Ticking Noise in MTH ES44AC

If you pull the shell and remove the motor screw, you can get inside the truck through the frame. 

Sometimes just a little grease on the gears on the side of the truck block will make it go away. 

I had a similar noise coming from my Premier GP-38-2.

It turns out that the noise from my engine comes from one of the rollers on the front truck. A drop of oil makes it go away for a bit, but it comes back. It needs to be replaced, but I haven't got around to it yet.

Give the rollers a look.

The ticking is from the timing mechanism for the self destruct, lol!

I've noticed the smaller pickup rollers MTH uses have a "click" to them when not oiled. I remember it perking up my attention when I first heard it and went hunting for the sound until spinning the rollers. Made me feel better knowing there wasn't an issue with the engine.  

SJC,

You are right.  I have a new PS3 B&O GP35 and noticed this from day 1.  It is a very noisy engine in regards to the clicking rollers as compared to my silent PS2 GP38.

Thanks for posting this. I have the same problem on the same engine as Jonathen. I'll try the oil solution! Terry

Thanks for the responses, Guys! I haven't looked at it since I posted this thread due to "emergency bathroom remodeling", but I might be able to this weekend!

Well, I oiled everything as per the instructions and to my amazement, the clicking stopped! Thanks yankspride4 for the suggestion!  Terry

glad it worked out for you.

I've experienced that distinct clicking noise, from time-to-time, with a number of my locomotives, over the years; was going to say... I don't think it has anything to do with the motor worm gear... Thanks to the guys who spoke up about the rollers needing oil; never thought of that.

Rick

Well, I decided to do some more investigating.  I flipped my engine upside down, wired it up, and had the wheels run forward in conventional mode. At first, no clicking.  I touched the front pair of wheels to add some resistance - no clicking.  Then the middle - again, no clicking.  Then the third pair, and sure enough, the clicking happened, and it was very pronounced.  I oiled and greased the truck, and it didn't seem to help. I recorded a video of my experiment, but it didn't turn out too good, so I may try to record it again. I just can't help but feel that it's something inside the truck, maybe a gear that's misaligned or missing a tooth. Not sure at this point, but I have no MTH repair places near me. The closest place for me to take it would be MTH HQ, which is an hour from me.

Jon,

Wondering if you had this diesel serviced?  I just purchased a Premier Dash 8 UP and have a very pronounced clicking coming from the front truck housing.  I oiled the rollers just to be safe and I know what that clicking sounds like.  This noise is definitely coming from the wheel set in the front truck.  Might simply drop it off to MTH on Friday.

Great topic. I too have had this issue that comes and goes with my MTH ES44AC. Time to get the oil and grease out!

Thanks for the tips.

Been there done that.  Problem is this issue is really affecting slow speed performance.  This loco will barely move out until 5 SMPH.  The coupler sounds fire and the thing is still standing still.  It then moves and around 10 SMPH the clicking begins.  

It's MTH's sorry sound representation of a "spitter valve"?

I actually didn't get it serviced.  The clicking happened right out of the box. I always oil and grease my engines before using them for the first time. And of course, I didn't run the engine for a while after I bought it, long enough for the warranty to run out. The only thing I can do at this point is take it to MTH HQ, but that would require me to take some time off from work. I just keep thinking it's a gear with a missing tooth or something not positioned right in the gearbox. Haven't had much time to do any further investigating.

I really appreciate the responses, though!

Jon