Will my lube cause certain death?

[Danny]

I've just noticed that my Finish Line Dry Lube has a warning message saying "Danger - harmful or fatal if swallowed. Flammable liquid and vapours".

What the heck's in it that's so dangerous, and would it be better for me and the environment to revert to basic cycle oil.

 

[Globalti]

Probably the solvent or carrier, which must be very volatile so as to dry off fast. It would either get absorbed in your stomach or spread out in a film like oil on a puddle, coat your lungs and suffocate you.

 

[Danny]

Even worse than I feared Maybe I should start using organic olive oil instead.

 

[Speicher]

Somewhat OT, but Rigid Raider, you might know the answer to this one.

Some time ago, I was cleaning my car windows with, I think, some sort of solvent based liquid, like "Windowlene" but stronger.

Half of the bottle got spilt in the garage, and then the car was parked in the garage. The split liquid would now be under the engine compartment.
A few days later, the car "dies" on me.

Diagnosis, broken fan belt. It was relatively new, you could still see the writing on it, IIRC. Engine repair was almost the value of the car. I have wondered since, if the (evaporating) window cleaner was strong enough to weaken the fan belt. Your comments would be appreciated.

 

[Mr Pig]

I have wondered since, if the (evaporating) window cleaner was strong enough to weaken the fan belt.

It's possible. It depends what was in the cleaner but some of these solvents etc are evil. Most of the really nastty stuff is banned though, or at least dosn't show up in domestic cleaners.

 

[MessenJah]

I've just noticed that my Finish Line Dry Lube has a warning message saying "Danger - harmful or fatal if swallowed. Flammable liquid and vapours".

What the heck's in it that's so dangerous, and would it be better for me and the environment to revert to basic cycle oil.

Petroleum-based solvent. Many things containing volatile petroleum products have that warning on them.

 

[Globalti]

Somewhat OT, but Rigid Raider, you might know the answer to this one.

Some time ago, I was cleaning my car windows with, I think, some sort of solvent based liquid, like "Windowlene" but stronger.

Half of the bottle got spilt in the garage, and then the car was parked in the garage. The split liquid would now be under the engine compartment.
A few days later, the car "dies" on me.

Diagnosis, broken fan belt. It was relatively new, you could still see the writing on it, IIRC. Engine repair was almost the value of the car. I have wondered since, if the (evaporating) window cleaner was strong enough to weaken the fan belt. Your comments would be appreciated.

No chance. Windowlene is based on kerosine as a solvent with a very good perfume and some kind of suspended chalky material, which collects the dissolved dirt then dries out for you to wipe it off. Professional window cleaner has a similar system but a more volatile solvent (I know, I used to inhale it when I valeted cars as a student!)

If a pool of either was spilled under the car the vapour wouldn't have harmed the fanbelt, which is an extremely tough composite of rubber and fibres. At worst it could have caused temporary softening of the surface of the rubber in prolonged direct contact. It was probably just coincidence.

What happened to the engine? Did it overheat or did the whole top end crash? if the latter it would have been your timing belt, which is a rubber toothed belt in many cars and needs to be changed at around 60,000 miles. If this breaks a lot of expensive damage can be caused. The timing belt is contained inside a dry part of the front of the engine so wouldn't be affected by vapour.

How old was your car? If the break was unexpectedly early check a few web fora for other similar reports because sometimes there are problems with timing belts breaking prematurely on certain cars, with warranty issues.

 

[Will1985]

Will my lube cause certain death?

Absolutely - in fact, if it doesn't I would recommend going back to the shop and demanding a refund or replacement!

 

[Amanda P]

I use that; the oil carrier is a very light oil, something similar in consistency to lighter fluid.

As long as you don't drink it or set fire to it, you'll be fine. I think that's what the warning label is trying (rather heavy-handedly) to tell you...

 

[andy_wrx]

Are Finish Line not an American company ?

From the land which gives us MacDonalds coffee cups which warn us that the contents might be hot ?

And bicycles which have stickers on saying that sysling is dangerous ?

 

[Danny]

Perhaps you would you like to drink some to prove that this is health and safety gone mad

 

[andy_wrx]

No, I'd like to suggest that telling me not to drink something that only an utter moron would drink (or leave handy for their toddler to get hold of and drink) is "health and safety gone mad"

 

[Speicher]

No chance. Windowlene is based on kerosine as a solvent with a very good perfume and some kind of suspended chalky material, which collects the dissolved dirt then dries out for you to wipe it off. Professional window cleaner has a similar system but a more volatile solvent (I know, I used to inhale it when I valeted cars as a student!)

If a pool of either was spilled under the car the vapour wouldn't have harmed the fanbelt, which is an extremely tough composite of rubber and fibres. At worst it could have caused temporary softening of the surface of the rubber in prolonged direct contact. It was probably just coincidence.

What happened to the engine? Did it overheat or did the whole top end crash? if the latter it would have been your timing belt, which is a rubber toothed belt in many cars and needs to be changed at around 60,000 miles. If this breaks a lot of expensive damage can be caused. The timing belt is contained inside a dry part of the front of the engine so wouldn't be affected by vapour.

How old was your car? If the break was unexpectedly early check a few web fora for other similar reports because sometimes there are problems with timing belts breaking prematurely on certain cars, with warranty issues.

Oh dear you are right, it was probably the timing belt. When it happened the car would have been about ten years old, and on it's second belt, I think, and coming up to approx 60,000 miles. Yes, it did a lot of expensive damage. I got the car fixed, but traded it in a short while later. Thank you for clarifying this. I do not really know much about what goes on under the bonnet.

 

[on the road]

I agree with Rigid Raider, but you could of had a water (coolant/anti-freeze) leak, if coolant or anti-freeze is leaking on to the timing belt it will weaken it. I had that with my last car, the water pump was leaking and was dripping anti-freeze on to the timing belt, the belt was snapping something like every 3 months, luckily it didn't do too much damage and I was able to fix it meself, but in the end I got a new water pump fitted.