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Will standard rubbing alcohol dissolve ATF residue? [message #299967]

Sun, 01 May 2016 06:57

Ken Burton

Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana

Karma: 10

Senior Member

It is a long story but I have a solenoid that controls vacuum to an actuator for an automotive HVAC air door. That solenoid is now sticking and will not close all the way. When energized the solenoid only provides about 4 to 5 PSI to to the actuator instead of normal 15 or so to operate the door. To remove to this solenoid I will have to tear apart the entire front of the dash. It will not be a fun job. I have access to the hose the solenoid controls and it is moving some air through it when I unplug it.

I got this idea of sticking the hose in a bottle of rubbing alcohol (or something else) and sucking some alcohol through it (and the solenoid valve) and on into the engine. I can not actually see the solenoid but I do have access to the hoses going to it.

Any ideas will be readily accepted.

Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana

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Re: [GMCnet] Will standard rubbing alcohol dissolve ATF residue? [message #299971 is a reply to message #299967]

Sun, 01 May 2016 06:11

USAussie

Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia

Karma: 6

Senior Member

Ken,

I would suggest an experiment.

Pour a small amount of ATF in an old pan or pot and coat the sides and bottom then pour it out. Using a hair dryer evaporate the
fluid. Let it sit overnight and see if the alcohol will work.

Regards,
Rob M.
USAussie - Downunder
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426

-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces@list.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Ken Burton
Sent: Sunday, May 01, 2016 6:58 AM
To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
Subject: [GMCnet] Will standard rubbing alcohol dissolve ATF residue?

It is a long story but I have a solenoid that controls vacuum to an actuator for an automotive HVAC air door. That solenoid is now
sticking and will
not close all the way. When energized the solenoid only provides about 4 to 5 PSI to to the actuator instead of normal 15 or so to
operate the door.
To remove to this solenoid I will have to tear apart the entire front of the dash. It will not be a fun job. I have access to the
hose the solenoid
controls and it is moving some air through it when I unplug it.

I got this idea of sticking the hose in a bottle of rubbing alcohol (or something else) and sucking some alcohol through it (and the
solenoid valve)
and on into the engine. I can not actually see the solenoid but I do have access to the hoses going to it.

Any ideas will be readily accepted.

--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana

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Regards, Rob M. (USAussie) The Pedantic Mechanic Sydney, Australia '75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428 '75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426

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Re: Will standard rubbing alcohol dissolve ATF residue? [message #299972 is a reply to message #299967]

Sun, 01 May 2016 08:36

larry.whisler

Messages: 356
Registered: August 2005

Karma: 8

Senior Member

Ken,

I was thinking of cleaners that might not be as strong
as alcohol and some of the electrical contact cleaners
that are safe for plastics came to mind.

Not sure if it will dissolve dried ATF but you could
try Rob's method and see if it works.

I thought this stuff might be a little easier on the
rubber diaphragm.

larry

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Re: Will standard rubbing alcohol dissolve ATF residue? [message #299974 is a reply to message #299967]

Sun, 01 May 2016 08:55

Dennis S

Messages: 3046
Registered: November 2005

Karma: 2

Senior Member

Ken

Boeshield is an excellent cleaner and lubricant - it will dissolve gasoline varnish - and I would think would work well.

http://boeshield.com

I use it on electrical panels and even antique fishing reels.

Dennis

Ken Burton wrote on Sun, 01 May 2016 06:57

It is a long story but I have a solenoid that controls vacuum to an actuator for an automotive HVAC air door. That solenoid is now sticking and will not close all the way. When energized the solenoid only provides about 4 to 5 PSI to to the actuator instead of normal 15 or so to operate the door. To remove to this solenoid I will have to tear apart the entire front of the dash. It will not be a fun job. I have access to the hose the solenoid controls and it is moving some air through it when I unplug it.

I got this idea of sticking the hose in a bottle of rubbing alcohol (or something else) and sucking some alcohol through it (and the solenoid valve) and on into the engine. I can not actually see the solenoid but I do have access to the hoses going to it.

Any ideas will be readily accepted.

