Safe to wrench in the cold?

[jafo9]

I need to do the SB#56 update to my Honda BF225. I'd like to do it in the next few weeks to "get it out of the way". While i'm there, i'll do the usual stuff as well as pull the plugs and change the water pump. My concern is that here in Alabama, we've got some unusual cold weather for this area. Its snowing today. Best case scenario, it may get up to 50 next week. I'll have to do the work outside as I have no way to get the boat or the motor indoors.

I'm worried about snapping cold bolts. I can usually find a way to work in my garage so the temp isn't really an issue. Am I being overly concerned or should I try to wait a few months till it warms up? Thanks.

 

[gss036]

Re: Safe to wrench in the cold?

What is the SB#56 update to the Honda BF225, I have heard anything about it?

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: Safe to wrench in the cold?

If its extermely cold and you are working with alot of plastic bolts I might be worried but other than that I'd say you will be fine. I have worked on snowmobiles when its well below zero and have never had any type of cold related problems,other than frozen fingers.

 

[rolmops]

Re: Safe to wrench in the cold?

Extremely cold?????
If you were in Minnesota you would see all the girls out in their Bikinis in 50 degree weather.
I like to do my wrenching in cooler weather,so I don't have the sweat rolling down my hands making everything slippery.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Safe to wrench in the cold?

Carbon steel starts to get "brittle" @ -30 degrees F. You have some wiggle room

 

[5150abf]

Re: Safe to wrench in the cold?

Concur, it may be "extremely cold" to you but the bolts won't care.

Actually it should work better because everything is contracted as opposed to a hot engine where all the bolts have expanded.

I have to work on my truck after work and it has warmed up to 20 here, no worries buddy.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Safe to wrench in the cold?

Other than keeping warm yourself there should be no issues.
So it's still cold in Bama eh ???

 

[Bondo]

Re: Safe to wrench in the cold?

I'm worried about snapping cold bolts.

Ayuh,... Worry about Cold Fingers,... The Bolts can take it, to WAY Colder than You can...

 

[Blujay96]

Re: Safe to wrench in the cold?

We wrench in the cold in Michigan all the time. Never broke a bolt from the cold.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Safe to wrench in the cold?

Same here, work on the sled in sub freezing temps, keep your hand tools somewhere warm making quick tool runs keeps the hands warm.

 

[ENSIGN]

Re: Safe to wrench in the cold?

Were still working on em,I would be happy if it was 40 degrees

 

[jafo9]

Re: Safe to wrench in the cold?

thanks for the replies. we're not really used to snow/cold here in alabama. the SB#56 involved removing basically everything below the powerhead to swap out the exhaust ends and the oil pan gasket. there is a design flaw with honda BF200 and BF225 motors that allows water to fry the heated O2 sensor and possible let the motor ingest water.

I want to remove the spark plugs as well. Is this OK in the cold? thanks again. brian.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Safe to wrench in the cold?

it's ALL ok to do in the warm weather you're having.... the piddly few degrees you are dealing with between 0 and 100 degrees have nearly no effect on steel and aluminum..... now a range of 0 to 800 and now we're talking about a change
in truly cold weather like -10 or more rubber o rings get brittle and crack but for it to be cold enough to cause problems with working on your metal engine parts it will be hazardous to your health..... hard to turn a wrench when your fingers break off

Back in the day I did LOTS of wrenching in below 0 temps..... no probs..... you are overthinking this..... Don't worry, just do whatever needs done.. it'll be fine

 

[Philster]

Re: Safe to wrench in the cold?

Just keep your nuts warm and you'll be fine.