I recently won a new Lionel 28069 Niagara from an auction house. Being never used it had a lot of aches and groans running out of the box. The fan impeller especially was extremely loud and took several drops of oil to silence. After other lubings the motor is the only thing left with a pronounced buzz / rattle, especially when starting up under load. Does it need oil like the rest of the locomotive? If so, which location would I need to oil on this big Pittman motor? Thanks guys.
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I remember my NEW Lionel Legacy SP Daylight 4-8-4, made all kinds of different squeaks, right out of the box. When it became pretty obvious that they had NEVER been lubed at the factory, and my local hobby shop also confirmed that EVERY SINGLE ONE of their models were VERY noisy, I decided to "void the warranty" and take the boiler off. After lubing EVERYTHING on the running gear, the darned thing STILL squealed!
Finally, just one drop of light LaBelle oil at each end of the big can motor shaft in its housing, fixed the final problem.
I recently won a new Lionel Niagara from an auction house. Being never used it had a lot of aches and groans running out of the box. The fan impeller especially was extremely loud and took several drops of oil to silence. After other lubings the motor is the only thing left with a pronounced buzz / rattle when starting up under load. Does it need oil like the rest of the locomotive? If so, which location would I need to oil on this big Pittman motor? Thanks guys.
my Q2 id won..had the simmiler problems..oil the motor too..and works fine now..
It could also be the universal joint rubbing against the motor. It can fit tight against both the motor and gearbox. It has a lot of longitudinal play so you can loosen the screws and push it slightly away from the motor or gearbox.
Pete
Stupid question, but does the unit have an electronic reverse unit or an e-unit? E-units can cause a buzz like that, though usually that happens when it is in neutral, and can be fixed by putting a bridge rectifier across the e-unit.
Finally, just one drop of light LaBelle oil at each end of the big can motor shaft in its housing, fixed the final problem.
I'll second Hot Waters suggestion, for the most part can motors are "maintenance free" as they state, unless the squeak. The shaft bushings can become dry and squeak.
I use Labelle 102, its a "heavier" light oil that seems more up to the task for O scale stuff.
Having said all that a "buzz/rattle" doesn't sound like a typical can motor squeak or squeal but maybe the oil will cure it.
Norton may be onto something with the driveshaft, these locos have been noted as having driveshaft issues.
Thanks for the input guys. The noise was rather difficult to describe, wasn't quite a squeak but definitely a distressed metal-on-metal sort of noise. As was suggested, a drop of LaBelle at each shaft end and also at the gearbox joint has silenced the motor now. I had figured those spots would need the oil, just wanted to be sure there wasn't any other deeper part too.
The amount of oil this thing needed was definitely a first. I've purchased plenty of never-used locomotives before and all they ever needed was a basic lubing of the running gear. Still worth it in the end, as this is the only one I have ever seen with no driver paint issues yet.
It looks great Nick. Really nice looking engine.
I hope you enjoy it!
Did you find any of those cigars? 
Hi Nick,
I can't believe that one of our premier engine kit bashers would resort to asking such a question... but then better safe than sorry! 
What I REALLY would to know is: what's that black snakey, curley thing coming out of the top of the boiler in your picture? Is it some new type of 'air snorkle' for running under water? I know you live in Florida and enjoy all sorts of outdoor activities that us northerners only dream of this time of year but I mean... an air supply for your smoke unit while running trains at the beach?????????
GREAT looking loco BTW, congrats!
Best,
Dave
Asking here first is a tried and true tradition when it comes to small repairs. Can't even begin to count the amount of times it's produced a small tip that's saved me a headache. And that's an ancient broken weight machine that's been contaminating my photos since before the layout was built. You noticing may be the impetus to finally have it hauled off to the dump tomorrow....
The rims love to seperate from the wheels on these .. It's a great engine though I love mine .
I have found even new motors may have a squeak. Never know how long they have been sitting in a warehouse. I use a drop of synthetic oil on each end and run them on DC at various speeds before I install them in an engine. G
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