Dennis S
73 Painted Desert 230
Memphis TN Metro

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Re: Will standard rubbing alcohol dissolve ATF residue? [message #299977 is a reply to message #299967]

Sun, 01 May 2016 09:02

JohnL455

Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL

Karma: 12

Senior Member

WD-40. Disolves grease and tar and leaves light lube film. Spray straw. Or if electrical spray Caig F5 in there. Safe on plastics and rubber. Not sure if you are talking vac motor or actual solenoid. F5 would clean and lube either.

John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II

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Re: [GMCnet] Will standard rubbing alcohol dissolve ATF residue? [message #299979 is a reply to message #299977]

Sun, 01 May 2016 09:18

Mr ERFisher

Messages: 7117
Registered: August 2005

Karma: 2

Senior Member

I would ask Emory

On Sunday, May 1, 2016, John R. Lebetski wrote:

> WD-40. Disolves grease and tar and leaves light lube film. Spray straw.
> Or if electrical spray Caig F5 in there. Safe on plastics and rubber. Not
> sure if you are talking vac motor or actual solenoid. F5 would clean and
> lube either.
> --
> John Lebetski
> Woodstock, IL
> 77 Eleganza II
> Source America First
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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>

--
Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
-------
http://gmcmotorhome.info/
Alternator Protection Cable
http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
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Re: [GMCnet] Will standard rubbing alcohol dissolve ATF residue? [message #299987 is a reply to message #299979]

Sun, 01 May 2016 14:58

Ken Burton

Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana

Karma: 10

Senior Member

I am hoping that Emery hops in here. I like all of hte ideas presented. I was worried about alcohol being too strong, but he other ideas like WD-40 and Boeshield and Electrical contact cleaner sound great. I also though of Kroil, but I think that is more for rust.

Where these solenoids are buried makes it impossible to even see them. There are 5 of them in one manifold but so far it looking like only one of them is sticking. That is why I'm looking to clean them in place using their hoses. I can not even tell what they are made of but I'm afraid that they are some kind of plastic. Everything on cars these days is plastic. I'm tempted to take a trip to a junk yard and look at one that has the dash torn out just to see what I'm working with.

Here is the item I'm working on. Getting to it is the issue.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/131744512447?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana

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Re: [GMCnet] Will standard rubbing alcohol dissolve ATF residue? [message #299988 is a reply to message #299987]

Sun, 01 May 2016 16:07

emerystora

Messages: 4442
Registered: January 2004

Karma: 13

Senior Member

Ken
I would suggest that you try mineral spirits or naphtha. They are petroleum based and not as harsh a solvent as lacquer thinner, MEK or acetone. You don't want to use too strong a solvent as you don't know what is in the valves you are trying to clean. Alcohol might work but it's not as good a solvent for deposits such as varnish.

Mineral spirits is commonly used for flushing automotive air conditioning systems as it doesn't damage the seals or o rings in the system.

Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Frederick, CO

> On May 1, 2016, at 1:58 PM, Ken Burton wrote:
>
> I am hoping that Emery hops in here. I like all of hte ideas presented. I was worried about alcohol being too strong, but he other ideas like WD-40
> and Boeshield and Electrical contact cleaner sound great. I also though of Kroil, but I think that is more for rust.
>
> Where these solenoids are buried makes it impossible to even see them. There are 5 of them in one manifold but so far it looking like only one of
> them is sticking. That is why I'm looking to clean them in place using their hoses. I can not even tell what they are made of but I'm afraid that
> they are some kind of plastic. Everything on cars these days is plastic. I'm tempted to take a trip to a junk yard and look at one that has the dash
> torn out just to see what I'm working with.
>
> Here is the item I'm working on. Getting to it is the issue.
>
> http://www.ebay.com/itm/131744512447?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
>
>
>
>
> --
> Ken Burton - N9KB
> 76 Palm Beach
> Hebron, Indiana
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

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Re: [GMCnet] Will standard rubbing alcohol dissolve ATF residue? [message #299989 is a reply to message #299987]

Sun, 01 May 2016 16:05

rod utterback

Messages: 18
Registered: April 2016

Karma: 1

Junior Member

Hi guys, I was watching this issue progress and would like to offer a thought. Ken mentioned that the normal signal was
Not present at the actuator. Have you attached a vacuum pump (like a hand operated one) to the actuator to eliminate the possibility that your low reading is due to a torn diaphragm. My experience is that the solenoids work or don’t. I believe that a partially opening solenoid would simply result in a slow operating actuator. (Assuming all else is in good condition). Just a thought.

