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Author Topic: engine not running as it used to  (Read 153 times)

frankclock

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engine not running as it used to
« on: January 04, 2022, 10:14:05 pm »
I have a horizontal mill engine that used to have enough power to run a small generator
Having not used it for a while I ran it this morning on air but ran slowlt I then connected air direct into the unit it still runs slowly with no power
Before i panic too much any ideas of what the problem might be would be great before I start pulling it to peices
maybe the piston seals need looking at

komet163b

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Re: engine not running as it used to
« Reply #1 on: January 05, 2022, 10:16:27 am »
  Sorry to hear of your troubles.  Sometimes steam engines
get cranky if they aren't run now and then.  Does the
steam pipe have an oiler?  Is it a slide-valve engine or
an oscillator?  Sometimes, the piston/cylinder need a bit
of steam oil on the walls to help with the seal.  Not too
difficult for either type of engine.

  On the other hand, is the cylinder binding up?  In that case
you will need to figure a way to get some penetrating oil in
there to dissolve any congealed badness.  Pretty easy.

  Please show us a couple pix of your engine for our enjoyment.

Good Luck,
Wayne


txlabman

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Re: engine not running as it used to
« Reply #2 on: January 05, 2022, 10:38:55 am »
If you can post a short video of it running, I am sure that someone on here can help you diagnose the issue.

St Paul Steam

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Re: engine not running as it used to
« Reply #3 on: January 05, 2022, 07:20:50 pm »
Without knowing the particular brand , my 1st thought was an oiling problem, such as a Stuart engine that maybe didn't have the water expelled from it fully on its last run and maybe got a little rusty internally.
Bruce, St. Paul Indiana, USA
"Originality thrives in seclusion free of outside influences beating upon us to cripple the creative mind."
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frankclock

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Re: engine not running as it used to
« Reply #4 on: January 06, 2022, 03:59:17 pm »
thanks for everyones ideas
I removed the piston yesterday and replaced the o ring the engine is now running fine with plenty of power to run the generator
ill try and upload a video later

txlabman

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Re: engine not running as it used to
« Reply #5 on: January 07, 2022, 10:05:21 am »
thanks for everyones ideas
I removed the piston yesterday and replaced the o ring the engine is now running fine with plenty of power to run the generator
ill try and upload a video later

Excellent news!