Last week I was running my First Responders GP-38 at the VMT and the engine just took off like a post war locomotive at full throttle. I got it stopped and it kept running erratically, speeding up and slowing down as it moved along the tracks. So I decided to see what the heck was going on.
It appears the flywheel has slipped down the shaft and the reader is only able read some of the tach markings. So do I need a new flywheel or just a taller one?
Scott Smith
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Hard to tell from the picture but is there any way to adjust/move/bend the tach reader?
Brendan
Maybe you just need a puller to put it back to the top of the shaft.
Lehigh Valley Railroad posted:Maybe you just need a puller to put it back to the top of the shaft.
A puller would not be necessary--it freely slides. Maybe the flywheel is too large for the shaft/
Scott Smith
You may be able to glue it in place with Epoxy or Krazy glue... However you don't want anything getting in the motor bearing, then you would really be in trouble.... If going the krazy glue route turn the engine upside down just in case it runs,, ,5 minute Epoxy is not as bad. I don't think there's much point trying to move the reader now that we know the wheel is loose. Anyway That's what I would try. good luck
Locktite. I believe 660 or 680 will do.
Brendan
Use some large vice grips on the motor shaft. use enough pressure with the vice grips to pinch and put smile splines on the shaft. the gently tape the flywheel back on.
A little silicone works just like glue and you don't have worry about it running all over the place. Just make sure you get the one that doesn't release acid when it cures. Think it might be called Silicone II.
I have used caulking for a "glue" as well.
Fred
I think this is going back to the manufacturer. Why take a chance on messing it up more?
Scott Smith
scott.smith posted:I think this is going back to the manufacturer. Why take a chance on messing it up more?
Scott Smith
Yep it's your call.
It is still under warranty.
Scott Smith
If it's still under warranty, send it back to MTH. If you encounter this issue after a warranty, you use something like vice-grips to put some raised burrs on the shaft (be careful not to bend it), and then press the flywheel in place. If you do this, you MUST support the bottom worm on something solid, you don't want the shaft moving in relation to the case of the motor.
Under warranty then send it back. But if that was not the case I like Brendan's Lock Tight suggestion.
The Loctite will work, but it's pretty expensive stuff.
Geez, If we were getting free Chinese dinners for all of these defects. We would all look like Buddha.
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