Sticky throttle cable: what lube to use?

[720inOlyWa]

I rebuilt my 85 720 Nissan and it wants to run great. Problem is, the throttle cable is just a little bit sticky. As you can imagine, this makes sifting and starting from a dead stop clumsy.  

 

I hesitate to just unhook the end of the cable and drip 3 in 1 oil down it because maybe there is an actual cable lube technique out there that I don’t know about. So how do you lube your throttle cables?

[metalmonkey47]

Oil has a tendency to collect dirt. It will work, but only for so long. I use spray can white lithium grease on all my sticky parts. No issues on any of my rigs in the last 5 years

[720inOlyWa]

Oh yeah- that white lithium grease really did the trick! Holy cow!  I went after all of my cables with it and hit the tailgate mechanism too.

 

Thanks, metalmonkey!

[tdaaj]

Another thing that works well is graphite. Same stuff you use on locks

[Z-train]

Another thing that works well is graphite. Same stuff you use on locks

[/quote

Look REAL close at the cables to make sure they are not fraying. If they are in good order, douche them out real good,dry and then use the graphite.

[that-son]

i cleaned out all linkages, springs and cables with brakekleen then i sprayed it with pb blaster.  ran out of wd40, duralubes getting old and i was too lazy to get my pure 20w silicone oil.  everything i sprayed now feels silky smooth.  we'll see how it holds up.

[Z-train]

Keep an eye on it as the liquid lube will attract dirt and turn it into an abrasive.

[720inOlyWa]

Thanks, z-train. I douched the entire unit with lithium grease spray per this thread and it works great now. But I take the initial symptoms as a sign and since I have so little dough into it so far, I tend to get new parts for her when it looks like she needs one. When I replace the cable, I will probably switch to a dry graphite lube as that has been good to me in the past. Once you shoot white lithium grease spray down cable a few times, the dry graphite is not an option.

[720inOlyWa]

Epilogue: For those who just want to cut to the chase.

Whenever you experience a sticky feeling under your accelerator foot, just go to your parts emporium of choice and order a new throttle cable. If the old one had a hitch in its giddyup, lube is not a long term answer. I finally pulled my cable out of the truck and gave it a very close inspection. The worn flat spot in the cable would have never been visible while servicing the part installed. In fact, when I unhooked it before and moved it with the pedal only, I didn’t feel any sticking at all.  Well, outside the vehicle, it is easy as pie to feel tat sticky spot- right there where idle changes to acceleration. I suppose I could have messed with it for a long time without really seeing the problem. Far better to install a new one- $16.00 from RockAuto. I feel sheepish.

[jrhig]

Oh yeah- that white lithium grease really did the trick! Holy cow!  I went after all of my cables with it and hit the tailgate mechanism too.

 

Thanks, metalmonkey!

Have you had any throttle sticking issues since applying the lithium grease?

[jrhig]

I have a 1983 Nissan 720 2.4 Deluxe with 157K miles.  Just successfully replaced the clutch master cylinder, slave cylinder clutch, flywheel, bearings etc. Working great, no leaks!

 

The persistent issue I am having trouble with is the throttle cable. When applying the gas pedal, the ball on the throttle cable at the top of the gas pedal will continue sticking out about 2 inches for 5 seconds, the engine will race up to 4000 rpm's then back to 1000 rpm's.  So using deductive reasoning, I replaced the throttle cable with a brand new one to fix the problem.  The gremlin is still there, I am still having the exact same issue with the throttle sticking.  I thought about using lithium grease or graphite but why should I on a new cable?  There are no tight bends in the cable just a slight horseshoe bend back to the cable assembly on the carburetor.  The carburetor throttle seems to be working fine also. What is the deal?  Any suggestions? Thx

[jrhig]

I have not applied lithium grease or graphite to the new throttle cable...

[distributorguy]

Dry chain lube for bikes and motorcycles works very well.  Since it dries (unlike white lithium) it won't collect garbage over time.   

Your new cable may have dried up old lube in it, or corrosion.  Try a penetrating lube like Kroil or Liquid Wrench.

[datzenmike]

If you replaced the cable.... it ain't the cable.

 

Carb is hanging up.

 

Throttle shaft may be worn.

Return spring at wrong angle or home made

Carb linkages sticking

Accelerator pump sticking.

 

Use carb cleaner all over the linkages.

 

Disconnect the throttle cable from the carb and work the throttle looking for the tight spot.

[paradime]

That^^

[weldingrod]

Remove cable, hang vertically and spray the hell out of it with a dry silicone spray. Goes on wet but dries so won't attract dirt.