how to oil a loco and what oil to use

[bluedepot]

can anyone answer this question or link me to the answers?

i have only fairly newish (i.e made in last 7 years) farish or dapol diesel locos or dmus...


cheers,



tim

[tim-pelican]

And on a similar note, how do I know when?  I'm not really sure what noise a running loco is supposed to make (any?), or how much noise is coming from the the wheels on the track (and vibrations through to the baseboard) versus something I need to care about...

Is it as straightforward as "if it runs freely, don't oil it"?  Or should I be doing something before it gets to that point?

[Dr Al]

Oil type:

Something very thin. Thicker oils like Peco Electrolube are ok in OO, but too thick in N - they end up having the opposite effect of gumming things up. I'm also of the same opinion on grease. I generally strip out all the grease in new models and relubricate, with either Daywat, or MaGer oils. Generally this treatment can give an immediate drop in current consumption of maybe something like 10-20%.

A couple of specific cases that are very bad - Dapol 14xxs (early) seem to have lubricant that dries up completely very quickly so need some treatment. Also early Dapol 66s have some horrible sticky grease that causes all sorts of trouble - even lubricating as Dapol direct is not enough - it needs stripped out - I've seen 66s burnt out with this, such was the strain on their motors.

With regards timing, more difficult to say - very model dependent I'm afraid. Certainly anything that's secondhand I'd be looking to lubricate it properly (to be honest, I go much further and strip them right down and rebuild from bottom up adjusting everything as I go - it's amazing how some of the dogs out there can be turned into the sweetest of runners after some care). Of all the secondhand I've bought, virtually none had any indication of being lubricated correctly, or at all in the past. Many in fact had been very poorly lubricated (the "spray it with oil and it'll be fine" approach  ).

Which brings me onto - you need to be very careful what you oil and how - little oil is needed (easy to add more if necessary, more difficult to clean out when you overdo it), and motor commutators and some motor bearings should never be oiled. Those that do need particular care to ensure there is no chance oil migrates onto the commutator over time. Also, care needs to be taken around wheels - oil should never get onto the treads or backs of the wheels as it'll get out onto your track and create a wealth of trouble for adhesion, and damage to wheel surfaces, as well as possibly poor pickup.

I use fine tipped syringes to apply oil, allowing it to be directed very precisely to the correct location.

HTH,
Alan

[dodger]

My philosophy is quite simple. If its running satisfactorally leave well alone. At the first sign of poor running check cleanliness of wheels, pick-ups and track and clean if necessary.

If this doesn't cure the problem, reach for the oil but only the minutest drop, thin oil will run every where and then its a total strip down. I find even oil at the perioicity manufacturers state, every 10 hours, is too much oil.

[EtchedPixels]

A good clue with the diesels at least is the loco beginning to slow on corners when it didn't do so before. At that point it's definitely worth a check.

[bluedepot]

cheers for replies

what do you think of peco power lube? is this suitable for n gauge locos?

i just have a few locos that are noisy, so i was thinking maybe they needed oiling...


tim

[Newportnobby]

Hi Tim,

This is what I use.
http://www.gaugemaster.com/item_details.asp?code=GM619&r=1

Hope this helps

[Dr Al]

what do you think of peco power lube? is this suitable for n gauge locos?

I think this is probably also too thick.

Cheers,
Alan

[bluedepot]

ok cheers al

i will buy some thin oil

i'll google the brands you mentioned

i currently have a br blue 46 and 37 warming up on the track, i've cleaned it all today with ipa and a track rubber / paper where necessary... i also cleaned the wheels on 8 mk2 coaches and 18 HEA hoppers.... i just bought the gaugemaster loco wheel cleaner so used that as well.... it's war on all dirt today!!!


best wishes


tim

[Chinahand]

I use the Hob-E-lube Ultra Lite Oil. http://www.nairnshire-modelling-supplies.co.uk/hl661-hobelube-ultra-lite-oil-large-p-1102.html I also use their Moly Grease on worm drives.

[Sprintex]

I use the Hob-E-Lube stuff as well 

. . . it's war on all dirt today!!!

I had one of those days a few weeks back - 50 coaches and 34 wagons later it's all nice 'n' shiny 


Paul

[bbdave]

I use the little oil bottles that come with hair trimmers and electric razors

Dave

[bluedepot]

cheers for the product tip offs!

so... you've got the right oil, you know you only need to apply a tiny amount, so next question is where to put it?


tim

[EtchedPixels]

cheers for the product tip offs!

so... you've got the right oil, you know you only need to apply a tiny amount, so next question is where to put it?

Depends on the model where and if it needs oiling. It should tell you in the instruction sheet that you threw away

[Newportnobby]

Hi Tim,

This might help.

http://www.bachmann.co.uk/service/gf_assmbly.php