Engine degreaser o-ring chain safe?

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Doing some searches, it seems people are divided on whether engine degreasers are or are not o-ring chain safe. Is there any evidence to support one side or the other?

FYI, I used it once on my chain, but I applied it to a rag, not directly to the chain.

I also noticed some companies sell their so called "special" degreasers that are o-ring chain safe, but maybe all engine degreasers are safe?
 
Originally Posted By: spasm3
i just wipe mine down with kerosene or wd 40 then lube.


This. Why chance it.
 
Originally Posted By: spasm3
i just wipe mine down with kerosene or wd 40 then lube.

well, to be honest, plenty of people claim WD40 is harmful to o-rings as well.
smile.gif
 
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: spasm3
i just wipe mine down with kerosene or wd 40 then lube.

well, to be honest, plenty of people claim WD40 is harmful to o-rings as well.
smile.gif



I've heard that too, i just dampen a cloth with it and wipe down, i don't spray or saturate the chain. My bike manual says use kerosene.
 
I think it depends on the formula/brand. If you do use it, make sure its safe for rubber components. Some state that they are safe for rubber and some say nothing.

I use WD40, never an issue. But I dont let it sit on the bike long term. Just spray it on, use a soft bristle toothbrush to knock the grime off, and lots of shop towels to dry it.
 
If you can find S100 gel here (some MC dealers have it) thats the stuff to use.
I have used it on o ring and x ring chains for 20 yrs without any problems.
Spray the chain down with it, let it sit 5 min then run the chain through a soft nylon brush, clean as new.

Dry and lube with S100 teflon white lube, its the best i ever used. Done right it doesn't sling off.

http://www.getgeared.co.uk/Sdoc_S100_Motorcycle_Gel_Cleaner_Spray_1L_Can
 
Every 2 weekends I clean mine with kerosen, ChainCleaner or wd40 and then after dry out, relub with silkolene titanium gel

cheers
 
Not if this will convince anyone, but since WD40 came out with that whole new line of products, I emailed them to ask what they felt would be the best product of theirs to clean an X ring/O Ring motorcycle chain and they recommended the original WD40 stating it was compatible with the rubber.
 
Interesting. I just found their Specialist Machine & Engine Degreaser. It says it's good for cleaning chains, but does not mention o-rings. It's probably a non-issue, but I sent them an email to confirm.
 
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Interesting. I just found their Specialist Machine & Engine Degreaser. It says it's good for cleaning chains, but does not mention o-rings. It's probably a non-issue, but I sent them an email to confirm.



That is why I emailed them, but they recommended the good ole original formula to me. Works for me since it cheaper. lol
 
Yeah, if I had read your post earlier, I would have just picked up regular WD40. I'll just keep that M&E Degreaser at this point.
 
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Yeah, if I had read your post earlier, I would have just picked up regular WD40. I'll just keep that M&E Degreaser at this point.


I have read it really takes baked on chain lube off. I may get a can for that as I am always getting chain lube on my long pipes on my Triumph.
 
Having now used it on my bicycle, I'm not all that impressed. It seems kind of weak. The regular engine degreaser made by Supertech I think (Walmart Branded) seemed more potent, but it also stunk very badly - I think naphtha was one of the ingredients. Again, I don't know which one is more o-ring friendly though.
 
The one made by Berryman sold at Wal Mart says its safe for rubber. Havent tried it though, but it worked well on the baked on nastiness on my Craftsman mower.
 
Kerosene put on with a old or cheap paint brush and let it sit a few minutes. Wipe with multilayer folded newspaper. Re-lube with you favorite chain lube. Back when I had a chain 22 years ago it was PJ1 in the blue can. My chains usually would last 20K.
 
To really clean your chain soak it in gas to remove all the
grit... petroleum products have no lasting effect on the X W or
O rings because instead of rubber chain manufactures today
actually use a highly fluorinated fluoroelastomer known
commercially as Viton or Kalrez... very tough stuff... It has a
excellent resistance to most chemicals including sulfur...
sulfur chloride... sulfur dioxide... sulfur hexaflouride to name
a few... most important it doesn't need protection from drying
out... they will far out last a chain's life...


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I think the issue with some products is not if they damage the O rings, but sneak by them and cause problems. I hear this all the time about Wd40.
 
I don't think there is too much risk of WD40 getting past the o-rings unless they are damaged, or you sprayed it with high pressure. Those o-rings are sandwiched in there pretty dang tight.
 
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