2224 tender whistle

Jump in and get your feet wet.  At least take the shell off... there is a good chance it's filthy in there ...adding oil to dirt doesn't really help.  There are many readily available video's on cleaning and maintaining Lionel post war tenders.

Your tender probably has the WS-85 whistle. Post a picture of it to be sure. There many variations of this whistle. If you are lucky it will be the early version with the self aligning bearing on the fan end. If so, there is a phosphor bronze strap that retains the bearing, which is spherical.  To remove the strap there is a tee headed rivet. Rotate it 90 degrees and that will release the strap.  Then the bearing will come out and it can be cleaned and oiled.  On the earliest versions of this whistle the fan cover is held on with screws. The cover can be removed to clean the sound chambers.  It you do this a new gasket may be required. Both originals and repro gaskets are available from parts dealers.  If the rear cover is held on with drive pins, I would avoid removing it if possible.  It is doable, but a pain.  On the front of the whistle motor there is probably a small sheet metal box around where the armature comes through the brush plate. Early versions have this box filled with grease.  Later versions have a felt wick which is oiled. If it is a grease filled box, it will have to be removed to clean it and refill it with grease.  This is done by removing the brush plate so the tabs on the inside can be unbent to remove the grease box.

When removing the brush plate, unsolder the solid copper wires and disconnect them bending as little as possible to avoid the possibility of breaking them.  With the brush plate off, all the other common motor maintenance should be done.  Clean the brush tubes, inspect the brushes and springs and determine if they need replacement.   Clean oil and carbon dust off the commutator and use a tooth pick to clean the slots.  

I would fill the grease box with Lucas Red N Tacky grease, then reinstall it on the brush plate. This should last a lifetime. I strongly recommend against the use of white lithium grease. I oxides badly and can become hard in just a couple of years.  This is also a good time to install new super flex wires down to the trucks.

The Tee rivet is present; if I snap it in two, that might be a problem.

In lieu of not removing the sound chamber would gentle air pressure applied into the ports be useful in removing debris?

I can see the felt wick.  My level of skill points to oiling the wick, using air in the chamber and possibly turning the Tee rivet for access to the bearing. There is 1 wire going to the leading truck only.

Your comments are detailed and helpful. Thank you. Anything further is appreciated.

Yes, that is a WS-85 whistle. On the brush plate is the grease box. The last person to service it used white lithium grease and it is all over the brush plate. It really should be removed and repacked with RedNTacky. Cleaning the commutator and brush tubes, and checking the brushes is really worth while. On the sound box side, it is held together with drive screws, so you do not want to take the cover off. Put a little wrench on that tee head rivet and try turning it carefully.  I agree, you do not want to break it off.  In my experience it should turn easily.  That red plastic insulated wire going to the trucks will cause you trouble. That is an improper replacement. That wire is so stiff it will prevent the the pick up roller from smoothly following the center rail.   It really needs to be changed to super flex.  You can blow a little air back in the air discharge holes to get the cob webs out. When it is back together and running, see if you feel any air leaking around around the cover, where the gasket is. If you do, use a little RTV to seal that up.  It will really help sound quality.

I followed your instructions and the results are a big improvement. Thank You !!

Everyone needs help from time to time and your taking time to share you expertise is appreciated greatly.