Smoke unit making loud sound in

This could easily be something very simple such as a gasket fragment interfering with the fan blade turning.

If it was me I would have a look at it myself. My guess is it should be easy to fix.

Rod

Rod,

I was kind of thinking the same thing...

Thank you sir.

Nick B.

Lionel sent me their response as follows:

"We have two different fan motors for the EM-1 and one of them is a lot louder than the other. You stated it was smoking correctly so it is fine."

and then I preceeded to send them a reply as follows:

"In response to your statement:

I have (2) of the same locomotives 6-11336 and one is significantly louder than the other...almost like the fan is rubbing against something.....so no its not fine.....and I stated that it was smoking....but I didn't say correctly...the output isn't even close compared to the other....Do you think the gasket might be rubbing? "

Nick B.

If the fan is rubbing, and causing potential damage, then the electronics would shut it down and blink the cab light.  Most likely it is the motor itself, as noted by CS.  My belief is that you will need to have a new motor installed to solve your problem.

BTW, did they forget to paint your loco

2nd response from Lionel is as follows:

"Nick,

Even it being the same locomotive doesn’t mean it had the fan motor we use both motors in the same engine, the only way to tell the difference is that one is louder than the other. All engines smoke differently.

Have you tried reprogramming?

Do you have smoke fluid in?

After adding smoke fluid did you blow down to break up the meniscus?

Do you have the smoke on low medium or high?

Thank you,

Lionel"

My response back is as follows:

"It definitely sounds like the fan is rubbing against something...it could have been dislodged during shipping.

Yes, I tried reprogramming....same result Yes, smoke fluid is in Yes, I did blow down stack, and tapped it Tried smoke level on low, med, high - same result...same output of smoke...

PS: on my other unit...there is a slight hum produced by the smoke unit when it runs...the new unit is considerably louder...and the sound....It just doesn't sound right....I compare it to putting a playing card on the spokes of a bike...type of sound...

And you can still hear it over the tender sound effects.

Sincerely,

Nick B"

Sounds like either the fan blade is malformed or perhaps something got inside the chamber.  The other possibility is the fan blade is rubbing at the top or bottom by being incorrectly positioned on the shaft.  Any of those possibilities would give you the symptoms you describe.

I've had the blade positioned wring after fixing a motor, didn't press it on quite far enough.  Made a lot of racket clipping the top of the smoke unit.

IMO Lionel is just trying to blow you off.

I would definitely pull the shell off and run the smoke unit.

This should quickly get you to the problem.

I would slightly loosen the cover screws and see if the noise changes.

My bet is the gasket is interferring, or the fan is hitting the cover as John suggested.

Whatever it is, it isn't right.

Rod

IMO Lionel is asking the questions that need to be asked before committing to parts and a ship back.  In the end Nick might have done all of this but how does the CS rep on the other end of the phone know his level of experience?

Just about every steamer I've owned no matter the brand needed a couple of drops of oil on the fan motor bushing to quiet a noisey fan, once oiled the problem has yet to return. Gently remove the impeller with a pair off needlenose pliers then put a couple of drops on the bushing, turn the impeller shaft to work it in.Secondly,many of the newer legacy locos have the smoke units mounted to the underside of the boiler instead of to the frame. These "boiler mounted" units have the fan enclosed in a seperate housing. The spacing between the back of the fan impeller and the housing "wall" is crucial, pay close attention to this spacing when you disassemble the smoke unit. If the fan is replaced to far down onto the shaft it will rub the housing and make a horrendous amount of buzzing.

eric seigel just did a review of this loco  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aV3NJ8LJH_A&list=UUuFkal_rt9zt6Td60lfdGQQ&index=3&feature=plcp

maybe you could contact him through his web site; http://www.ericstrains.com/

Thanx guys for the info. I'm going to give it a shot and open it up...

PS: I checked out Eric Seigel's review....that guy does a great job.

Nick B.