Motor help?

Miksolo · (This post was last modified: 02-15-2016, 10:14 PM by Miksolo.)

I'm trying to examine an old broken O-face Thomas's motor, and found this white stuff inside the motor box and thought it was glue, but while pulling thing like dust and hairs out with tweezers, it touched a bit of the white stuff, and it came right off. Is this normal? Does anyone know if it's safe to touch?

I just gave up trying to learn for myself, and closed up the Thomas, just to see that I did get it working again! So, hooray, I guess!
Although, I'm still a bit worried/curious about the white gel stuff.

anc6802 · anc6802 02-15-2016, 10:39 PM Member

Its a white lithium grease that is uses to lubricate the plastic gears, and help prevent the gear whine that is heard. The newer trackmaster revolution seems to have switched to a synthetic type pink grease

**ripley802** · **ripley802** 02-15-2016, 11:20 PM Moderator

Just in case if you are wanting to clean it off and put new grease, it can be found at lowes/Home Depot in the section with the air tools. I picked up a tube of it for around $4. Definitely comes in handy for motor swaps. Although some of them seem louder once they are greased up. But yes, it should be safe to touch, just do not eat it. Big Grin

**Super** · **Super** 02-15-2016, 11:52 PM Track Engineer

(02-15-2016, 11:20 PM)ripley802 Wrote: it should be safe to touch, just do not eat it.

Oh no!...are you sure? I was using it to ice my Toaster Struddles

Miksolo · Miksolo 02-16-2016, 12:36 AM the only furry who cares about plarail

Oh, good to know it's just grease. Would it also be safe to try and swap into another engine? That is, if I ever get that last screw out of Gordon... It's been a HUGE pain, and I'm fairly certain it's stripped by now.

**ripley802** · **ripley802** 02-16-2016, 12:44 AM Moderator

(02-15-2016, 11:52 PM)Super Wrote: Oh no!...are you sure? I was using it to ice my Toaster Struddles

Haha.. Not on the struddles...lol

(02-16-2016, 12:36 AM)Miksolo Wrote: Oh, good to know it's just grease. Would it also be safe to try and swap into another engine? That is, if I ever get that last screw out of Gordon... It's been a HUGE pain, and I'm fairly certain it's stripped by now.

I would think it should be fine. Also if the screw is a small Phillips try using a slot screwdriver that is smaller. Sometimes the corners will match up and with enough pressure it should come out.

Miksolo · Miksolo 02-16-2016, 12:56 AM the only furry who cares about plarail

(02-16-2016, 12:44 AM)ripley802 Wrote: I would think it should be fine. Also if the screw is a small Phillips try using a slot screwdriver that is smaller. Sometimes the corners will match up and with enough pressure it should come out.

The screw is definitely shipped and stripped, and what's a slot screwdriver? .3.

**ripley802** · **ripley802** 02-16-2016, 01:04 AM Moderator

(02-16-2016, 12:56 AM)Miksolo Wrote: The screw is definitely shipped and stripped, and what's a slot screwdriver? .3.

Straight screwdriver ( - ) as opposed to a Phillips ( + )

If that doesn't work then depending on where it is you may be able to make a groove in the screw to try and get it out with the straight/slot screwdriver.

anc6802 · anc6802 02-16-2016, 01:34 AM Member

I'm guessing its one of the rear screws that are recessed in his chassis? If its stripped badly many times you can use a t4 or a t5 torx bit (*) and it will grip what's left of the center. The other alternative is to drill the screw head off which is easy, they used pot metal for the screws and the drill just eats them up in seconds.

Super, I love toaster strudels', they never give enough frosting in the packets!

Miksolo · Miksolo 02-16-2016, 02:34 AM the only furry who cares about plarail

(02-16-2016, 01:34 AM)anc6802 Wrote: I'm guessing its one of the rear screws that are recessed in his chassis? If its stripped badly many times you can use a t4 or a t5 torx bit (*) and it will grip what's left of the center. The other alternative is to drill the screw head off which is easy, they used pot metal for the screws and the drill just eats them up in seconds.

Super, I love toaster strudels', they never give enough frosting in the packets!

I remember having those bits, but the screwdriver I use is too short to get in. It's like a metal tube with a magnet at the bottom, but the magnet is too low, and the bits can't reach the screw, as the tube is too thick to get into the hole in the bottom of the chassis.