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Hi Bob,

I think you are doing the right thing with penetrating oil and patience. You might also try fully submerging the chain in diesel fuel (wonderful lubricant) and moving each link a little bit at a time over the course of several hours. Eventually I'm confident this chain will loosen up.

Best,

Captain Bob Wellen

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Hello Bob,

What shape is the chain in now? I believe you said you are trying to get the chain ON to the cog? If this is the case, you must be looking at a folded up rusty chain. Soak the chain for a couple of days in PB Blaster or the like and then try pulling it apart. If the chain is in position on the gears, keep saturating it and try gently hitting it with a rubber mallet to regain flexibility and break the bond of rust.

Of course, at some point you have to ask yourself if time spent on this is worth the cost of a new chain, because if you can't find the right size replacement you can always make one with a chain kit. Here's a useful link for you:

http://www.edsonmarine.com/marinestore/index.php?main_page=index@cPath+223

As a last resort if the chain is really rusted, you might try soaking the chain in Ospho Metal Treatment, click HERE to go to their website.

Hope this helps,

Captain Craig Bliss

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Hello Bob,

I can sympathize with you trying to deal with equipment from lack of use. Since you are dealing with a drive chain, I would suggest looking at an industry that either routinely uses drive chains or one that restores or lubricates equipment.

Let's start with loosening up the stiff chain that I will assume has some rust and crud buildup. I will pick on the firearms industry. After firing a gun there is residue and metal build up in the barrel. A variety of chemical and penetrates have been developed to help the release of these products. One of the best penetrating oils I have found - bar none - is a product called Kroil Oil, it far surpasses the popular liquid wrench, WD40, and PB Blaster. Here's a link to the website: http://www.kanolabs.com/

Simply apply the oil and wait, for frozen parts, usually several hours to over night, another application might be needed but it WILL work its way in, then start working the part back and forth to loosen it up. Kroil is a light weight oil, easy to apply, but for some reason hasn't found its way into the general mechanics market.

To keep the chain running smoothly let's look at the bicycle industry. There are a variety of lubricants used to maintain a good working bicycle chain. A quality product that I have been pleased with, that is easy to apply and has good retention quality, is Tri-flow Teflon chain lubricant. Here's the link to their website: http://www.triflowlubricants.com/Bicycle_Grease.html

You won't find these products in your usual marine chandler's store. You will need to go to a specialty shop, a reputable gun detailer, bicycle dealer, or possibly on line. If you can't find Kroil locally try www.midwayusa.com

Hope you are free running soon,
Captain Gordon L Hartschuh