Help identifying this grease

[BAD ORCA]

I inherited this jar of lubricant when i purchased boat many years ago. No label, nothing printed on the plastic jar. No idea how old it is or what it is. It has the consistency of a slightly jellified Vaseline but its definitely not Vaseline. It has almost a sweet solventy waxy smell. It seems like its petroleum base though, definitely not wax. It is pretty thick and sticky when applied but not super slick like silicone. Be nice to know what it is so I could figure out where it might have been used and if its worth saving. Is it just old Lanolin? All the pics i see of Lanolin though look opaque though and it has more of a chemical smell rather than organic.

 

[Rich Stidger]

I would toss it. It doesn't look like any grease on my boat.

 

[Dalliance]

Mystery gunk in a jelly jar? Toss it.

 

[Davidasailor26]

I wouldn’t put too much thought into it. When you come across something that needs lubrication just look up the best modern lubricant for the purpose. Decent chance whatever that was has been replaced by something better suited anyway.

 

[Calif. Ted]

I have a similar jar that is impellor lube I bought a couple decades ago at the auto/boat parts store, the label came off almost immediately. It is clear, doesn't smell (that I'm aware of) and is water soluble.

 

[BAD ORCA]

I have a similar jar that is impellor lube I bought a couple decades ago at the auto/boat parts store, the label came off almost immediately. It is clear, doesn't smell (that I'm aware of) and is water soluble.

Interesting. Thats probably about how old this jar is. This is not water soluble but does leave a nice thin layer of lubrication that does not seem to easily come off. Maybe i'll try it for that purpose. Impeller check is coming up soon.

I hate to throw away a perfectly good thing if its still useful, although i get the sentiment to toss it.

 

[dlochner]

Interesting. Thats probably about how old this jar is. This is not water soluble but does leave a nice thin layer of lubrication that does not seem to easily come off. Maybe i'll try it for that purpose. Impeller check is coming up soon.

I hate to throw away a perfectly good thing if its still useful, although i get the sentiment to toss it.

Petroleum based greases do not always play well with rubber parts. I'd be hesitant to use it on the impeller. If you do need to lube the impeller to install it use some KY Jelly or other water soluble grease.

 

[BigEasy]

Yanmar impeller replacement kits include a small tube of glycerin (same as KY jelly) to initially lubricate the impeller.
I have never seen a chart/list of suitable lubricants, solid & spray forms, for specific use on marine applications. That would certainly be helpful.

 

[Rick Webb]

lanolin?

Need to taste it to figure it out

 

[BigEasy]

lanolin?
Need to taste it to figure it out

If it's anything like Lanacote, I definitely don't want to taste it. And, if you get that stuff on your hands, it's tenacious.

 

[JoeWhite]

It appears that it has separated. Put it in a pan of hot water for an hour and see if it becomes liquid. If so stirr it with a wooden dowel. If it becomes a single color, take it out of the hot water and let it cool to room temperature. Then rub some on a PVC surface and try to dissolve and wash it off with WD40 and wipe with a napkin. If it washes off then it may be used on screws and water gaskets. It may be Lano-cote. Smell it, if it smells like kashmir it is lanocote.

 

[Calif. Ted]

I just bought a $12 bottle of "I'll Never Use This Again" oil. I'm installing new refrigeration and penultimate step is connecting refrigerant lines. Instructions read "Liberally lubricate QC fittings with refrigerant oil". Would have made my day if they'd included a little tube with the $2000 + worth of parts.

 

[BigEasy]

. It may be Lano-cote. Smell it, if it smells like kashmir it is lanocote.

Joe, I have no idea what Kashmir smells like; however, Lanocote has a funky, nasty aroma. One thing about Lanocote, a little goes a long way. I bought a small container about 10 years ago; it will probably out live me. I do use it on most fasteners, especially stainless / aluminum connections as well as sparingly on electrical connections. Good stuff!

 

[jssailem]

Looks a lot like Whale Snot. In the early 1800’s it was a valued commodity. Often collected from the long boats when they were hoisted back onto the ship.

I think it had a shelf life of about 50 years. Then it turned yellow and gelatinous in consistency.

If I found a jar I would donate it to one of the whaling museums.

 

[dlochner]

Lanocote has a funky, nasty aroma.

Lanacote is lanolin, aka sheep oil. It is derived from raw wool and gives wool its waterproof characteristics. It does have a distinct odor that might be described as funky or barnyard.

 

[BAD ORCA]

Looks a lot like Whale Snot. In the early 1800’s it was a valued commodity. Often collected from the long boats when they were hoisted back onto the ship.

I think it had a shelf life of about 50 years. Then it turned yellow and gelatinous in consistency.

If I found a jar I would donate it to one of the whaling museums.

OOF! I probably should have read this after breakfast.

 

[BAD ORCA]

I just bought a $12 bottle of "I'll Never Use This Again" oil. I'm installing new refrigeration and penultimate step is connecting refrigerant lines. Instructions read "Liberally lubricate QC fittings with refrigerant oil". Would have made my day if they'd included a little tube with the $2000 + worth of parts.

Your supposed to call a tradesman at $200/hr to come and do all that work. He will have a bottle of that special grease.

 

[BAD ORCA]

It appears that it has separated. Put it in a pan of hot water for an hour and see if it becomes liquid. If so stirr it with a wooden dowel. If it becomes a single color, take it out of the hot water and let it cool to room temperature. Then rub some on a PVC surface and try to dissolve and wash it off with WD40 and wipe with a napkin. If it washes off then it may be used on screws and water gaskets. It may be Lano-cote. Smell it, if it smells like kashmir it is lanocote.

Its definitely not modern Lanocote. I have a tub of that. This stuff smells more solvent/sweet. I was testing it on some surfaces at the workshop yesterday. It doesnt easily wipe off but its no where near as hard to clean off as Lanocote.