Archive for The Unofficial Mamod and Other Steam Forum The Original Unofficial Toy Steam Forum
Established 2006
The biggest, most popular global steam forum around! Accept NO imitations!
We have a growing community of regular posting members who chat about all aspects of toy and model steam.
|
27ace27
|
hissing heater?I tried to run my empco just now, and when I plugged it in, the heater made hissing noises and started smoking. is this normal? 
EDIT: resistance is still at 37 ohms after plugging in.
|
IndianaRog
|
Sounds like some water/oil has dripped down boiler sides and gotten into the nichrome wire grid. Be sure it's grounded well and see if it doesn't just dry itself out after 10 min. of heating.
|
27ace27
|
| IndianaRog wrote: | | Sounds like some water/oil has dripped down boiler sides and gotten into the nichrome wire grid. Be sure it's grounded well and see if it doesn't just dry itself out after 10 min. of heating. |
GOOD NEWS! the hissing was just water boiling, and the smoking stopped! It also came up to steam quite fast! the only problem is that it is leaking EVERYWHERE! sightglass, SV, whistle, so it almost ran, but not quite. 
|
SlideValve
|
My Empire hisses too, and it works perfectly but mine does not smoke, it might be some 40+ year of stuff in the firebox burning off, my jensen 5 hissed a little less loudly than my empire, but it smoked, then i found 40+ years spider webs in the firebox burning off , but you should check the wiring just in case, The insulation on my robert fulton steam engine was barley hanging on, so I would re-do the wiring if i were you.
|
IndianaRog
|
| 27ace27 wrote: |
GOOD NEWS! the hissing was just water boiling, and the smoking stopped! It also came up to steam quite fast! the only problem is that it is leaking EVERYWHERE! sightglass, SV, whistle, so it almost ran, but not quite. |
Ace, on my website: www.indianarog.com there is a section called Restorer's Toolbox. In it you will find tips and tricks for regasketing the sightglass and combination safety valve-chimney on an Empire.
Roger
|
27ace27
|
| IndianaRog wrote: | | 27ace27 wrote: |
GOOD NEWS! the hissing was just water boiling, and the smoking stopped! It also came up to steam quite fast! the only problem is that it is leaking EVERYWHERE! sightglass, SV, whistle, so it almost ran, but not quite. |
Ace, on my website: www.indianarog.com there is a section called Restorer's Toolbox. In it you will find tips and tricks for regasketing the sightglass and combination safety valve-chimney on an Empire.
Roger |
I fixed the SV, but the biggest leak is at the steam valve. the sightglass leak seems to have died as well. very promising! now how to fix the steam valve, the hole for the needle valve is bigger than the valve itself, so it is loose and wobbly, and leaks steam. any suggestions?
|
IndianaRog
|
Sorry, never took an Empire steam valve apart (never had a leaker)...you might have to just jump in and figure it out!
|
metalhead100
|
Open air blanket type heater assembly where the "fumes" are not sealed air tight will stink when heated up after a long idle period,much like a space heater does....as the ni-chrome wire oxidizes and burns off when re-heated.
Think of a old spring coil type fan forced space heater ....when first fired up after a long idle spell you get a stink.....then it goes away.
Jim
|
xlchainsaw
|
| 27ace27 wrote: | | IndianaRog wrote: | | 27ace27 wrote: |
GOOD NEWS! the hissing was just water boiling, and the smoking stopped! It also came up to steam quite fast! the only problem is that it is leaking EVERYWHERE! sightglass, SV, whistle, so it almost ran, but not quite. |
Ace, on my website: www.indianarog.com there is a section called Restorer's Toolbox. In it you will find tips and tricks for regasketing the sightglass and combination safety valve-chimney on an Empire.
Roger |
I fixed the SV, but the biggest leak is at the steam valve. the sightglass leak seems to have died as well. very promising! now how to fix the steam valve, the hole for the needle valve is bigger than the valve itself, so it is loose and wobbly, and leaks steam. any suggestions? |
pics of the valve please. these "foreign" valves could be back to front or up side down to ours. lol like the cars. (left hand drive) my son in law is in the states with a car.... had car problems.... well trying to explain to him ...look on the right hand side..... huh!!! huh!! i gave up and said. "" it does have an engine right "??? he said do mean left?????  im tipping a small amount of plumbers teflon tape in the right place will help.
|
27ace27
|
| xlchainsaw wrote: | | 27ace27 wrote: | | IndianaRog wrote: | | 27ace27 wrote: |
GOOD NEWS! the hissing was just water boiling, and the smoking stopped! It also came up to steam quite fast! the only problem is that it is leaking EVERYWHERE! sightglass, SV, whistle, so it almost ran, but not quite. |
Ace, on my website: www.indianarog.com there is a section called Restorer's Toolbox. In it you will find tips and tricks for regasketing the sightglass and combination safety valve-chimney on an Empire.
Roger |
I fixed the SV, but the biggest leak is at the steam valve. the sightglass leak seems to have died as well. very promising! now how to fix the steam valve, the hole for the needle valve is bigger than the valve itself, so it is loose and wobbly, and leaks steam. any suggestions? |
pics of the valve please. these "foreign" valves could be back to front or up side down to ours. lol like the cars. (left hand drive) my son in law is in the states with a car.... had car problems.... well trying to explain to him ...look on the right hand side..... huh!!! huh!! i gave up and said. "" it does have an engine right "??? he said do mean left????? im tipping a small amount of plumbers teflon tape in the right place will help. |
here is a picture of the valve, it is not current as I am sure it was fine upon receipt and I messed something up as the hole where the valve goes in now has very shiny threads.  
|
|