Lionel 0-8-0 engine has a bind

I don't have an answer, but I have the same problem with one of my starter set 0-8-0's. Seems to bind up and jerk at each "chuff".

When I get around to it, I plan to open it up and see if something is either bent or screwed down too tight. If I can't readily diagnose it, I'll just pull out the mechanism entirely... No loss, as it has never smoked since the day it came out of the box.

Most of the time, a bind is either the drive rods or the smoke plunger lever.  Yours sounds like the smoke plunger,  I'd just remove the smoke unit for a test and see if it doesn't have an issue after that.  A small bend in the smoke lever may be all that's needed .

 

Thanks fellows!

 

As Gunrunnerjohn thought, a small bend in the smoke lever right at the end took care of the bind.

 

On this particular locomotive, there is a small rubbery pad on the inside of the smoke piston.

I suspect that if I left it alone, and ran it a whole bunch then the pad would have compressed and the bind would have gone away.

That's great news... Looking forward to trying this solution as well!

 

quote:

That's great news... Looking forward to trying this solution as well!

 

When I first looked at the underside of the engine, I was hesitant to try to open it up because there are so many screws under there. It turned out that the boiler is held on by four screws. Two under the cab, right near the slide switches, and two under the steam chest.

The boiler then lifts off.

The smoke unit is held in place with 2 screws, I did not disconnect it, just placed it out of the way.

I was able to bend the end of the lever without any further disassembly.

If you go to the Lionel web site, parts section, and do a search for 30103, you will eventually get to an explosion diagram of the loco. Not certain whether this link will take you right there.

Here are pictures showing the screws I removed to get the cab off. They are circled in yellow.

Nice pictures Charlie.

When I posted the pictures I should have mentioned that I used a JIS screwdriver to remove the screws.
In general I have found that standard Phillips screwdrivers do not fit the screws that Lionel has been using for a while now.

A Pozidrive screwdriver might have worked OK too, but I did not try one.

 

I put together a set of Pozidrive screwdrivers, and a set of small JIS screwdrivers made by Moody.

I'd like to put together a set of standard sized JIS screwdrivers, but I haven't figured out which brand is worth purchasing. Any recommendations?

 

 

I am using JIS screwdrivers from McMaster Carr. Excellent quality and sizes range from 000 to #3.

 

http://www.mcmaster.com/#jis-(japanese-industrial-standard)-screwdrivers/=yu02b2

 

 Pete

Norton: Thanks!

 

I looked at the McMaster Carr site.
They don't specify a brand.

Are your screwdrivers marked with a brand?

Charles, they are made in Japan and the brand is Megadoro. I have not heard of them but I have an account with McMaster Carr and have never received inferior goods from them. The one listed have magnetic tips FYI.

 

Pete

So far I have only made one purchase from McMaster Carr, it was a good experience. I think I will go ahead and order a set. Thanks for the lead.

This must be a common problem: my BSA 0-8-0 does the same. 

 

Will check for your repair idea next time I have it out. 

 

Thanks.

I received my JIS screwdrivers from McMaster Carr within 2 days of placing the order.

And the shipping was quite reasonable.

They are from the Megadoro line by Vessel.

Nice product.