testing on air

hi just got my wagon back togethor today after the gaskets in the cylinder needing replaceing due to drying out ove the last 20 ish years.

would like to test if the engine runs ok as i have not had running since owning

would like to run on air due to livving in a first floor flat so steam is certainaly not an optin.

the model came with an adapter for running on air to be connect to a pipe.

the main question is is it ok to connect to a water clack to feed the air in to the boiler as there is no other place it can be put to also is there anything to watch out for while running on air. genneraly would it need less air preassure then steam or normal working pressure?

many thanks mike

I should not matter where you attach the air inlet. BUT and a BIG BUT is that the boiler should not be pressurized to if it has not been tested first You said it has not been run for 20 years and anything could have happened to it in that time. Testing a boiler with air (and steam) is dangerous and if there is any problems with it and it fails, it will explode because air is an expandable gas. Testing of the boiler is done with pressurized water and if it leaks or splits, the pressure is quickly reduced. (no big bang). The pressure and volume to run it would be similar for steam or air.

Hi Michael,

If the boiler is good there should be no problem running on air. You just have to have a compressor that will supply not only the pressure but also the volume of air required.

Paul.

I feed air in via a drain plug. Colin

You may also find it beneficial to put some standard engine oil in your lubricator so that you are feeding lube in to the cylinders. Steam oil is no good at ambient temperatures and no oil would not be a god idea. Do be aware that oil will come out in the exhaust, take precautions to avoid the wrath of whoever has to clean the flat.