OIl / Grease Throttle Cable

[Frank @ TX]

Hi Guys,
I have an MC9 and just lately I hear a scraping sound when I press on the throttle.
There must be a way to oil / grease the cable before it sticks hard.
Does anyone know where the access point is to lub the cable??
Thanks
Frank

[plyonsMC9]

Hi Frank,

There is definitely a way to do this - I have some notes on this but now can't find them - still looking tho!  I'm hoping one of the real experts would chime in soon and give an assist.  I've sprayed some high quality elevator gear lubricant down the throttle cable from the treadle.  This helps mine quite a bit as it has been known to stick before. 

Best Regards, Phil

[pvcces]

Hi, Frank.

I don't know what MCI uses, but our GM has a cable that is readily removed for cleaning and relubricating.

From the crap that came out of the housing when I did ours, I would say the cleaning is at least as important as the lubricating. The usual way to clean it is to coil it up into a five gallon or similar bucket with enough cleaning solvent in the bucket to make is easy to wash.

Let it dry. Then, remembering that this cable is unheated on it's way to the engine, lubricate with something that will stay very soft if it gets very cold. Our 4106 manual specifies steering gear lubricant with extended cold pour properties and says to "coat very lightly".

I drove a Volkswagon into the interior of Alaska in the early 70s and did not think about what would happen if it got really cold. Before I got back home, I thought that I was going to break the steering shaft, and the throttle and brakes were almost totally inoperative, as in frozen. Have you ever seen frozen brake fluid?

After burning the grease out of the front end and using antifreeze in the throttle housing, I could herd it down the road, but I spun out twice, narrowly escaping a bad collision. After that experience, I make sure that I think about operating with cold tolerant lubricants.

There was nothing wrong with the lubricants except they were the wrong ones.

For what it's worth.

Tom Caffrey

[gus]

It could easily be something other than the throttle cable. On my 4104 the speedometer cable rubs against the throttle pedal unless I tie it away. It will actually stop the throttle from  being pushed all the way.

As Tom says, do not use anything even approaching heavy oil or grease because even when it doesn't freeze hard it will harden with age. I routinely spray the outside of all by cable covers with penetrating oil. These twisted covers are not solid and the penetrating oil will soak through in to the cable.

If you remove the cables you probably should use spray graphite or some type of new space age very light lubricant.

[pvcces]

Gus, I believe our throttle cable housing is solid brass, and I don't think that the boots would like the penetrating oil. Both of our boots were shot when I serviced our cable.

For what it's worth.

Tom Caffrey

[Frank @ TX]

Thanks guys,
I'll find a place to put in some "3in1" oil, that should be light enough.
Maybe put in some at the peddle , the work the peddle to help it move along.
Then the same thing at the rear.
I just didn't know if someone found a better way to do it.
Frank

[gus]

Tom,

You're correct, I was thinking about the hand throttle cable flexible sections.

[buspit]

At the engine disconect cable remove end, place piece of 1/2" hose about 2' long over main cable ,hose clamp it on fill with triflow and presurize with air compessor until it comes out other end.

[Hobe]

MCIs don't have a cable. They use rods and fitting. Most of the time it is a tight fitting at the pedal. that makes it hard to press down. Fred North Florida Bus Conversion

[Frank @ TX]

Hi Guys,
The peddle isn't tight, it just makes a scraping noise when it moves.
Tomorrow I'll get my old greasy clothes back on and attack the cable / linkage with light oil.
Thanks
Frank

[buspit]

Thats odd my MCI 9 was sticking and I called MCI and ordered a cable and a cable was delivered.