SE2a steaming problems

loose nut 45 · SE2a steaming problems

I have tried to steam my SE2a today but with the same result each time.

I get the pressure fine but steam and water comes from the manifold block and I cant seem to get enough pressure to get motion on the flywheel. Its the same in fowards and reverse setting. The flywheel appears to turn freely with little or no resistance.

The steam pipe is clear.
The steam exhausts are both clear all the way to the chimney.
No pressure loss form anywhere else.

Any suggestions????

Les

Is the trunnion bolt too tight and have you oiled it?

loose nut 45

I ve tried it tight and tried it loosened to a fair degree and applied oil to all the usual places

Les

Try turning the piston 180 degrees and apply plenty of steam oil in the cylinder.

loose nut 45

johnreid

When it is up to pressure check for small leaks, plus check the little holes in the cylinder that allow the steam to enter and exit, I have seen those get clogged on occasion

loose nut 45

Wallace

If anything is moving freely and you have tried rotating the piston, try a little bit less water in ther boiler, say 20 or 30ml less. It sounds like it's priming
If it does run then, be careful with the water level that it doesn't run dry

A puddle can be normal under the cylinder area, but it builds up over time with a bit of priming then leaking steam condensing. But water in that area without the engine running suggests an overfilled boiler.

Also watch the trunnion bolt. I assume it has the bolt with the very end threaded (rather than a threaded bolt with a nut. If is has this bolt with a threaded tip, it should be screwed in all the way, and any tension adjustment is done via the spring (stretching, compressing or replacing). If that bolt isn't screwed all the way in it can come loose during a run. That ends in the piston/cylinder coming off and usually a loss of the bolt.

Stoker

Is it possible that the cylinder has been replaced by one with different dimensions, so that now the steam and exhaust port holes don't align with the cylinder hole?

johnreid

I have a MM2 that the piston needs to be dipped in Steam Oil before running or it only sits there and does nothing, lack of compression

loose nut 45

colin

I agree with Wallace it sounds if you have
overfilled your boiler.

Dr. Rog

keep spinning the flywheel to pump the condensate out.

loose nut 45

Many thanks for all your input to date it has been most helpfull.

I have examined the piston and block assembly tonight and I have notice a tiny bump / burr on the corner of the machined face. possibly dropped on the floor in a previous life

This would effectively hold the two parts ever so slightly apart in the bottom corner exactly where it appears to vent.

I have carefully removed the burr it with a very fine flat jewellers file and will steam her up again towards the weekend. I will also only part fill the boiler as I normally fill until it comes out of the filler plug hole.

I will update once this has been done

loose nut 45

johnreid

Success, good deal

Les

Glad to hear you have sorted the problem.

Andrew1971

Excellent another one that lives again

Dr. Rog

tiny damage, big problem.

a good example of how all steam toys are worth persevering with.

MrDuck

I recognise vthat -invisible slight, just needs a touch-up to run

Gratulations on finding and correcting the snag