![\"x\"](\"http:\/\/gerdhoeren.me\/Train\/Train-Images\/IMG_4823.jpg\")
\nAfter you remove the housing and weight, take out the brushes.<\/p>\n
Once a year or so, the motors need to be cleaned.\u00a0 Usually, the gears need oiling as well.\u00a0 If you find that you need to perform this procedure more often, you are probably applying too much oil.<\/p>\n
Here are pictures of what I did to clean a used Fleischmann 4181 that I bought recently.\u00a0 It still ran, but kinda slow with a bit of electrical smell.<\/p>\n
\nAfter you remove the housing and weight, take out the brushes.<\/p>\n
![\"x\"](\"http:\/\/gerdhoeren.me\/Train\/Train-Images\/IMG_4824.jpg\")
\nRemove the two screws (3 in older models) that hold down the armature electrical plate.\u00a0 I had to remove the screws that hold the chassis to the motor assembly.\u00a0 Notice that the armature is pretty dirty.<\/p>\n
![\"x\"](\"http:\/\/gerdhoeren.me\/Train\/Train-Images\/IMG_4825.jpg\")
\nClean the armature with acetone.\u00a0 Alcohol works too, but not nearly as well.<\/p>\n
![\"x\"](\"http:\/\/gerdhoeren.me\/Train\/Train-Images\/IMG_4826.jpg\")
\nIt’s important to remove dirt from between the three armature plates.\u00a0 Otherwise, there is electrical leakage between the connections that keeps the motor from running full speed.\u00a0 Clean the three cracks with acetone.<\/p>\n
Most of the time, this is level of cleaning is sufficient.\u00a0 But, this engine has been used for about 10 years and the armature has grooves.\u00a0 This works okay, but you’ll need to clean it more often.<\/p>\n
![\"x\"](\"http:\/\/gerdhoeren.me\/Train\/Train-Images\/IMG_4827.jpg\")
\nIf necessary — and if you dare — polish the armature with #600 sand paper.\u00a0 I do this by putting into a power drill that’s held in a vise.<\/p>\n
This step only needs to be done every 5 to 10 years of moderate use.<\/p>\n
![\"x\"](\"http:\/\/gerdhoeren.me\/Train\/Train-Images\/IMG_4830.jpg\")
\nAs you can see, polishing makes a huge difference!<\/p>\n
![\"x\"](\"http:\/\/gerdhoeren.me\/Train\/Train-Images\/IMG_4832.jpg\")
\nClean the old oil from the gears.\u00a0 It can get “sludgy” in older engines.\u00a0 The previous owner had used some type of automobile grease that was way too thick for these tiny gears.<\/p>\n
I like to use Fleischmann oil on the shafts and bearings.\u00a0 If you use a different brand, make sure it is “plastic safe” oil.<\/p>\n
Don’t over-oil — it will just make the wheels and tracks dirty.<\/p>\n
![\"x\"](\"http:\/\/gerdhoeren.me\/Train\/Train-Images\/IMG_4833.jpg\")
\nApply a small amount of oil to the motor shaft bearing.\u00a0 Too much oil here will mess up the armature after very little running time.<\/p>\n
![\"x\"](\"http:\/\/gerdhoeren.me\/Train\/Train-Images\/IMG_4834.jpg\")
\nI like to use the thicker Roco lubricant for the gear’s teeth.<\/p>\n
![\"x\"](\"http:\/\/gerdhoeren.me\/Train\/Train-Images\/IMG_4835.jpg\")
\nClean the brushes on a piece of paper.\u00a0 They usually don’t need to be replaced.<\/p>\n
![\"Fleischmann](\"http:\/\/gerdhoeren.me\/Train\/Train-Images\/IMG_4839.jpg\" "\\"Fleischmann")
\n… and finally enjoy how well your Fleischmann engine runs.<\/p>\n
Updated: January\u00a02017<\/i><\/small>\nContact: GerdHoeren at Gmail dot com<\/i><\/small><\/pre>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Once a year or so, the motors need to be cleaned.\u00a0 Usually, the gears need oiling as well.\u00a0 If you find that you need to perform this procedure more often, you are probably applying too much oil. Here are pictures of what I did to clean a used Fleischmann 4181 that I bought recently.\u00a0 It … Continue reading Fleischmann Motor and Gear Cleaning<\/span>