to submerge the journals. I can't see the bottom end being all that well too.
Also there could be frost damage too.

If the oil still covers the water it won't rust as there is no oxygen and what little is in the water is absorbed by the oil. Put a nail in boiled water and fill the container to the top and seal it. It will stay shiny for ever as long as no air is allowed in. Freezing a possible but can't think where in a bottom end.

 

[MF 168]

The old TVO Fordson here seized up after years of been left untouched and half the time was left outdoors. Not me but a neighbour got the idea to tie a bag of sand onto the starting handle and pour diesel into the spark plug holes a couple of times a week. Took about a month but I went out one morning to pour another drop of diesel into it and the bag of sand was resting on the floor. Freed off with no hardship at all.

 

[MrNoo]

So just take the head off, crank out and belt the sh!t out of the pistons with a sledgehammer is the proper way?

use a press and press them out, it is very simple.

 

[mikep]

use a press and press them out, it is very simple.

Best way but more folks have grease guns than a press and also with a GG the pressure is uniform not spot.
As I said I've never tried it but have used the method to free up many things such as brake cylinders, hydraulic rams and also to remove bearing housings, it has done the job without drama and without damage and I was very impressed. It has saved large amounts of time and money and is a method with a worthy place in any workshop.

 

[Landy Nick]

The old TVO Fordson here seized up after years of been left untouched and half the time was left outdoors. Not me but a neighbour got the idea to tie a bag of sand onto the starting handle and pour diesel into the spark plug holes a couple of times a week. Took about a month but I went out one morning to pour another drop of diesel into it and the bag of sand was resting on the floor. Freed off with no hardship at all.

Did a similar with a JD model D that was seized rock solid. Filled bores with diesel. Then wrapped a 8 mtr ratchet strap around the flywheel several times and then loaded the ratchet hooked up against the front axle.
Following week, topped bores up again and changed the direction of the strap. Did this every week for at least a month. When one day I released the strap, my mate noticed the flywheel jump back a little.
Ended up rocking the flywheel back and forth for ten minutes until I got a full turn. After a few hours work, getting a spark and cleaning out carb and one stuck valve. She was running.

 

[startinghandle]

Thanks for all replies, I have found out that the tractor is at the back of a shed with a lot of 'rubbish' all around it so it will be sometime before any access is made possible

 

[whipples]

50/50 mix of brake fluid and WD40 works well

 

[davidroberts30]

It's the phosphoric acid in the coke that does the trick. You can buy it online - £15 for 5l @30% concentration.

and people drink that sh!t

 

[tomlad]

Its alright with vodka tho that dilutes the acid

 

[TheTallGuy]

and people drink that sh!t

Phosphoric acid is non toxic & a relatively benign substance - especially at the level of dilution used is soft drinks. The main issue is dental enamel erosion & that requires significant levels of exposure.

 

[davidroberts30]

Phosphoric acid is non toxic & a relatively benign substance - especially at the level of dilution used is soft drinks. The main issue is dental enamel erosion & that requires significant levels of exposure.

its still shyte

 

[tomlad]

Aint phosporic in milk stone remover ??