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Author Topic: Leaky steam engine  (Read 1832 times)

CBWho

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Leaky steam engine
« on: January 20, 2020, 07:56:06 pm »
This is a 1950s Märklin base with a much older cast iron drive unit on it. The older Märklin parts do work well but as you can see there is more steam exhaust from the gland than the exhaust pot!

The engine is under load with an air temp of 9F.

The second photo shows the steam a bit more from the pot. The exhaust pot just ducts the steam straight up, it's not gurgling through water.

Hero

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Re: Leaky steam engine
« Reply #1 on: January 20, 2020, 10:47:35 pm »
There's so much steam around that it's hard to tell just where it's coming from.

And your bear must be scalded!
Bob

Steam Technology

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Re: Leaky steam engine
« Reply #2 on: January 20, 2020, 11:50:59 pm »
It can be easier to trace faults and leaks with air initially as you can work cold as it were and trace easily.
ALWAYS WORKING TO FIND A CURE FOR CENOSILLICAPHOBIA
Cheers. Dave.

Scorpion2nz

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Re: Leaky steam engine
« Reply #3 on: January 21, 2020, 12:02:46 am »
To trace leaks I use  air and a stethoscope
I remove the end of the stethoscope and replace with a long needle .

Cheers
Dennis

CBWho

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Re: Leaky steam engine
« Reply #4 on: January 21, 2020, 12:18:30 am »
Almost all of that steam is blowby past the gland. You see it more since it is way freezing.

There is some leaking about the whistle. Luckily I have a better spare (an older black handled one that's nicer).

Scorpion2nz

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Re: Leaky steam engine
« Reply #5 on: January 21, 2020, 02:23:07 am »
Has that engine actually got a gland with packing ?
Or as I suspect just a close fitting rod to bore ? If so then not much you can do with out some engineering.

Cheers
Dennis

CBWho

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Re: Leaky steam engine
« Reply #6 on: January 21, 2020, 08:32:56 am »
I believe the drive unit to be over 100 years old. No packing for the gland. It's actually left over remnants that Jutta sells from Germany. The drive unit looked so lovely as-is so I bought it. I noticed it looked good on a 1950s Märklin single acting base (that engine warn and repaired as well) so I swapped the drive units. With the smaller boiler it warms up quickly when -13C. I just watch the sight glass.

txlabman

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Re: Leaky steam engine
« Reply #7 on: March 17, 2020, 09:03:43 am »
Any progress of plugging the leaks Chris?