Help, the engine steam does’t start

[Jose Antonio Alvarez RochaParticipant @joseantonioalvarezrocha75530]

First of all, I am completely new in the Alive Steam. I've built a Queen of Africa and I had the idea to use a steam engine. The surprise was that the first time I lit the boiler, the engine ran very well. It only happened the first time. I could never start the engine after this first time. Now, the engine doesn't start. At first the engine is smooth and looks set to start, but when water boils and there is pressure of steam

the engine becomes stiff and I have difficult to move the steering wheel by hand. Finally the engine doesn't start and I have to abandon everything.



Please, what am I doing wrong?



What should I do to fix it?



I've blown air with compressor airbrush, and the engine starts.



Thank you

[Jose Antonio Alvarez RochaParticipant @joseantonioalvarezrocha75530]

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Jose……Welcome to the Forum

Can you post a picture of the steam engine, please?

There doesn't seem to be much wrong with it

Is it new?

I would recommend that you oil all moving surfaces and run on the compressor for 15 mins

CAUTION!

You need to be very careful with steam engines and boilers!

The boiler needs to be pressure tested, using a water pump, to a pressure, much higher than the normal running pressure

You need to get a knowledgable competent person to check over the setup and declare it safe, before running again with the boiler, by joining a model boat club and seeking their advice

All the best……….Bob

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

There is an item on boiler testing in our Features section under Hints, Tips and Technical:

**LINK**

There are also several other sample articles by Richard Simpson on steam plants in this section which you may find useful.

Colin

[Andy StonemanParticipant @andystoneman15177]

Hi, Jose, I think that Bob is on the right track. I am think thinking that as your engine is fairly new it needs to be run in, A bit like a new car, So plenty of oil, Do you have an in line oiler to provide lubricant whilst the engine is running ?Make sure that it is topped up prior to any run on steam. Unfortunately if you run it on Air as Bob suggested it won`t work. So give it a light squirt down the steam pipe prior to running on compressed air, And occasionally during the run in period. If you don`t have an air compressor holding the shaft in an electric drill will also achieve a running in period. If after 15-20 minutes running it still is not looser extend the running in period. Make sure the engine is fully clamped down and mind your fingers.

Andy

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