Hot penetrating fluid

[del mar]

I have spent a couple of nights spraying penetrating fluid on the exhaust manifold nuts in preparation for removing them.

yesterday I had to move the car so I started it and within seconds there was smoke billowing out through the bonnet vents. The exhaust manifolds appeared to be on fire there was that much smoke.

It took me about 5 mins of worrying before I realised is was the fluid burning off !

[E-bmw]

Shock-horror....... Oil burns/makes smoke when heated!

[tapkaJohnD]

If you are likely to do this again, invest in some bronze nuts, that will not seize on the studs.
John

[markie76]

del mar said:

I have spent a couple of nights spraying penetrating fluid on the exhaust manifold nuts in preparation for removing them.

yesterday I had to move the car so I started it and within seconds there was smoke billowing out through the bonnet vents. The exhaust manifolds appeared to be on fire there was that much smoke.

It took me about 5 mins of worrying before I realised is was the fluid burning off !

lol - we've all had moments like that

[GreenV8S]

del mar said:

It took me about 5 mins of worrying before I realised is was the fluid burning off !

You worrying might not have been misplaced. The problem with oil is that the flash point is below its boiling point so oil will catch fire if you get it hot enough - if there's enough oil around, it can set the car on fire. Petrol on the other hand will evaporate before it catches fire so just dribbling it on a hot exhaust won't set fire to anything - at least, not until the vapour finds a spark.

[sgtBerbatov]

Which penetrating fluid did you use?

I had a similar problem trying to get some nuts off. I was recommended PlusGas and my word it's a revelation! Works so much better than, well, anything else I tried.

There's also something called Oxim Spray? I bought it at Euro Car Parts on a whim. On rusted/corroded nuts it dissolves the rust away very well, making it easier to get a grip of it.