Lionel SD60e Makes Ticking noise at low RPM's

Perhaps you are hearing the prototypical spitter sound present in a number of Lionel diesel sound sets.

http://cs.trains.com/trn/f/741/t/245421.aspx

Could it be the dash board clock you hear ticking???

Let me try and help.  Turn the volume all the way down and then run at low speed to see if the "clicking" continues.  This way we will know for certain if it a mechanical noise or electronic noise.  I have several Lionel diesel locomotives and I have heard clicking on some of them so don't be too concerned just yet. 

So I made a quick video of this ticking noise.  If you turn the volume up to high, you can hear the ticking noise.  It sounds very electronic.  Maybe it is supposed to be there but it doesn't sound like any diesel I've ever heard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...amp;feature=youtu.be

Sounds like the sound that real diesels make. Some sort of appliance or pressure release at idle...?

OK now we can hear what you do.  It is exactly what Railsounds members stated.  Lionel emulates the "spitting" that happens on some diesels with their air receiver tanks.  Moisture is forced out through a drain trap so you can hear a small shot of air when that happens.  When I hear yours it has the rhythm and frequency of my Lionel diesels but the sound is off just a bit.   When I hear yours I kind of hear the pitch of my CAB-2 controller when I push buttons.  However, I don't know if that is based on the recording on your end, playback on mine, or combination of both.  Maybe somebody with a new SD-60 can compare your sounds with theirs. If different, maybe yours needs a trip back to Lionel.  At least you can point them to your UTube video before you have to box up and ship.

I once had a ticking at slow speed on a MTH diesel. It turned out to be one of the pick up rollers. A few drops of oil and it was gone. If you still hear it with the sound off, try oiling the pick ups.

Here is a link to another Utube video on the SD60e Veterans Edition.  Not much idle time is on this video for comparison.  If your hunch is correct that the sound is not right and you are comfortable removing the shell, you may want to simply reseat the sound chip.  Maybe clean the edge contacts when you have it out.  I have pulled a sound chip before but recommend using the right tool which is a chip puller.  It was around 10 bucks at a Radio Shack. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LlriToEzj0

I wouldn't worry. It sure sounds like it's part of the sound system for that engine.

Rod Miller

Turn the sounds off (for a test) and if the sound goes away then it is part of the sound package suspected above...

Its SUPPOSED to: ( "spitters" start at :44 mark)

Yea my SD60 makes the same sounds. Have other engines that have similar clicking type sounds. Think they are suppose to have them.

That's pretty impressive that Lionel got that little sound in there.  Kudos to them and thanks guys for pointing this out to me.

Air dryer with a pop off valve. The real ones go bad all the time and get stuck. Try sitting in the cab all day and listening to that annoying sound