BenSpoon replied:

Have used the products mentioned both before a crossing and after- Neither presented any problems. Obviously the bonnet is open, and any sort of breeze clears the vapours pretty quickly. Its really a spark or a well placed glowing red-hot item that will ignite the stuff- pretty unlikely. After the propellant has evaporated and you are left with just the Lubricant it is safe.

I did have a mate who went crazy with WD40 on his siezed ignition and tried to crank it while WD40 was still pouring out of the barrel, and surprise! it shorted. Liquids can act as conductors- Again, leave it for a bit for the propellant to evaporate before starting the engine back up.

With spraying the stuff on a hot motor, I'd be more worried about plowing your hot drive train and donk into some cold water, sucking water in any small holes and the associated rapid temp changes. Good move on the diff breathers- they are excellent protection.

Kiwi Ray replied:

Hi Tonester.
Just a tip for you.
At water crossings it is all way good to let your truck cool a little, particularly if it has been working hard, it helps to lesson the risk of hot parts sucking the cold water.
Not practical in competition but thats the price one has to pay
Ray

hoyks replied:

My Dad was cleaning a diesel model airoplane motor with it once and it started as he turned it over by hand. Gave him a bit of a suprise.

Other than that, I haven't had any suprises whilst spraying hot engines with any of the WD40 type stuff. Smokes a bit on a hot exhaust but thats all.

Penguin (NSW) replied:

Hi Tonester

I've sprayed WD40 straight into the carburettor of an old mower to get it started. Works a treat. I believe that the actual lubricant is flammable so I'd really only be spraying the distributor and keeping away from the exhaust.

Just my experience...YMMV.

Mike

Tonester replied:

Thanks guys. Good to know that I won't ignite it and then just have to drive in anyway to put flames out! :-) (yes, got an extinguisher before you ask). Not planning to go in harms way, but all good stuff to know in case.

Rosco - Bris. replied:

As an aside and purely a bit of trivia. I recently learnt that apparently WD40 stands for "Water Displacement -- 40th attempt" Seems the chemist concerned bombed out on his first 39 tries.

Cheers

Member - John (Vic) replied:

You probably won't have any water issues up Licola way, All the rivers are so bloody low you will be lucky to get the diff wet.

Also read that Billy Goat has been graded???? do a search on here and see what comes up.

flappa replied:

They are water disbursment agents , not waterproofing agents.

Spraying half the can on it , wont do it any good.

Member -Dodger replied:

Tonester,
Don't know what vehicle you have but the spraying of wd et'c will only help as it is a dispersant and not a preventative, however most good Petrol 4wd vwhicles are prety well sealed as far as the ign circuits go and will tolerate some splash. But not submersion, no vehicle likes this.
Best of luck on your trip and have a great time.
Will be surprised if there are many real deep crossings but have fun anyway.

Member - Davoe (Widgiemooltha) replied:

petroleam based degreaser (possibly simular volatility?) is banned on some minesites because drillers offsiders use it on the engine and dont clean it off thoroughly causing fires started by turbo temperatures. Turbos are way hotter than a normal motor and doubt you would have a problem

Tonester replied:

Thanks all for the replies!