Large Scale Central

Lubrication

What is an easy way to inject oil into cylinders whilst air testing ?

Mike M

Good question. I hope you get an answer. This problem may be the reason why it’s usually suggested to air test only at low pressure and the resulting low RPMs.

I air pressurize via the water fill. If I could get in on the stem side of the circuit I would think about injecting a wee bit of pneumatic tool oil, but I would not want that in my water boiler.

Mike Morgan said:
What is an easy way to inject oil into cylinders whilst air testing ?

Mike M


Uh, you can’t unless you are REALLY quick with a spanner.

Most of us take off the cylinder end caps, oil copiously all around with your choice - 3-in-1 is good - and then put the caps back on.

Steam oil can’t be used as it needs to emulsify in order to function.

Roundhouse Engineering run their factory-built locos on air for eight hours, BTW.

When you are hyppa, then you clean the whole thing down - REALLY clean - and lightly oil up with steam oil to keep it oily.

tac
www.ovgrs.org

I like the answers so far , but Tac has puzzled me slightly -----I am known to be thick as two short planks----I thought emulsifying resulted from vigorous mixing . I took your comment to mean that heating was required .

I may tee an oiler into the circuit , perhaps the air will blow enough in .

Keep the ideas coming , I can’t be the only one to wonder about this .

Mike M

Mike, the steam oil needs high temperature and pressure to break down the tallow content into a working lubricant, as I’m certain sure you already know.
If you a are handy enough to ‘tee an oiler into the circuit’ then I’m sure you’ll think of a way to heat it up to a reasonable working temperature - the pressure, on the other paw, is something different.

However, I just called up Roundhouse, and Hari there tells me that when running-in on air they simply oil copiously and every now and then dollop some oil in via the valve chest covers.

If it’s good enough for them…

tac
www.ovgrs.org

Thanks for that , Tac . I didn’t know about the breakdown by heat and what it produces . So I have learned something today .
As for the Roundhouse experience , that sounds OK to me .
thanks again ,
Mike

Mike Morgan said:
Thanks for that , Tac . I didn't know about the breakdown by heat and what it produces . So I have learned something today . As for the Roundhouse experience , that sounds OK to me . thanks again , Mike
De nada, Mijneer.

Tschuess!!

tac

However, I just called up Roundhouse, and Hari there tells me that when running-in on air they simply oil copiously and every now and then dollop some oil in via the valve chest covers.

If it’s good enough for them…

tac
www.ovgrs.org
[/I have set up my Airline with a Lubricator inline, I place this in a can of boiling water and fill the lubricator right too the top and keep topping this up as It do`se
not expell the oil as well as when Steam is in the line!.
Works for me!,

Stingy John./]