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Dangerous Old Wife's tales #

Posted by Tony Powell on September 22, 2016, 9:37 am

Customer called for a quote and during conversation tells me he was told to "boil old engine oil" to use as a freeing oil and "to put it on whilst still hot"

As far as I can see this is extremely dangerous for the following reasons...

Fire - oil could take light whilst still on the stove burning down the house..

Toxic fumes - Persons near by could be breathing god knows what in the fumes..

Burns - High risks in transporting the oil to the job and also applying the oil..

Environmental - definitely not good for the environment..

Waste - waste of time a propriety easing oil would be far more effective..

Anyone herd a similar old Wife's tale !!

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Re: Dangerous Old Wife's tales

Posted by Tony Ludford on September 23, 2016, 7:44 am, in reply to "Dangerous Old Wife's tales"

You're saying that Tony, as a child I'm sure I remember watching a documentary about steam trains and they used hot oil to free up seized bolts.
Creating a wall using clay and pouring the oil into it....

Edit: But was that down to the fact the oil was to thick to penetrate when cold, so warming it up was a necessity?

Re: Dangerous Old Wife's tales

Posted by Andy Mason on September 23, 2016, 8:25 am, in reply to "Re: Dangerous Old Wife's tales"
Andy Mason

Probably due to expansion and contraction.
My biggest worry would be that old oil is known to be carcogenic

Re: Dangerous Old Wife's tales

Posted by Antony Powell on September 23, 2016, 2:51 pm, in reply to "Re: Dangerous Old Wife's tales"

A steam what ???? I'm just a young un at 50 you know can't remember that far back......

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Re: Dangerous Old Wife's tales

Posted by Tom Williams on September 24, 2016, 12:39 pm, in reply to "Dangerous Old Wife's tales"
Thomas Williams

Sadly, a high proportion of the materials we deal with are carcinogenic. I think that many of us will have been in contact with used engine oil on an almost daily basis. Latex and nitrile gloves are a relatively recent development for some.
I noticed that it said on a pack of oil absorbent granules: 'Now contains no harmful material' So presumably, it must have previously.

Re: Dangerous Old Wife's tales

Posted by Tim Watts on September 26, 2016, 9:10 pm, in reply to "Re: Dangerous Old Wife's tales"
Tim Watts

While we are on the subject I wonder how many mechanics are aware that solvent such as cellulous thinner ,carb cleaner etc destroy the pancrous and liver, just by absorbtion through the skin of the hands..
I found out the hard way.
Gloves and barrier cream please guys..

Re: Dangerous Old Wife's tales #

Posted by Andy mason on September 27, 2016, 9:23 am, in reply to "Dangerous Old Wife's tales #"
Andy Mason

Unfortunately all of us who have been in the trade for a good few years, are probably from a health point of view, ticking time bombs, waiting to go off, when you look at the crap we have touched, absorbed, ingested and breathed in over the years.
Andy

Re: Dangerous Old Wife's tales

Posted by Lee Mackintosh on September 27, 2016, 10:02 pm, in reply to "Re: Dangerous Old Wife's tales"
Lee Mackintosh

Tim,

I have handled paint thinners for about 20 years without even thinking of the dangers of it. I often cleaned paint off of my hands with it when the usual hand cleaners haven't shifted it.

Got me thinking now, as for my father, almost 50 years using thinners etc.

Its amazing how we abuse our bodies without giving our health later on in life a thought.

I know now things are changing.

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