John Welch

Other than waiting for spring, any ideas on getting a door opened that is frozen shut?

Its not ensconced in ice, but it did snow yesterday and now the door won't budge. I can't get the hatch key to turn (its always been an issue), and the driver's side door handle is already broken so I'm down to one door and I don't want to pull too hard.

Thanks,

blandis

Is it the lock or door seal.

I used blow dryer last time my locks froze. Have used warm water, just not on glass the temp difference I would think could be an issue. Once you get them open dry the jambs up good.

Giovanni

lol, ya'll not from the states or never lived in cold climates? I always stray a little WD40 on the door/hatch seals before winter hits and I have never had any issues with the getting frozen shut.

John Welch

I'm from up here, but when you get the right temperatures, you get water in unusual places. The WD-40 trick hasn't been necessary before, but its going onas soon as I get the door opened!

Daymon66

being raised in alaska, i'd go with the hair dryer to free it up for now. and on days that you know it is going to drop way down low cover your drivers door with a thick blanket. sounds dumb and simple but i promise it will work..


wd-40 won't do jack shiat when it gets new york cold or alaska cold...

John Welch

Hair dryer, good idea. Unfortunately, I haven't had enough hair to own a hair dryer for a long time.

Its not even that cold. Its already up to 7F. Its supposed to be colder tomorrow, so if it doesn't open today...

Giovanni

What about hosing it down with some hot water if you have outside waterflow though.

So you are saying it works in all the other States then?

Daymon66

Gio, nope just saying it don't get cold enough in ALABAMA for extended periods of time like it does up north. you know exactly what i meant.. below 30 for a few hours at night doesn't contstitute cold..
try sub zero for days on end or below 30 for a couple of weeks/months... WD-40 won't answer that call and is notorious for attracting dirt, grime and belly button lint and caking things up real good.

and please don't put hot water on frozen parts or windows.

Giovanni

I forgot about that, CRACKKK.

John Welch

Well it warmed up to 10F, the sun finally crested the neighbor's house, and I'm in!

The door was hermetically sealed by a small ice dam at the top of the door that trapped water across the entire top edge. I probably could have pulled it open, but the seals are 20 years old and there's nothing wrong with working from home.

Garth S

Next time, pour some windshield washer fluid ( the -45C kind) over the top of the door/roof seam - works every time.

Shane

Amen!

Nuf said...

I'll go back to enjoying my cold weather now

Okv

Please, be kind to the sharks, and do not use water, hot or cold.

The only use for the combination hot water, winter temperatures and a car is when you pour it on your neighbours driveway.

I also believe the problem is at its worst not in extremely low temperatures, but rather just below zero, when the air is very moist.
Just like we have here, on the coast; to much moisture, too little snow.
On really bad days everything freezes, door seals, locks, windscreen packed with solid ice.

Daymon66

now there is some good "up north" advice.

Shane, Dutch Harbor. now i know you have seen the cold. i was raised in Fairbanks and worked for a while after the Navy up on the North Slope and Kotzebu also.
damn cold... do they have roads in Dutch Harbor???????????

marton

silicon spray is also good on the door seals and not smelly

When I was young & there was not such a range of auto chemicals available we would p**s on the lock

Marton