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[tonyH]

I've been trying to decide whether to try lapping the faces on a twin oscillator to try and reduce the small amount of leakage before putting washers under the spring etc. I'd had a quick search on here and noticed that a lot of the info, about using graphite etc, came from 10 years ago and then seemed to stop.
What techniques are the most proven for this sort of niggle and would apply to any type of plant?

Cheers
Tony

[Seacommander]

I have this query also,
Before you do anything, get some good thick steam oil between the two faces and give a good run.
Made a difference to mine
Hope that helps

[tonyH]

Hi Seacommander,
The engine and the boat have been running, with steam oil as normal, for several hours but I've now fitted an electronic gas regulator etc. and there's always been a certain amount of bubbling from the steam regulator so I thought I'd see if I can improve matters. The screw/spring arrangement travel is limited by the threaded hole. I can certainly use a fine washer to increase the loading between the faces but I was wondering about whether I should use a fine lapping paste/oil to see if it would bed in better.The article by Richard Simpson in this May MB has a picture of a similar engine with the byline "being carefully set up and looked after, does not leak too much from the port or the CONTROL VALVE FACES" so how?
Cheers
Tony

[KNO3]

Hello, an oscillating engine will always " weep" a little, no matter how well the port faces are lapped. Lapping can easily be done with wet 1000 sandpaper on a verf flat surface (you can start with a coarser grit if there are deeper scratches).

Increasing the spring pressure on the cylinders will reduce steam loss, but there is always a tradeoff, because it also increases friction. You need to carefully balance this.

Why don't you show a picture of your engine, it would be easier to offer advice after seeing the exact configuration.

[DBS88]

Hi I have a pair of oscillating engines which are about twenty years old, I bought the to learn about steam, the advice I received was to replace the springs and to replace them every three years. The springs are not expensive, I plan to replace mine next time the steam plant comes out of the steam tug.

[tonyH]

Hi,The motor is a Libra from Clevedon Steam as attached. It's simple to build and operate and does the job I wanted without any hassle. It's just the line from Richard Simpson in MB about maintaining and although there's little to it I was just wondering whether the bubbles that emerge could be improved with a touch of TLC.
Could be "who does what" on a regular/occasional basis?

[DBS88]

Hi Have you spoken with Jerry at Clevedon steam? he is most helpful and has the springs if thats what you end up needing,

[tonyH]

I haven't spoken with Jerry, simply because it's not a problem as such. I assumed, rather, that fine tuning and/or maintenance is a common matter that is part of owning steam engines, or any type of engine, of whatever size.

Tony

[KNO3]

It really depends how bad the bubbles are. If its not loosing a lot of steam, I would leave it alone, as one could also damage the port faces while attempting to lap them.

[SteamboatPhil]

If you are getting bubbles on the faces, you could try a littler superheat on the steam line as it would seem to me that you are getting boiling water as well as steam. 

[rhavrane]

Bonjour,
What does "leak" mean    ? at about 35 - 45 PSI :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dsr55D5aJmU or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qY2XXqTajM8

But with a pressure of 30 PSI, much much less leaks, examples : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpQjcY7Qdqo or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uojPHlGGB5I

Based on this experience, I would think that these machines do not like pressure, not obvious to manage tightness and tightening of springs, and prefer working at about 30 PSI.

I have tried to enhance several of my machines with 1200 sand paper, I have not been able to change their leaking behaviour so I live with.

     

[tonyH]

Hello all and thanks for the input,
I think that it's a case of "live with it" and just monitor the way the motor works rather than trying to " improve" it.
It runs well on 40psi  with a modicum of bubbling, which changes to more " steaminess", if there is such a word, as the system temperature rises. I can see if there is any appreciable difference from playing with the pressure settings on the gas regulator but mainly just make sure all is fit and lubricated after a longish period of lockdown!They are on pretty well a suicide mission anyway, so whats a few bubbles "entre les amis?"Tony

[rhavrane]

Bonjour Tony,
What a beautiful torpedo boat, and why a French flag ?
She reminds me my friend Emmanuel's one : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCzolavGB5I

[tonyH]

Bonjour Raphael et Merci!,
She wears the Tricolor because the plans came from the Canot Torpille plans on the Service Historique files. They have such a lovely shape and are perfect for steam.
Cheers
Tony