MTH Premier Line noises from motors?

Let me also add. The sound is especially noticeable on the WM H-9 locomotive (20-3554-1). The sound resembles a clicking noise that is speed dependent. The slower the motor/locomotive runs, the slower the sound repetition is. This locomotive is the newest addition to my railroad family only running since Christmas.

I had the same clicking noise with my MTH LIRR GP38. Sent it to GUNRUNNER JOHN to remedy the situation. He couldn't find the cause. It will either resolve itself over time or a component will fail identifying the cause.

Sunrise

Very interesting. I see Im not the only one then. Have you had any issues since you sent the locomotive in? Did the sound continue or stop and has it caused any other major problems?

I suspect there's a wire/cable harness inside rubbing on something that's spinning/turning.  I had a clicking noise coming from an engine and it turned out to be a zip-tie rubbing on the drive shaft.  Can you remove the shell/boiler and run it?  If so, is the noise still there?

I installed a new motor in a RailKing 2-8-0 and the slow-speed was awful.  I finally got enough gear grease inside the gearbox that not only made it run better/slower it is less noisy.

I was always told that you can't break an engine in, you can only wear it out, but I think there's some truth to putting some mileage on an engine to "knock the burrs off".

As these are steam engines it could be internal or rods/valve gear noise. Maybe something there is bent and hits when in motion?

I think Bob Delbridge and BobbyD are on point. I've had locomotives in both of these categories.

Sunrise Special posted:

I had the same clicking noise with my MTH LIRR GP38. Sent it to GUNRUNNER JOHN to remedy the situation. He couldn't find the cause. It will either resolve itself over time or a component will fail identifying the cause.

Sunrise

I also have that noise on a lirr gp38. It seems to be from the gearbox. It runs fine except for the noise. I guess the wait and see approach is what to do. 

Spectac, can I ask which model is giving the issue?  So far mine is running flawless but just was curious.  Thanks and good luck!

model# 20-20112. The ps2 version. My ps1 and PS3 versions are silent. This one runs well also, it just has the gear noise. 

Tom

Certainly I don't like "funny noises" any more than do others, and they always bear noting and basic investigation, but, on steamers, as mentioned,  regular "clicks" can indeed be the valve gear and rods (this can be more than a little prototypical - but the "clicks" are "clanks" ). A squeak almost always just means oil all those little rivets...brass locos can also be noisy from gear whine and driveshaft whirr - brass, unlike cast zinc, acts as a sounding board and resonates with the sound (most real bells are brass...not a coincidence). Cast zinc actually acts as a noise suppressant. Brass locos tend toward being thin-shelled and more hollow.

Many noises, like gear noise, are irritating but harmless. If your brass (for example) engine is a bit of a growler, but the gear train moves smoothly by hand (spinning the flywheel, for example) it is probably never going to be a problem. It may quiet down as rough gear-tooth faces get smoothed by use.

I have some PS 2 diesels that click/tick like crazy so I just crank up the sound!!! I've tried everything else to no better result. 

Every once and awhile I will hear something but it sometimes clear itself.  Hasn't happened in awhile so I think it sorted itself out.  I didn't want to overkill with lube.  

Smoke unit fan? turn smoke off .Noise still there?

I suspect gearbox noise, but you can narrow it down by listening to the frequency of the sounds.  It would have to be fairly fast to be the motor flywheel hitting or rubbing on something.  If it's slower, it could be gear/wheel related.

Of course, the new Lionel Legacy stuff has creaks and groans in the sound file, so turn off the sound to hunt it down.

Thanks for all of the responses. 

I'm personally leaning towards the flywheel idea. The sound frequency increases with speed just like it could be something getting caught on the flywheel. The sound does seem to have no performance issues with the locomotive. My biggest fear is that I am going to cause expensive damage to an expensive locomotive. 

As I'm sure is the case for everyone here, I want to be spending money expanding my railroad empire rather than fixing things that I already own. 

One more question... I won't void my MTH warranty by opening up the locomotive will I? It would be just to check if nothing is getting caught. 

-Marc 

The flywheel is turning 20 to 40 time faster than the drivers.  Same with shaft if unit has one.  So John's comment about frequency is spot on.  If it increases with speed, it probably is drive line related, but gear, linkage are items to look for.

Opening won't void warranty, pinching a wire reassembling would....if manufacturer wanted to draw a hard line.  G

I had the same problem with a Premier H-8 2-6-6-6.  The driveline had the squeaking and clicking, which was consistent with the RPMs.  Initially I thought it was the U-joints on the drive shaft.  Oiled everything.  No luck!  After three times of removing and replacing the boiler, it turns out two of the three screws holding the motor mount to the chassis were ever so slightly loose.  This allowed the motor to pivot a few degrees each way.  This created a lot of slop in the driveline and completely threw off the geometry and balancing.

I put removable Locktite on all motor mount screws torqued everything up and PROBLEM SOLVED!  She is whisper quiet and one of my best runners.  Hope you have the same issue cause it is a tough find, but an easy fix.