I’m not a expert on the GMC, but I am on BMW.

Rod
’73 Canyonlands 26ft
San Diego, CA

Sent from Mail for Windows 10

From: Ken Burton
Sent: Sunday, May 1, 2016 12:59 PM
To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Will standard rubbing alcohol dissolve ATF residue?

I am hoping that Emery hops in here. I like all of hte ideas presented. I was worried about alcohol being too strong, but he other ideas like WD-40
and Boeshield and Electrical contact cleaner sound great. I also though of Kroil, but I think that is more for rust.

Where these solenoids are buried makes it impossible to even see them. There are 5 of them in one manifold but so far it looking like only one of
them is sticking. That is why I'm looking to clean them in place using their hoses. I can not even tell what they are made of but I'm afraid that
they are some kind of plastic. Everything on cars these days is plastic. I'm tempted to take a trip to a junk yard and look at one that has the dash
torn out just to see what I'm working with.

Here is the item I'm working on. Getting to it is the issue.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/131744512447?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana

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Re: Will standard rubbing alcohol dissolve ATF residue? [message #299990 is a reply to message #299967]

Sun, 01 May 2016 16:44

JohnL455

Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL

Karma: 12

Senior Member

F5 is for plastics.

John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II

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Re: [GMCnet] Will standard rubbing alcohol dissolve ATF residue? [message #300006 is a reply to message #299989]

Mon, 02 May 2016 03:16

Ken Burton

Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana

Karma: 10

Senior Member

Thanks Emery. I tried your mineral spirits suggestion and after ingesting about 1/2 cupp of the stuff the pressure (vacuum) came up to 15. Te engine did not seen to care about ingesting that little bit of mineral spirits.

I figured it was fixed. Guess what? It is still failing to activate the actuator.

I disconnected the vacuum line at the actuator and pumped it down with a hand held vacuum pump. It holds 20 for a reasonable period of time and the actuator moves slightly.

This actuator has two sides with two vacuum hoses. I have not tried to pump the other side of the actuator yet because that is the side where it is parked.

I tried to disconnect the actuator from the door it is operating but was unsuccessful due to a push nut installed on a plastic bell crank. It is just about impossible to get any tools up there. I got tired of standing on my head under the dash so I quit for the day.

I actually have two problems. The second one is an electric operated actuator that operates the blend door. I found a cracked gear inside hte actuator and replaced it thinking that would fix that problem. It did not, so I need to remove it again to see what is wrong with it. It is held in place with two screws that I can only move about 1/8 of a turn at a time.

So I am sharing my time between these two problems.

Maybe I'll try again tomorrow.

Thanks for the help.

Ken B.

Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana

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Re: [GMCnet] Will standard rubbing alcohol dissolve ATF residue? [message #300024 is a reply to message #300006]

Mon, 02 May 2016 10:43

Bullitthead

Messages: 1411
Registered: November 2013

Karma: 5

Senior Member

If that actuator only moves "slightly" with 20 inches of vacuum, you've got something obstructing it's movement. Maybe you had a visit from Mickey or Minnie and he/she built a nest or chewed something to pieces in the ductwork (plenum). Pretty sure it didn't die in there as you would smell that as soon as air moves anywhere in the system.

Terry Kelpien ASE Master Technician 73 Glacier 260 Smithfield, Va.

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Re: [GMCnet] Will standard rubbing alcohol dissolve ATF residue? [message #300073 is a reply to message #300024]

Tue, 03 May 2016 00:28

Ken Burton

Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana

Karma: 10

Senior Member

Yes, that is where I'm headed next. I did not get to work on it today and tomorrow I'll be packing for the BS rally so I guess it will sit there for a week or two just occupying a space in my garage. I was going to take it to BS but now I'm using my wife's Jimmy instead. She will have to drive my truck for a week or so as she is not going to BS.

Thanks for all of the help and suggestions. I'll let you know what I eventually find wrong.

Man I hate working under a dash.

Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana

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