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#1
03-28-2004, 11:44 PM
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Vasoline/petroleum jelly as lock lubricant?
For those of you that have been following up with my current thread, you know I am having some lock tumbler problems.
Well, I got my new tumbler from MB and it came coated with some vasoline as a lock lubricant. Any thoughts on this? I have heard that WD-40 is bad because its thin and washes away the graphite, I have heard white lithium grease is the way to go, etc. I know I tried to use some ATF and ever since I used it, i been having lock problems  What do you guys use for locks? 
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#3
03-28-2004, 11:54 PM
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I use a spray graphite that works great. Comes in a small spray bottle, about $5. The fluid evaporates leaving the graphite.
It has made worn tumblers work where other lubes haven't. Haasman
__________________
'03 E320 Wagon-Sold '95 E320 Wagon-Went to Ex '93 190E 2.6-Wrecked '91 300E-Went to Ex '65 911 Coupe (#302580)
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#4
03-28-2004, 11:57 PM
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Are you sure it is petrolateum (sp?) jelly (e.g., Vaseoline)?
MB makes a specific lock lubricant that sprays into the locks-tumbers and leaves a "jelly" like substance, but it is NOT "Vaseoline". This is the ONLY approved lock lubricant that I know of for MB tumbers. A good dealer parts person knows about and a good dealer parts counter has it stock (try Tom Hanson at Caliber Motors: 1.800.CALIBER). :-) neil Last edited by ke6dcj; 03-29-2004 at 12:15 AM.
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#5
03-29-2004, 07:09 AM
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tkmayia is on the money here. Use DRY lubricants only. Anything else attracts dirt and will mess it up in no time.
Graphite is your best bet in any lock. Good luck,
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#6
03-29-2004, 07:25 AM
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Johnson, powdered graphite will work well for the ignition lock cylinder, but there are threads that recommend using the MB lock lubricant for door locks. Graphite in the door locks may cause the alarm system to malfunction.
__________________
Fred Hoelzle
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#7
03-29-2004, 08:28 AM
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I use Vasoline for a many things. It would not surprise me if it was -- it is a petro product.
Years ago it was recomended for the cloth window channels on a 108 -- I had replaced them all and the vasoline was just the trick to provide the lube for the window. I have used it on locks, ant, you name it. The problem with WD40 - in addition to the smell - is that people use it when actually a thicker lube is needed. Also lithium is often too thick for many uses. For the tumblers, graphite is good because it will coat them -- and once set will not come off on the key! Vasoline is great for coating parts -- I have used it for years to lube wheelchairs, umbrellas, flagpoles. I do not find it to be a dirt magnet -- easy and cheap.
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#9
03-29-2004, 09:56 AM
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The only direct disadvantage to using petroleum jelly is that it will breakdown rubber parts that it comes into contact with.
Haasman
__________________
'03 E320 Wagon-Sold '95 E320 Wagon-Went to Ex '93 190E 2.6-Wrecked '91 300E-Went to Ex '65 911 Coupe (#302580)
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#10
03-29-2004, 10:15 AM
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I heard the same thing Fred mentioned, that the conductive properties of graphite can potentially wreak havoc with the electricals present in the lock mechanism.
__________________
95 E320 Cabriolet, 159K
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#12
03-29-2004, 12:51 PM
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I use a teflon based lube for my locks and antenna.
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#15
03-30-2004, 12:37 AM
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Find a new dealer. If their parts manager (not the counter guy) doesn't know about this, be VERY suspect about how they service your car.
Call Tom Hanson at Caliber Motors (1.800.CALIBER) or Randy and EPS Parts (http://www.epsparts.com). I'm on travels so I don't have the lock grease/lubricant PN# handy. If your MB is newer than 1985, I would NOT use any other lubricant especially graphite which will cause problems with the alarm system. :-) neil 1988 360TE AMG 1993 500E
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