What to use to prevent choke cable icing up in winter?

Alan K · Nov 22, 2017

Was wondering what is a good thing to use to prevent a choke cable from icing or freezing up in winter. It usually is ok at 10 degrees or above but anything colder it no longer works and I have to disconnect at the carburetor and run it from there.

in-too-deep · Nov 22, 2017

I think you'll need to dry it out to have any success. Can you pull the wire out of the housing? Clean it up and wipe it down with grease or heavy lubricant.

ohiojim · Nov 22, 2017

WD-40, WD stands for water dissplaceing

Dieseltech · Nov 22, 2017

When my gas forklift choke cable did that, I removed it from the carb bracket, spray lubed the complete cable and slid a clear vinyl hose over it to help keep it dry as possible. Never had trouble after that.

Steve@Advance · Nov 22, 2017

This might sound off the wall, but could you feed the cable through a piece of fuel line, give it a shot of antifreeze?

rrlund · Nov 22, 2017

WD40 or PB Blaster. I wonder how Fluid Film would work for it? My tractors sit inside,so it's not really a problem.

Michael Soldan · Nov 22, 2017

Exactly...Water Displacement 40 or WD40 to those who think it is a lubricant. It does contain a small amount of fish oil,but it drys and displaces water. After a good dose of WD40 I would give the cable a coating of spray oil or Deep Creep(TM) and the cable won't be a problem

Dan in North Houston · Nov 22, 2017

Go to a motorcycle shop, they will have some spray cans of cable lube. The cans come with a thin tube for the nozzle and a special clamp that goes over the end of the cable and seals it off. The tube fits into the clamp and ensures that the lube goes into the cable. You could also use the clamp for WD-40.

centash · Nov 22, 2017

Right! And coat the outside of the cable with grease to keep water from getting in. Ben

rustyfarmall · Nov 22, 2017

(quoted from post at 10:29:15 11/22/17) WD40 or PB Blaster. I wonder how Fluid Film would work for it? My tractors sit inside,so it's not really a problem.

Yes! Any kind of lubricant. Back in the day, we kept some ATF in a squirt can. Start at the highest point of the cable and apply the lube. Let it run down and soak into the cable.

WayneLee · Nov 22, 2017

I do know that WD 40 will work.

rustyfarmall · Nov 22, 2017

(quoted from post at 12:35:30 11/22/17) I do know that WD 40 will work.

Yes. WD-40 is capable of doing a whole lot more than what a lot of folks on this board give it credit for. Yes, it does lubricate. Don't let anyone tell you it doesn't.

the tractor vet · Nov 22, 2017

We;; what i did for the 580 C K as that choke knob and cable sat on the face of a slant dash . I took and place a plastic air line over the cable all the way up to the dash snd stopped it just behind the bracket , Then i pulled the cable all the way out of it;s shield and took a pump oil can with 10 W oil and loaded it up and stuff the cable back in . Never had it freeze up after that . The bad part with this unit was it was kept on the shop at night facing out in the winter for snow removal , but during the day it was moved outside and sat out there till when ever then brought back inside for the night . So it's temp swing from inside to outside for 10-16 hours then back in the warm so it sweat . with the plastic air line over the cable and the oil really helped .

D beatty · Nov 22, 2017

People need need to read up on WD40. WD40 will loosen but does not lubricate. What little lubricate in it is just enough to help loosen item but lubricate it.

2510Paul · Nov 22, 2017

Normal WD40 will not work in this application, period. I proved it to myself. You need a Silicone based lubricant that displaces water. I learned this on my garden tractor with the snow blower. The dealer directed me to the Silicone based lubricant when my throttle cable was always froze up the next time I went to use the tractor.

By the way, I see WD40 makes Silicone based lubricant products also.

Paul

mj · Nov 22, 2017

(quoted from post at 10:34:00 11/22/17) Was wondering what is a good thing to use to prevent a choke cable from icing or freezing up in winter. It usually is ok at 10 degrees or above but anything colder it no longer works and I have to disconnect at the carburetor and run it from there.

Use WD40 on it, then wipe off the excess and tightly wrap with black plastic electrician's tape

D7fever · Nov 22, 2017

On my old cable operated fisher plow, I used to lube the cables with straight prestone permanent antifreeze.
It worked and kept them from freezing.

farmer656 · Nov 22, 2017

I use Vaseline,, does not attract water , works well for me

hd6gtom · Nov 22, 2017

I spent many hours in the lab in the early 1970's testing spray lubricants. WD 40 was as good as anything on the market then and a better lubricant than most. What's it say on the can-- Lubricant of course.

IA Roy · Nov 23, 2017

The correct police will not like it, but I replaced the choke cable with a push pull rod. It never freezes up. However it was pretty simple on an old ugly beast like that. I did leave the cable in place so if I ever sell it, they will know how it was "supposed to be".

rustyfarmall · Nov 23, 2017

(quoted from post at 08:36:37 11/23/17) The correct police will not like it, but I replaced the choke cable with a push pull rod. It never freezes up. However it was pretty simple on an old ugly beast like that. I did leave the cable in place so if I ever sell it, they will know how it was "supposed to be".

I like simple.

Rich'sToys · Nov 23, 2017

McMaster Carr has a plastic tubing that fits snugly over those cables. Looks neat and keeps the moisture out as well.

What to use to prevent choke cable icing up in winter?

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