Dapol Q1 'clicking' noise

Henners84 · January 02, 2021, 12:14:53 PM

Hi All,
Wondering if you can help...?
A pending house move means that I am abandoning my project for a small n gauge 1950s/60s layout in favour of a larger sectorisation layout when we move (v excited!). Because I am already splurging money on 1980s stock in preparation, I am deciding to have a bit of a clear out of my 1950s/60s stock.
One of the items I was going to list on ebay is a dapol Q1 (BR early crest) that I purchased from DCC Supplies in June. It is DCC ready but never got round to fitting. All I did was run in the loco and follow the original oiling steps c. 6 months ago when purchased so was hoping to sell as 'nearly new' or 'as new'. On checking the loco prior to listing on eBay I noticed a 'clicking' sound on running. I do not recall list from c. 6 months ago. Anyone else experienced this? Maybe the piston rod catching? Would like to try and fix this prior to listing. If I cannot fix I'll advertise with the 'clicking' disclosed. How would you describe the 'clicking' to a purchaser?
Looks like I cannot upload a video on here. However a video can be viewed on Instagram under the name 'ngaugeforsale' (I just created this account). Your help much appreciated.
Thanks,
Henry

ntpntpntp · January 02, 2021, 12:41:23 PM

What's the frequency of the click - is it once per driving wheel revolution, or more/less than that?

It could be something in the rods or valve gear catching. Unfortunately a regular click is also often the sign of a split gear though I don't know if the Q1s are susceptible to splits as some other locos are. I wonder if a mis-located drive shaft could cause such a click? If so it would probably be more frequent than once per wheel revolution.

Sorry I don't subscribe to Instagram to view your video.

Henners84 · January 02, 2021, 12:44:36 PM

It's exactly once per revolution, hence I expect it's something catching rather than a split gear, however identifying what is clicking is tricky (at least for me!)

Henners84 · January 02, 2021, 12:52:35 PM

For those who cannot access Instagram, I have also uploaded to YouTube here...
https://youtu.be/H0NekAUD1HI

ntpntpntp · January 02, 2021, 01:01:44 PM

That's quite high pitched, almost a "chirp" or a "squeak" but not. Makes me wonder if something plastic is catching and "pinging"?

Newportnobby · January 02, 2021, 01:17:18 PM

I can't hear a clicking but the cardan shaft twixt tender and loco seems noisy. Is it seated properly at both ends as they are easy to dislodge?

Henners84 · January 02, 2021, 01:24:16 PM

You're right, it does sound a little chirp-like. Think that might be the audio quality as sounds a bit more like a clicking or tixking sound to me in real life. As for other noises, these appear to me no different from the day I bought it. What should I looking out for between the boiler and tender connection?

Henners84 · January 02, 2021, 01:32:22 PM

This video may be a little clearer...

https://youtu.be/bbNTCZEKa9Q
Click happens when the piston is furthest forward but not evident to me what may be catching

Henners84 · January 02, 2021, 02:01:01 PM

Some progress...

https://youtu.be/YG_Wky7KCXI
Removed the clicking moving forward but still present in reverse. Noticed the a coupling rod wasn't quite straight and catching so have adjusted this which remove the clicking going forwards

ntpntpntp · January 02, 2021, 02:50:32 PM

There's some sort of quartering problem going forward as the coupling rods are rocking and not remaining parallel to the ground. Is it the same on the other side?

Running backward it's got a tight spot which seems to coincide with the tick.

Henners84 · January 02, 2021, 02:58:10 PM

How do you mean quartering? Coupling rods are loose on the pins that hold them to the wheels which I presumed was the design as, otherwise, the coupling rod will rub against the bodywork between the wheels (the bodywork between the wheels protrudes further than the wheels). It's the same on the other side but not as bad. There's just the one coupling rod on the right side of the loco whereas the left side has the coupling rod and piston adapter so more complex mechanism

ntpntpntp · January 02, 2021, 04:19:59 PM

Quote from: Henners84 on January 02, 2021, 02:58:10 PM
How do you mean quartering?

Meaning the wheels are set so that on one side when all the rods are at Top Dead Centre (TDC) the rods on the other side are 90 degrees forward or backward from TDC. On a real steam loco that's so the cylinders can apply power strokes smoothly throughout the rotation of the wheel, and results in the typical 4 chuffs per revolution (ignoring multi-cylinder locos for now).

On a model, if a wheel has turned a little on the axle and is not exactly in phase with the other wheels that's when you can get problems such as rocking rods, wheels locking up etc. There tends to be a little slack due to manufacturing tolerances but the wheels still need to be lining up for the loco to run smoothly.

Henners84 · January 02, 2021, 04:29:37 PM

I see, thank you. Visually the quartering looks appropriate. Trying now to figure out how to unscrew the body to take a look inside. Annoyingly I can't find instructions on how to open up the loco. There does not appear to be any obvious entry point

Henners84 · January 03, 2021, 10:15:09 AM

Does anyone know how to get into the body of these to check the mechanism and what seems to be catching?

N_GaugeModeller · January 03, 2021, 11:03:33 AM

With Dapol you often have to check for hidden screws clips and sometimes glue, don't think they were using glue when the Q1 was made though so probably either a hidden screw or clips or both.

NGM