Another problem with Another MTH 4-6-0 PS3

It almost sounds like two problems - one being the cause of the other.

It could be that the pink-pink noise is something binding in the rods. Maybe that overloaded something in the electrical section in the tender.

Thanks RoyBoy! You read my mind.  Wondering if there is some type of restriction on the motor or linkage, and if it could have caused an over draw of current.  Not sure what to make of my own pics

I've found on the MTH RTR steamers that after a while, the crossheads loosen causing them to move around and hit the crosshead guides when they run causing a metallic sound. Not loosen to where they fall off but just broken in and not "tight" against the guides like they are right out of the box. I'd bet that is what the metal is. 

I would slightly loosen the two crosshead guide screws. I had the same problem on my U.P 4-6-0 and a conventional pennsy 4-6-0. The engine would not run slowly and at higher speeds there would be a click noise every wheel revolution. When I inspected further the binding was at the crossheads and loosening the screws very little fixed it. 

Thank you SJC and Liam, and thanks again Roy.  I'm still pretty green, but I'm guessing the "crosshead guides" are part of the "side gear"?  Are the crosshead guides what the manual calls the "valve gear" (the forward part of the side gear)?

It must have been something on the side gear as y'all have suggested because I went ahead and put the cover back on the tender and gave it a quick run before I called it a night...mainly to see if anthing got fried.  The only thing I really did before I ran it once more last night was 'jiggle' the side gear...voila! the noise is gone and she ran just fine.

As Liam mentioned, at first she wouldn't really run right at slow speed and wouldn't start moving with a single throttle button press...would kinda lurch a tiny bit and stop.  Looks like you guys have me pointed in the right direction, but I'm just not sure I know exactly what offending part y'all are referring too?  SJC, this one doesn't have any significant break-in time under her belt as yet, so I'm wondering if I could have inadvertently gripped her too tight along the running gear and caused this problem.

That sparking under the tender was something to see...looked like the old phosphorous like sparklers we'd burn on the 4th of July as kids  It's certainly good news that the problem went away, but it would give peace of mind to know the exact point of the restriction or offending part so I can keep an eye out for it.

If y'all don't mind could you depcit or describe the "crosshead guide", if possible?

Thankful!...and relieved!

Robert

The Crosshead is pictured in the link below. Granted there are different styles but this is the style used on the MTH engines. It is the "I" shape piece that slides back and forth. on the MTH RTR sets, it really only takes a few minutes of run time for them to loosen up. With them being loose, it isn't exactly a "problem" but you will hear it clanking a bit as it runs depending on the engine. The guide is the piece it is sliding on and "guiding" it. 

http://www.sidestreetbannerwor...-19pix/Crosshead.jpg

Thanks again SJC for the info!  The pic you linked is indeed what MTH pictures as the valve guide in the manual.  I'm inclined to believe as you guys diagnosed, that something was making inappropriate contact there or somewhere along the side gear.  I'll certainly be a lot more conscious of handling (or not handling) it by the side gear in the future and watching for loose or binding parts.  Something was binding fairly well to inhibit her movement forward like it did, and in hindsight I should have noticed immediately it was drive related cause the 'chuff' sound synchronization was off or impacted by the restricted movement.

Glad it was something simple...I just panicked a bit  At least I got past the cracking one open for the first time, and got a look at the PS3 board and electronics.  I'm guessing the two large white cylinders on top the board are the new "super capcitors', and was kinda suprised the board was so compact (assuming there is not another small board in engine itself, other than the smoke unit).  You can see a portion of the speaker in the lower left corner of the last pic and that's it for guts of the tender.

Looking back, I think the 'foreign' substance I mentioned and tried to capture in a picture is something like the glob of stuff on the two tiny boards held in place with phillips heads in the last picture.  Perhaps some kind of insulating or retaining goop.

So glad this was not a major malfunction

Robert