Hi...

Having read the lawn mower story I'm brave enough to go
far enough off topic to ask a snowblower one...

Got an on-going problem with the control cables... I think
they're called bowen or bowden cables ? The same things that
you find in lawnmowers for the throttle control, on a
snowblower.

Here (Winnipeg) it gets cold. I mean COLD. And I go through
a couple of them each winter. What happens is that I blow
lots of snow for a while... then throttle back to take a
bit of a break. Meanwhile, the blown snow "mist" has worked
it's way into that cable, now freezes, and when I go to
move it it's seized up and damages.

Finally to my question. Anyone any idea at all of what I
could inject into that cable to prevent this problem?

Thanks in advance for any tips, and take care.

Ken

On Thu, 27 Jan 2005 04:13:58 GMT Ken Weitzel wrote in
Message id: aUZJd.183145$6l.151995@pd7tw2no:


Hi...

Having read the lawn mower story I'm brave enough to go
far enough off topic to ask a snowblower one...

Got an on-going problem with the control cables... I think
they're called bowen or bowden cables ? The same things that
you find in lawnmowers for the throttle control, on a
snowblower.

Here (Winnipeg) it gets cold. I mean COLD. And I go through
a couple of them each winter. What happens is that I blow
lots of snow for a while... then throttle back to take a
bit of a break. Meanwhile, the blown snow "mist" has worked
it's way into that cable, now freezes, and when I go to
move it it's seized up and damages.

Finally to my question. Anyone any idea at all of what I
could inject into that cable to prevent this problem?

Thanks in advance for any tips, and take care.

Alcohol?

WD-40, teflon-bearing or silicone spray.

Ken Weitzel wrote:

Finally to my question. Anyone any idea at all of what I
could inject into that cable to prevent this problem?

I am in Montreal. We are only in the -20's to -30's these days, with
wind-chill factors to the -40's. I know what you are talking about, when you
mean cold weather. During the winter months, I have also been up to the
Arctic a number of times, to do some work. I have been in the -50's to -60's
a few times. We are just starting February next week (just like everyone
else is), where we would expect to have even colder temperatures. I remember
a few nights last year where we were down to about -50 something.

I would try soaking the cables in synthetic motor oil, and then installing
them. This type of oil should also not normally damage rubber pieces. It
also stays very well on things, and will not thicken in the cold, as like
WD-40, and the rest of these types. Where there is oil, there should not be
any water. The synthetic oil should stay around the same viscosity at the
cold temperatures, therefore the cable should not jam on you. If you use
WD-40, or one of these, this will thicken up terribly, and you may not be
able to move the coaxial wire line on the inside of the cable in the severe
cold.

I use synthetic motor oil to lubricate the door hinges, and lots of other
things on my SUV, and car. I sometimes leave the SUV parked outside for a
few days in our typical cold temperatures. I remember last year, I left it
out in -40's temperatures for about 2 days. When I came back it started
all-right (with some coaxing), but it was a bitch to get the shifter to
move. I had to let it warm up for about 20 minutes just to get it to get in
to 1'st gear. Even the clutch, which is hydraulic assist was harder to press
in, and was releasing slower. Then I was not able to make it sychro to
shift to 2'nd. I stopped it, and when I managed to get it in 2'nd, I drove a
few miles like that until the tranny warmed up enough to be able to shift
it. I later on put in a less thicker gear oil in the transmission, and it is
a bit better in the cold weather this year.

I saw someone suggested alcohol. In -30 to -50, the alcohol will evaporate
just the same. Inside of one of these control cables, I would give the
alcohol about 2 minutes at the maximum in this weather.

--

Jerry G.
=====

"Ken Weitzel" wrote in message
news:aUZJd.183145$6l.151995@pd7tw2no...

Hi...

Having read the lawn mower story I'm brave enough to go
far enough off topic to ask a snowblower one...

Got an on-going problem with the control cables... I think
they're called bowen or bowden cables ? The same things that
you find in lawnmowers for the throttle control, on a
snowblower.

Here (Winnipeg) it gets cold. I mean COLD. And I go through
a couple of them each winter. What happens is that I blow
lots of snow for a while... then throttle back to take a
bit of a break. Meanwhile, the blown snow "mist" has worked
it's way into that cable, now freezes, and when I go to
move it it's seized up and damages.

Finally to my question. Anyone any idea at all of what I
could inject into that cable to prevent this problem?

Thanks in advance for any tips, and take care.

Ken

I know that you can get speedometer cable lubricant/grease at an automobile
parts store. I'd suspect it would stay there and be good at the temp
extreme, but am not sure how it would hold up to the moisture . I don't
think it would hurt to give it a try. The key is that you need something
that will lubricate and keep water from entering the cable.

Another thought is could you formulate a shield around or over the end of
the cable where I'd suspect the water is entering it?

Bob

"Ken Weitzel" wrote in message
news:aUZJd.183145$6l.151995@pd7tw2no...

Hi...

Having read the lawn mower story I'm brave enough to go
far enough off topic to ask a snowblower one...

Got an on-going problem with the control cables... I think
they're called bowen or bowden cables ? The same things that
you find in lawnmowers for the throttle control, on a
snowblower.

Here (Winnipeg) it gets cold. I mean COLD. And I go through
a couple of them each winter. What happens is that I blow
lots of snow for a while... then throttle back to take a
bit of a break. Meanwhile, the blown snow "mist" has worked
it's way into that cable, now freezes, and when I go to
move it it's seized up and damages.

Finally to my question. Anyone any idea at all of what I
could inject into that cable to prevent this problem?

Thanks in advance for any tips, and take care.

Ken

Ken Weitzel wrote:
Hi...

Having read the lawn mower story I'm brave enough to go
far enough off topic to ask a snowblower one...

Got an on-going problem with the control cables... I think
they're called bowen or bowden cables ? The same things that
you find in lawnmowers for the throttle control, on a
snowblower.

Here (Winnipeg) it gets cold. I mean COLD. And I go through
a couple of them each winter. What happens is that I blow
lots of snow for a while... then throttle back to take a
bit of a break. Meanwhile, the blown snow "mist" has worked
it's way into that cable, now freezes, and when I go to
move it it's seized up and damages.

Finally to my question. Anyone any idea at all of what I
could inject into that cable to prevent this problem?

Thanks in advance for any tips, and take care.

WD-40--although much-maligned for it's misuse in other applications--is
designed to displace water (WD=Water Displacement). It's possible that it
might work in this situation, although I think I'd try some sort of
alternate cable if it doesn't work....

jak
Ken

Hi...

Thanks to all of you the tips. Think I've got it
now, betcha I'll never ever have to change one of
those durned cables on a -40 degree day again

Take care.

Ken

Ken,

Please report back on what worked (and what did not) so we know what to do
when confronted by this problem ourselves.

Bob
..
"Ken Weitzel" wrote in message
news:uIkKd.193484$8l.134892@pd7tw1no...


Hi...

Thanks to all of you the tips. Think I've got it
now, betcha I'll never ever have to change one of
those durned cables on a -40 degree day again

Take care.

Ken