Old timer told me to never oil the guide rails on a hydro, I ignored him and had a stuck car within 3 months.

I put PTFE lube on the rails of a 2008 Otis hydro in a 5 story building near downtown Denver thinking I knew better, and now I'm stripping off that gummy residue this weekend - has anyone else had to fix a mess from lubricating something you shouldn't have?

2 comments

2 Comments

hernandez.finley5d ago

Suck it up with some brake cleaner and a rag, that PTFE goo turns into glue once dust gets in there. Use a dry lube like graphite spray next time, it won't turn into a sticky mess.

umathompson4d ago

Well actually graphite can be almost as bad in a hydro setup. I learned that the hard way on an old Montgomery unit. The graphite dust is conductive and over time it can bridge contacts on the limit switches or door position sensors. You end up with phantom faults that drive you nuts trying to track down. Best thing I have found for otis guide rails is just a clean dry rag and nothing else. The rails are designed to run dry and any lubricant just attracts dirt that turns into that gummy paste you are dealing with now. Brake cleaner works but you have to be real careful with the seals and rubber bushings nearby because it can eat them up.