Hi all,
While running a freight train with a BLI J, I noticed it squeak much while running so I added some oil we had on hand, Labelle 102, to all points in the valve gear, (I’ll check that again) and I added oil to the axles on both sides, also the brass strips that rub the front trailing wheels and the tender truck axle wipers (not sure if that had been the best idea, as I’m now concerned about conductivity) and yet there is still some squeaking! I’m going to open up locomotive and add some oil to gear towel and check throughout the model again. I have a bottle of Labelle 108 on hand but plan to find other types of oils. Anywhere else I should check? Anywhere else to add lube?
Thank you in advance
Alvie
I don’t think a light weight oil will affect the conductivity at all. If anything, it may enhance it.
Lube ANY moving part or gear, including the motor bearings.
Is the BLI J smoke equipped? I had the a sqeak while running my BLI Y6B after doing a complete lube job turned out out it was the fan motor for the smoke unit,turn off the motot F7 I believe solved the problem…don’t really care for the smoke anyways.
What kind of squeak? A steady squeal or a rhythmic squeak? Can you correlate the squeak if it is periodic to rotation or reciprocation of any one item? Look for a match to wheel rotation or piston rod reciprocation or crosshead reciprocation.
I expect that you actually did manage to get a drop of lube on all the pivoting points? The crossheads as well? Did you add a drop to the piston rods? If every wiper has been lubed, it leaves the brass bushings into which the axles sit or an inner rotating surface. A steady loud squeal would have the motor involved directly or a shaft bushing.
There is so much sideplay on all axles on a typical HO locomotive that it is unlikely to be a wobbly wheel rim or flange scrubbing the frame. You would notice such a severe wobbly, and if on a driver, your rods would run funny.
Crandell
Crandell,
I’d say a rhythmic squeak as it will move, squeak a bit, be quiet and so on.
Now any possibility this might work on the gears? I’ll check about plastic compatibility http://www.parktool.com/product/polylube-1000-lubricant-tube-ppl-1 I have a tube on hand and it’d only be for the gear box of course.
Alvie
My Bachmann Berkshire has a somewhat continuous squeak. It’s actually coming from the wheels in the lead truck. I just need to clean that up when I get a chance. Maybe your squeak is coming from a similar area instead of the running gear.
I can’t shed much light on this issue other than to say that I get some squeaking on one or two of my BLI steamers as well. It is pretty much constant. I always tell myself that I will look into it further but never do. Later this morning, I will head down to my layout and identify the offending loco(s) and report back with better detail on the squeaking. Incidentally, all of my BLI steamers are Paragon with sound.
Speaking of sound, on at least one of my BLI steamers, there is vibration while the sound of the steam engine whistle is being activated. As long as the whistle is sounding, there is vibration. What is the cause of that and what is the solution?
Rich
That combination of frequencies is causing the tender shell to resonate in concert. It is known to be the case with several different BLI tenders because some of them are lift-off press-fits. The solution is to line the inside bottoms of the sidewalls, leaving room for the tender floor flanges, with lengths of electrical tape. Apparently, this has been a good cure.
Even if the tender shell has screws for removal, and if the shell resonates, the cure would be the same thing…lining it with strips of electrical tape. If I had to guess, I would say smeared dollops of silcon or latex caulking would accomplish the same thing…if there is room.
Crandell
Thanks, Crandell, I will open the tender and look into that.
Rich