Steam oil

Hi, I've been running my 2 in D & NY Traction engine for the first time, and I am running it on air. All seems to be OK with just a few minor tweeks here and their. But what I did notice was the displacement lubricator was not pumping any oil. I'm using Stewart turner steam oil. This is very thick at room temp and was wondering if that's the reason I was unable to turn the pump anymore. Thinking that it was jammed in some way I stripped it down and found it had eased itself back to normal. It may have had some debris clogging it or the oil is to blame, not sure. So can any one please help with this problem. Perhaps I should be using a thinner oil until I can fire it up and get some heat into it.

Thanks

Garry

Hi Garry,

Displacement lubricators need a steam supply to work as steam is condensed and the resulting water displaces oil into the steam feed. On air you will need to supply oil by some other means. Hope this helps.

Regards,

Keith

Some confusion here. A displacement lubricator does not turn. What you have sounds like a mechanical lubricator which is a positive displacement pump. As advised above, best use light ol for rnning on air

Hi Keith, I got it wrong, I men't a mechanical lubricator. And thanks Clive about answering. I will now try some thinner oil for now.

You say it had eased itself back to normal; are you saying then that it had physically stopped turning? I don't think the viscosity of the oil is the problem here.

If the lubricator was of the oscillating type (not sure of the exact name, but the type LBSC used to specify) then the cylinder would have just lifted off its seat if it was blocked; it would have still kept turning. If it is of a less forgiving kind then a physical blockage or stuck valve may have caused it to jam solid, but I would suspect its the ratchet or clutch giving you the issues here. Failing that, a mechanical issue with the pump itself. But in my opinion (and I'm still very much an inexperience amateur) I don't think the viscosity of the oil would cause the issue you are describing.

I suspect the pump body itself had something in it which caused it to jam. 

Edited By Jon Lawes on 05/04/2021 19:17:36

Hi, As has been said running on air you will need a thinner oil, having said that it sounds like your oil pump got air locked next time you run the engine slacken the oil pipe union off at the connection that goes into the cylinder, when you get a weep of oil retighten the connection.

Mike.

Hi, As has been said running on air you will need a thinner oil, having said that it sounds like your oil pump got air locked next time you run the engine slacken the oil pipe union off at the connection that goes into the cylinder, when you get a weep of oil retighten the connection.

Mike.

Double post for some reason

Edited By MichaelR on 05/04/2021 19:46:22