Spraying outboard engine with WD40 ?

[Craig Williams]

As part of my after trip cleanup / maintenance, I have always sprayed around a liberal ammount of WD40 type spray around the engine block, electrics under the cowl of my small outboard engines to keep them nice and greasy hoping this would be a good deterrent against corrosion. On the last engine I had, I noticed that the paint on the engine block was starting to peel away a bit and I was wondering if perhaps it was the WD40 penetrating thru the paint and weakening it. Am I doing the right thing or ?

 

[S.T. Marine]

Re: Spraying outboard engine with WD40 ?

That is a good protection against corrosion. You are not hurting anytrhing by doing that.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Spraying outboard engine with WD40 ?

I have used WD 40 for 30 years and it has worked well for me (I boat in salt water). I buy it by the gallon & use a squeeze bottle.<br /><br />I did have one marine mechanic tell me recently that he stays away from WD 40 because it tends to soften rubber as in hoses and electrical connections. Not sure I buy into that though.

 

[sparkroost]

Re: Spraying outboard engine with WD40 ?

WD40 will evaporate, 3-36 won't. I am not so sure WD40 is a lubricant, for long anyway. If the WD40 is sofening rubber, then that is awesome! I use WD40 to spray on my motorcycle engines and hoses. It does keep the hoses soft and the paint(engine) shiny! Especially in those hard to reach places. And it smells good too! Not too slimy either, like 336 lubricant. If you have a sun baked paint on an engine... WD40 is the answer! If you want to stop corrosion use some of the "peanut butter" sealant that comes in a can, with a brush to coat the bolt heads.

 

[nburford]

Re: Spraying outboard engine with WD40 ?

In the world of spray lubes, I prefer one that is:<br />1. Moisture displacing<br />2. Anti-corosion<br />3. Lubricant<br />4. Penetrant<br /><br />CRC 6-66 is all of these, WD-40 is a little of #3 and a little of #4. It will not displace moisture and start a wet engine (marine or otherwise) <br />WD-40 gets points for being cheap and widely available, perhaps the 'Budweiser' of lubes.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Spraying outboard engine with WD40 ?

I like the Pennguard Z-4 with Rust-oleum. Dries, does not attract dust and isnt sticky. It wont attack the wires or paint and the block looks like you painted it with a high gloss paint.