Model Boat Mayhem

The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Steam => Topic started by: Meyer on July 09, 2011, 01:09:51 pm

Title: Caton engine lock up
Post by: Meyer on July 09, 2011, 01:09:51 pm

Hi I have a Maxwell Hemmens Caton engine, which " locks up tight, under steam !!!
I have built a couple of twins, so keen to have go at this one, my self,
has any body had similar problems, ?

Title: Re: Caton engine lock up
Post by: pettyofficernick on July 09, 2011, 03:02:55 pm

Is the timing set correctly? and do you have any water in the cylinders causing a hydraulic lock? these are the first things I would investigate.

Title: Re: Caton engine lock up
Post by: pipercub1772 on July 09, 2011, 06:23:09 pm

Roy ,I have a hemmens max2 engine that was a improved version of your caton i have not had that problem but it is nearly the same engine ,what i do know is they like running at a high psi looking at your topaz thread if that is the engine you are referring to you indicate you are running at 40 psi or under i thinkyou should run at least 60 or above its normal to run that engine at 70/80 that is something you could try,you also want the exhaust to be a large diameter  as this will create a back pressure if it is to small,you could try running at a higher pressure with the exhaust disconnected,obviously there are more experienced people on here that will help you and you could also ring or  e/mail john hemmens he should be able to give you first class advice regards Allan

Title: Re: Caton engine lock up
Post by: gondolier88 on July 10, 2011, 02:09:28 pm

Could be you have severe scoring on the valve faces keeping the cylinders pressurised when they should be exhausting.

Greg

Title: Re: Caton engine lock up
Post by: john hemmens on July 10, 2011, 07:54:11 pm

Look at the cylinder head and you will see a very small hole above the piston valve. The hole 0.7 dia and you may have to carefully clean both exits from the piston valves. When you steam you should see a small witness of oil coming out of these holes and if not, then you have a lubrication problem and no oil is getting through to the engine. Check your lubricator and the quality of the oil you are using.  Regards,  john hemmens  :-)) :-)

Title: Re: Caton engine lock up
Post by: Meyer on July 11, 2011, 11:49:10 am

Hi John,

Many thanks for your post, Engine now running great, it was not a engine problem after all, but the propshaft which had locked up, had to remove and re-grease, your engine is running excellent for about 1989  !!!
(http://s1.postimage.org/2sv6261fo/TOPAZ_OTW_sunny_day.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/2sv6261fo/)