Lubricating throttle linkages during actuator swap?

[Rat3d ///M]

Ill be doing one of my throttle actuators in a week or two, and I've read somewhere that it's a good idea to lube the throttle linkages as the oil breaking down and causing the valves to stick is a possible reason that the throttle actuators go bad. Does anyone have instructions on where exactly to oil, and what type of chemical I should use?

[italyix]

Originally Posted by ||||||||||

Ill be doing one of my throttle actuators in a week or two, and I've read somewhere that it's a good idea to lube the throttle linkages as the oil breaking down and causing the valves to stick is a possible reason that the throttle actuators go bad. Does anyone have instructions on where exactly to oil, and what type of chemical I should use?

WD40 should do and the locations should be any moving linkages. Once you do the swap the locations will become evident

[Beemdog]

I used Motorex 2000 synthetic spray grease. A light conventional oil will be gone from these joints within a few weeks.

Here's the Motorex info (available at shops that cater to motorcycles or motosport.com for $11.99):

-Fully synthetic, high-pressure-resistant lubricant with long term effect for universal application.
-Penetrates rapidly and protects from corrosion.
-Thermally stable from -30°C (-22°F) to +200°C (+392°F).
-Adhesive, water-resistant, silicone-free, pressure and impact-resistant, colorless.

[Rat3d ///M]

Bumping this up to get your opinions. Im limited on what I can get over here, but came across this stuff. Would this be a good choice of lubricants for the throttle linkages? This is what I am looking into of the Motorex 2000 isn't available for me over here.

http://www.amazon.com/Inox-Lubricant...inox+lubricant

[IIAp3x]

There is another thread on here with a link to the proper lubricant to use... 3M makes it... The bearings on the throttle actuators are sealed bearings, so the most important thing is to keep them clean of dust and dirt debris which collects over time in the engine bay...

The 3M lubricant is not necessarily used to lubricate the throttle actuator bearings but to clean away the dust and dirt from them, which deteriorates the seals on the bearings eventually causing them to have a higher resistance- making the actuators to work harder and weakens their longevity...

I clean my engine engine about 3 times a year with a pressure washer, very carefully of course... But the one area I always pay close attention too is under the air box where the actuators sit... I use a spray bottle with a very diluted mix of dish soap and water and spray it under the air box on both sides and let it sit for about ten minutes and then rinse it very well with the pressure nozzle... I then blow out any residual moisture with compressed air and a very long air nozzle...

My TAs are original and have 70k miles on them so far and I have never had a single issue with them...

Be careful about what lubricant you choose as certain lubricants can be very sticky and linger for too long, which will actually attract even more dust and debris to stick on them...

[Beemdog]

I believe he was speaking of the linkages, not the actuators themselves?

[nholmes]

Originally Posted by IIAp3x

There is another thread on here with a link to the proper lubricant to use... 3M makes it... The bearings on the throttle actuators are sealed bearings, so the most important thing is to keep them clean of dust and dirt debris which collects over time in the engine bay...

The 3M lubricant is not necessarily used to lubricate the throttle actuator bearings but to clean away the dust and dirt from them, which deteriorates the seals on the bearings eventually causing them to have a higher resistance- making the actuators to work harder and weakens their longevity...

I clean my engine engine about 3 times a year with a pressure washer, very carefully of course... But the one area I always pay close attention too is under the air box where the actuators sit... I use a spray bottle with a very diluted mix of dish soap and water and spray it under the air box on both sides and let it sit for about ten minutes and then rinse it very well with the pressure nozzle... I then blow out any residual moisture with compressed air and a very long air nozzle...

My TAs are original and have 70k miles on them so far and I have never had a single issue with them...

Be careful about what lubricant you choose as certain lubricants can be very sticky and linger for too long, which will actually attract even more dust and debris to stick on them...

This guy is correct. The dry lubricant is what the BMW techs use for the metal components and white lithium grease for the plastic ball joints. Two of my friends happen to be techs at BMW, if it matters to you.

This is what I did with mine a couple months ago.

[IIAp3x]

Originally Posted by Beemdog

I believe he was speaking of the linkages, not the actuators themselves?

Gotcha... My bad... I would still think that keeping them clean would be the most important thing, as the linkages are also exposed to the same atmosphere as the actuator axles... Most lubricants will help initially but will gum up after some time and attract dirt... 3M's dry lube should still be the preferred choice for the linkages...

[Rat3d ///M]

Im pretty limited on vendors to buy the 3M stuff from being in Germany. No idea where to get it local and Amazon or Ebay won't ship it to me because it's an Aerosol. Any idea what a good alternative might be that is available on Ebay or Amazon and IS NOT an aerosol?

[IIAp3x]

Originally Posted by ||||||||||

Im pretty limited on vendors to buy the 3M stuff from being in Germany. No idea where to get it local and Amazon or Ebay won't ship it to me because it's an Aerosol. Any idea what a good alternative might be that is available on Ebay or Amazon and IS NOT an aerosol?

In that case, I would stop by the BMW dealer and find out what they are using over there... I say that because the guy who originally found the information on the actual lubrication points on the TA axles retrieved it from a German repair website, so I am sure that the Germans are using something similar to the 3M dry lubricant...

I am certain that any of the local dealerships could tell you what product to use over there...

[thekurgan]

I used copper anti seize as that area sees extreme heat.

[IIAp3x]

Originally Posted by thekurgan

I used copper anti seize as that area sees extreme heat.

That stuff is good for poly bushings (suspension stuff), but I would not recommend for actuator linkages...

[thekurgan]

Originally Posted by IIAp3x

That stuff is good for poly bushings (suspension stuff), but I would not recommend for actuator linkages...

I don't see why not. Krytox 205 would be better, but the anti-seize was easy to apply and it gives a visual on the actuator ball linkages. As for the individual throttles, Dupont teflon dry lube worked best.

[IIAp3x]

Originally Posted by thekurgan

I don't see why not. Krytox 205 would be better, but the anti-seize was easy to apply and it gives a visual on the actuator ball linkages. As for the individual throttles, Dupont teflon dry lube worked best.

That lubricant is great stuff and required for any and all polyurethane parts, but it does get gummy and attract dust...

[DrFerry]

Bump

[The-Traveler]

Originally Posted by italyix

WD40 should do and the locations should be any moving linkages. Once you do the swap the locations will become evident

I just used WD40. It made no apparent difference.