Its that time of year for freezing door locks

[ARB1977]

I cant for the life of me figure out why my wifes Jetta has a issue with the passenger door freezing shut. It did this when temps got in the mid 40's...now thats in the south it gets worse. The funny thing is that if you warm the inside for about 5 mins the door will open. Ive used teflon spray on the lock and door seal...no luck.

What do you think?

 

[Craddosk]

WD-40 works well for me. It displaces the water (hence WD) and thus doesn't freeze.

 

[Quest]

you got water(condensation) in your tumbler and that's very sad.

The only way to overcome this is to check and see if you are missing that key hole flap that would somewhat keep the moisture away (to a certain extent, not 100%), or you may have to consider spraying your lock tumbler to de-ice everytime with some de-icer fluid.

My wifey's old Camry always does that (car sold), the new one hasn't happen yet (*grin*)

Q.

 

[Neil_A]

I'm sorry there is no way a door can freeze shut in the 40's. Freezing point is 32F. Maybe there is metal on metal contact and the cooler temps make the problem worse. Try silcone spray on hinges and contact points.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: Quest
you got water(condensation) in your tumbler and that's very sad.

The only way to overcome this is to check and see if you are missing that key hole flap that would somewhat keep the moisture away (to a certain extent, not 100%), or you may have to consider spraying your lock tumbler to de-ice everytime with some de-icer fluid.

My wifey's old Camry always does that (car sold), the new one hasn't happen yet (*grin*)

Q.


I have that problem with my Aerostar, the door lock tumblers freeze. I keep them well lubed, and found if I take a business card type refigerator magnet and put it over the lock before freezing rain and snow I no longer have the problem. Di-Electric grease works well on the weather stripping, I rub it in really well, nice and thin. You do have to watch your clothes if you really cake it on.

 

[ShiningArcanine]

Originally Posted By: Neil_A
I'm sorry there is no way a door can freeze shut in the 40's. Freezing point is 32F. Maybe there is metal on metal contact and the cooler temps make the problem worse. Try silcone spray on hinges and contact points.


It is possible that while the ambient temperature is above the freezing point, the actual surfaces are at the freezing point. Today, I found frost on my car windows, despite it being 39 degrees Farenheit. My assumption is that it was below freezing earlier in the morning, although I have no proof of that, aside from the frost on my car windows.

 

[Nick R]

My trunk doessn't open when cold...I hit the button but the motor doesn't clunk and open. =\

 

[oilboy123]

I have been using white spray grease.

 

[nthach]

I prefer lock-ease.

 

[milwaukee]

Use tri-flow or breakfree. Much better cold weather performance that what has been mentioned here. A locksmith buddy uses nothing but triflow and swears it works better than any of the purpose built products.

 

[ChiTDI]

Originally Posted By: ARB1977
I cant for the life of me figure out why my wifes Jetta has a issue with the passenger door freezing shut. It did this when temps got in the mid 40's...now thats in the south it gets worse. The funny thing is that if you warm the inside for about 5 mins the door will open. Ive used teflon spray on the lock and door seal...no luck.

What do you think?


Gummi Pflege on the door seals and many good lock products are out there for the tumblers. Triflow is supposedly good, I've used liquid graphite for years and never had problems. -38F and yards of snow in Vilas County Wisconsin. Get the water out with the Wd-40 and then a steady routine 2-3 month service interval to keep the locks lubed and water free. The gummi flege will keep that weather stripping pliable, freeze free, and heat protected.

 

[xxch4osxx]

Nothing like frozen locks and frozen windows. What would someone use to keep the windows from freezing?

 

[ChiTDI]

As an afterthought, if the service routines don't seem to work. Check your receipts to see if your VW dealer "serviced" the falling windows on that side. They may have damaged the plastic moisture barrier.

 

[mechtech2]

Any light oil is better than dry.
WD40 is great for locks. It applies easily with the nozzle extension - apply it several times a year. MOve it around and in and out, and really get those tumblers soaked.
The seals? Silicone based lubes work well. Get something that says it is for rubber /door seals.

 

[severach]

Latches are greased. The grease attracts dirt. The dirt attracts water. The water freezes. The way to fix that when you are tired of quick fix sprays is to wash off all the old grease and put new grease on. Then the lock will last without freezing as long as it did when it left the factory.

 

[rpn453]

Originally Posted By: ARB1977
What do you think?


Install an alarm or remote starter with keyless entry!

 

[moklock]

Super Lube in aerosol form (I buy it from the GM dealer) works very well on locks and latches. Dielectric grease for the weatherstrips.

Waxing the portion of the door the weatherstrip comes in contact with may help as well.

 

[GMGuy]

Quote:
What would someone use to keep the windows from freezing?


Silicone spray in the window channels.

Alex.

 

[xxch4osxx]

Originally Posted By: GMGuy
Quote:
What would someone use to keep the windows from freezing?


Silicone spray in the window channels.

Alex.
Wont that make a mess on the windows after a while?

 

[wander2039]

In my door locks I use something that smells like wintergreen... just put your key in it and turn a few times the best I've found.