Engine Repair

John Patrick posted:

I live in Brevard NC not far from Hendersonville NC. . I have a Jersey Central 3241 engine. It seems to run ok when no cars are attached When I attach cars to it it runs then strains to a stop. 

Can any one recommend where I can go to have the engine looked at and repaired?  

John,

That engine (#2341, not 3241) is one of postwar Lionel's strongest and should be capable of pulling at least 20 postwar Lionel cars. I had the Lackawanna version pulling, with NO problems, 16 postwar 6464 boxcars and a caboose.

I doubt that anything is broken or is in need of replacement if it runs with no cars. My guess is that the motors (there are two!) need a cleaning (Brushes and commutator) and lube (I like Liquid Bearings brand synthetic oil). The grease in the truck gears has probably turned into molasses and needs to be flushed out (I use rubbing alcohol) and replaced (I use white lithium grease).

Not difficult if you have any mechanical ability.

Could be weak brush springs, bad e unit fingers (contacts). Grease and oil as Lionelski suggested. If by chance you do send it out, I specialize in that type of repair, drop a line.

Chuck Sartor posted:

Could be weak brush springs, bad e unit fingers (contacts). Grease and oil as Lionelski suggested. If by chance you do send it out, I specialize in that type of repair, drop a line.

It just sounds sluggish to me.

If it's moving in both directions without cars, Chuck, I doubt it is the e unit's fingers.

John Patrick posted:

I live in Brevard NC not far from Hendersonville NC. . I have a Jersey Central 3241 engine. It seems to run ok when no cars are attached When I attach cars to it it runs then strains to a stop. 

Can any one recommend where I can go to have the engine looked at and repaired?  

Email is in my profile John, shoot me a message, I’m not too terrible far from you, I can give you a hand and check it out........Pat

harmonyards posted:

John Patrick posted:

I live in Brevard NC not far from Hendersonville NC. . I have a Jersey Central 3241 engine. It seems to run ok when no cars are attached When I attach cars to it it runs then strains to a stop. 

Can any one recommend where I can go to have the engine looked at and repaired?  

Email is in my profile John, shoot me a message, I’m not too terrible far from you, I can give you a hand and check it out........Pat

Now the engine is stalling without cars. Is this the gentleman that said he lived not far from me .

John Patrick posted:

harmonyards posted:

John Patrick posted:

I live in Brevard NC not far from Hendersonville NC. . I have a Jersey Central 3241 engine. It seems to run ok when no cars are attached When I attach cars to it it runs then strains to a stop. 

Can any one recommend where I can go to have the engine looked at and repaired?  

Email is in my profile John, shoot me a message, I’m not too terrible far from you, I can give you a hand and check it out........Pat

Now the engine is stalling without cars. Is this the gentleman that said he lived not far from me .

Yes, I live in eastern NC, I’ve been through Hendersonville a few times.....it’s not a bad hike to my house. Again, email is in my profile, click on it and you can get my email address and we can go from there.........Pat