Castor Oil?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (1)
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Springtown,
TX
Posts: 2,424
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Castor Oil?
Hey guys, what about using pure castor oil as afterrun? I already use a castor-based fuel in all of my engines, and was thinking that pure castor should be good for use as after-run. What about it? Pros, cons?
Thanks...
Thanks...
#2
My Feedback: (13)
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Chesterfield, MO
Posts: 1,857
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Castor Oil?
It is probably fine. But if you leave your engine for a long time (like two years) the castor tends to gum up and stick the piston inside the cylinder. I use automatic transmission fluid.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Spartanburg,
SC
Posts: 3,770
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Castor Oil?
I've never used after run oil of any type. In 20 years, I've only had a problem once. When I left my Como .51 in the car trunk on a warm, damp summer night, the bearings rusted immediately.
Dr.1
Dr.1
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (1)
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Springtown,
TX
Posts: 2,424
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Castor Oil?
The absolute longest any of my engines ever go without being ran is a couple of months. I make a point to fly planes that I haven't flown in a while if I can't remember flying them in the past couple of months! I'm thinking of trying it to see. However, I bought some tonight at walmart (medicinal grade) and it's pretty expensive. Two bucks for a little bottle. ATF would definitely be cheaper. I've used ATF before, but I was just looking for something more "natural,"--something that lubes the engine all the time anyway!
Another thing to mention--my planes stay in a trailer, and so get cold in the winter. Would the cold accelerate the "gumming up" effect?
Another thing to mention--my planes stay in a trailer, and so get cold in the winter. Would the cold accelerate the "gumming up" effect?
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Deep River, ON, CANADA
Posts: 3,299
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
RE: Castor Oil?
In very cold weather, castor oil turns waxy (it literally becomes a solid), but it returns to the liquid state when things warm up. If you use castor as after-run oil & store it outside, then want to use the engine in winter, you may have difficulty turning it over. That same phenomenon makes the use of castor lubed fuel inadvisable in very cold weather, you lose part of the lubricant. Additionally, the waxy particles in the fuel can clog the NV, leaning out the engine & robbing it of more lubricant.
Great stuff in warmer weather though.
Great stuff in warmer weather though.
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (1)
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Springtown,
TX
Posts: 2,424
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Castor Oil?
Good info, guys. As I said before, I bought some castor last night thinking I was going to use it as after-run, but I think I'll go and get some ATF. I'd like to get some MMO air tool oil, if I can find some, but I know without a doubt that ATF will do the chore! Especially as often as I fly my planes....
Thanks
Thanks
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Deep River, ON, CANADA
Posts: 3,299
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
RE: Castor Oil?
ATF is close to perfect -- it is low viscosity, so that it reaches every nook & cranny, it has sufficient surface tension to stick to the metal parts, it is stable for a loooong time without excess gumming, it burns off cleanly when you light the fire, and it is very cheap and readily available.
#9
Senior Member
RE: Castor Oil?
Rislone (in the yellow container) is also a good after run oil substitute as is the ATF. Marvel Mystery oil is not to good--no water protection--but Marvel Mystery Air Tool oil (or any air tool oil) is also a good substitute for after run oil. Poor, but better than nothing is sewing machine oil, 3in1 oil or gun oil; all far to thin for after run oil use. Probably the most for the buck is the Rislone.
#12
Senior Member
My Feedback: (1)
RE: Castor Oil?
I get a quart of benol (racing castor oil) from tower for $5-6 and top off each gallon of fuel with it..about 4 oz and dont use after run oil...all my engines are bushed though and stay inside,,if you have an engine you havent used in 2 years...take it to a swap meet so someone else can!!....Rog
#13
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Upplands Vasby, SWEDEN
Posts: 7,816
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
RE: Castor Oil?
Hi!
Using Castor oil as a after run oil or storage oil is not good.
The reason for this is that Castor oil tends to gum up (oxidize) over time and this will ruin the ball beraings and also make the engine stiff and hard to turn over. A much better way is to use ATF oil or just synthetic auto oil.
For shorter periods (weeks or months) I prefere Castrol DWF spray oil.
Regards!
Jan Karlsson
Sweden
Using Castor oil as a after run oil or storage oil is not good.
The reason for this is that Castor oil tends to gum up (oxidize) over time and this will ruin the ball beraings and also make the engine stiff and hard to turn over. A much better way is to use ATF oil or just synthetic auto oil.
For shorter periods (weeks or months) I prefere Castrol DWF spray oil.
Regards!
Jan Karlsson
Sweden
#14
Banned
My Feedback: (4)
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: suncook, NH
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Castor Oil?
all i can say is there are cheaper alternatives that do a better job.save the castor oil and add it to your fuel,the extra oil will not hurt.i think the oil content is on the low dide these days any way just to keep the cost of fuel down.i remember when oil content was 28%then it went to 25% then 22% then 20% now 18%.fai fuel used to be 75% methanol and 25% castor.