Fan noise from New 2-8-0 #701

@Roger OverNOut posted:

Just bought my first steamer for Christmas.  Love the locomotive, but it seems to have a very loud smoke fan.  It’s is noticeable on startup and really noticeable when chuffing slowly.  I have read that some of these fans can get noisy but wanted opinions from the forum on the video below.  Is this abnormally loud?

a few details

1) GW180 pushing 17.5 v to the track.  This is the only engine (and a few lighted cars)

2) volume is set at defaults

3) sound will sometimes reduce just after adding a few drops of smoke fluid

4) running in LionChief app with Bluetooth

thanks all for your time and advice!

Roger OverNOut

If I may ask, it alsmost sounds as if it might be coming from the speaker. If not than it’s the fan, give Lionel a call

Here's the messed up part- yes loud, yes, many would consider a problem- sadly far too common of modern Lionel to come with a fan sounding like this..

You could try taking it apart, removing the impeller, lubing the fan motor output bushing and see if that reduces the noise.

If not, then send back to Lionel and let them handle it.

As another possible route.....

An often said and repeated theme is replacing a noisy Lionel smoke fan motor, with a replacement part sourced from MTH.

From this page, scroll down. https://www.mthpartsandsales.c...ts/240?type=products

Thank you for the replies,  I have turned off the speaker entirely and the sound still happens.  I am debating whether to fix this myself or ship it off...  Seems like less of a headache to replace the motor myself.

Roger OverNOut

More than half my engines sound like that. You are more likely to get one like you have then a quiet one. Some of mine have gotten better after a while. I would turn the volume up to drowned it out and be done with it. You could take it apart and put a very small drop of smoke fluid on the impeller shaft. I have a few that are louder than yours. Both MTH and Lionel. Although my Lionel smoke fans are probably louder.

Brad