Used to fight with stuck turbo bolts for hours, now I reach for the induction heater first

For years, I'd soak them in penetrant overnight, then go at them with a breaker bar and a torch, which often ended with broken bolts. About eight months ago, a guy at a shop in Boise showed me his little 120v induction heater. I tried it on a Cummins ISX turbo last week, heated just the bolt head for maybe 90 seconds, and it came right out with no fuss. It's way more focused heat than a torch, so you don't risk cooking the housing. Anyone else made the switch to induction for stuck fasteners?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_vera5d ago

Watched a guy use one on a frozen brake line fitting... it was like magic.

joelsanchez5d ago

Didn't think they worked, but @the_vera, that's proof.