Lionel 3927 Track Cleaning Car

They were all very loud Growlers. I would try taking it apart cleaning it up very good maybe the brushes and it might have a bad thrust bearing but it should be a simple fix.

The one I have sounds louder then the one in the video. 

As others have said, those are noisy machines.  When I first put electricity to mine I had similar concerns.

There is very little to them--a motor and some nylon gears.  Take the top off, service the motor, and see what's what with the gears.

It could use a complete overhaul, new brushes, oiling and lube, and most likely you should replace the pad.  The idea was a good idea back in the day, but they really are a problematic unit.  There are better options available today.

The noise is probably from the often overlooked drive gear lubrication. The metal gears need a drop of oil on them.

Mine made a lot of noise too, but it got quieter after I hit it with 220v.  Real quiet now.

Chris S.

I just took a close look at the black screw that secures the cab to the frame; not a mark on it; this car has never been opened.  Checked the wheels, there is still original black on all of them showing very little wear; I would not mind getting it in better order.  A video of a good one would be appreciated.

FIREONE, that is pretty funny.

Here you go - not in pristine condition, but I just recently cleaned and lubed it - still noisy! But I will say my scrubber brush thingy is going around much faster than yours!!!

GEOPEG, thanks a million!!!  I am heading toward keeping it and not sending it back.  Yours sounds just like mine!  I discovered this from CW Burfle in https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...aintenance-questions

I did the same as CW, and I would concur with his comments on gear wear. Probably why mine is still pretty noisy … but then as an actual track cleaning car, this thing is a bit sucky, so I just do it by hand for now. I have seen some better designs showing up in this forum. If I can ever  get away from carpet layouts, I will give one or two of them a try!

Tear it apart and clean it, there's not much to these things. I'm going to guess that your uber-slow armature speed is being caused by a LOT of crud on and in between the commutator segments … or just to cover my bases, check for crud in the gears too!!! 

George

Here's a couple of drawings to help in the cleaning process

Thanks a million GEOPEG!!  I will keep those drawings!!

Decided to just put it on the track and let it run a bit by itself, maybe work out the cob webs.  It ran all of 15 seconds, then went intermittent, then quit and began stinking a bit; cut the power.  After a few more attempts rolling it a little on the track, the motor didn't spin.

Will see if I can ship it back to the seller on the Bay; will keep the forum informed.

Thanks to GEOPEG and to the rest of the members for the advice!!!

There are quite a few on the Bay; may give it one last shot.

And I agree, that one needs to go back to whoever sold it to you, especially if it was advertised as functional. "As-Is" would of course, be a different story.

Good luck!!

The unit you have looks clean and complete, but any motor will stall and smoke of 40 year old grease is gumming it up.  If you are not willing to dive into it and give it a good cleaning and lube I suggest staying away from another PW cleaner.  Why put these ebay sellers through the misery of taking returns. Anything postwar should be considered as is, unless of course there is abnormal wear or physical damage not disclosed.

It is too bad such a nice piece was operated to "death" instead of simply serviced as recommended.

StrapHanger posted:

The unit you have looks clean and complete, but any motor will stall and smoke of 40 year old grease is gumming it up.  If you are not willing to dive into it and give it a good cleaning and lube I suggest staying away from another PW cleaner.  Why put these ebay sellers through the misery of taking returns. Anything postwar should be considered as is, unless of course there is abnormal wear or physical damage not disclosed.

I hear you; however, it isn't like they are giving them away; I paid $70 plus shipping with the understanding that it worked; this one worked for about 15 - 40 seconds; then quit.  For the money, I expected at least a minute!  Misery - well excuuuuuuuuuuuuuuse me; if you offer compromised items, then expect the outcome.  Now I have to deal with the effort to send it back and then wait for the refund.