is there a recomended procedure for breakng in a new engine? I have just opened a new engine and started running it in the past. One engine actually got hot and wouldn’t run past a crawl at high setting. After the engine cooled down it ran as it should but didn’t seem quite right. Also is there recomended lube intervals. My local hobby shop recomends oil only. Should I be using grease as well?
Perhaps a good place to start is by letting the forum know some details:
Scales?
Brand?
Type of engine?
I run HO and I run multiple brands of engines. The one that got hot is an athearn. I also run steam and diesel engines 1976 and prior.
I have never done any type of break in proceedure but I do inspect the engines before putting them in service.
The first thing I do is look the engine over really good and make sure there are no places where oil has leaked out, I also check to see if there is anything in the mech that I can see. Next I put it on the rails and run it with out any cars for a bit to see how it runs and how it sounds. If all is well I go from there. If it squeels or makes more noise than it should I remove the shell and inspect for wires rubbing or anything loose or not where it should be. I also check the contacts and if the motor squeels I put a drop of light oil on each bushing, and a drop of light oil does not hurt in the gearboxes every now and then too.
Grease is too thick and creates too much load for the motor. It will shorten the life of the engine’s motor. Just use a light oil like a Sewing Machine oil or even 5-20 motor oil.
Massey
Is your Athearn an older NOS, or brand new production unit?
On any locomotive, they all should get checked out for lube issues…
Usually, older ones have dried up lubricants.
I’ll then… lightly lube the bearings, with light plastic compatible oil. Extremely important!
Only use a drop near the motor bearings, so not to foul the motor.
Yes, on plastic compatible grease. Use something the size of a toothpick to apply on the gears. Very light application.
Woodland Scenics and LaBelle are good brands for this work.
Run it about 15 minutes, each direction, at a lower medium speed, to seat the bearings, and not splatter the lubes before they circulate.
Have used this method for many years, on all the major brands in HO. Long service lives, and no problems.
Be aware, other oils can soften plastics.