Mailing List flyrotary@lancaironline.net Message #67957
From: M Silvius isserfiq@gmail.com <flyrotary@lancaironline.net>
Subject: Re: [FlyRotary] Best chemical for stuck apex seals
Date: Sat, 13 Dec 2025 08:12:38 -0500
To: Rotary motors in aircraft <flyrotary@lancaironline.net>
Finn: 
Try some Marvel-Mystery oil. Its should be safer on the rubber corner seals than carb cleaner.
Never used it in a rotary but it did the trick for us when when had sticky valves and ring in the Lycomings and Continentals.
The secret ingredient is Wintergreen Oil (Methyl Salicylate) that's both a solvent and a lubricant.
Additionally, Valvoline Restore and Protect has worked well to free up sticky oil wiper ring issues on late model Volvo engines that have a known problem with overly tight oil ring groves.
"a synthetic motor oil designed to actively clean engines, remove up to 100% of deposits with continuous use, and prevent future buildup"
Mike in Maine




On Fri, Dec 12, 2025 at 5:44 PM Finn Lassen finn.lassen@verizon.net <flyrotary@lancaironline.net> wrote:
I'm finally getting around to getting my RV-3B with its 13B flying
again. Hasn't flown for 4 years or more.

I can turn the engine by hand but several of the apex seals are stuck --
won't move (back out) when pushing with a wood rod through leading
sparkplug holes.

What's the best to spray in there to loosen them up/? WD-40?

I'm reluctant to use carb or brake cleaner -- might they degrade the
rubber corner seals or maybe o-rings?

Finn



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