Steam Oil as After Run Oil

Levent Suberk Sun Mar 24, 2019 3:10 pm

I have been trying steam machine oil as after run oil. Steam oil can be mixed with water, so it absorbs water which attracted by methanol. Perhaps it is better than machine oil.

JennyC6 Sun Mar 24, 2019 5:32 pm

Would probably work. I've always advised using Dexron III ATF as ARO if needed, mostly because it's $3/quart and I have a bunch of fords in my driveway that use Dexron III ATF as well. REally, any auto trans fluid works well.

That being said, you generally don't need ARO if you run your engines out of fuel at the end of the day, provided you push plenty of castor through them during operation(Which we should all be doing, these engines need castor!). Been doing my cars like that since 2003 and I've never damaged an engine from it and I don't plan on changing that for my Cox mills either.

balogh Sun Mar 24, 2019 5:45 pm

I guess ARO better conserves the engine for a lasting storage than castor because the latter tends to gum up in a few weeks while ARO remains liquid longer.

JennyC6 Sun Mar 24, 2019 6:35 pm

It de-gums pretty quick when fresh fuel hits it, though. I had an OS 46AX hang on the wall for over ten years protected just by its castor residue and, yeah, it was rather stiff at first. But as soon as fuel got in the old castor gum liquified and it roared to life without a second thought.

coxaddict Mon Mar 25, 2019 5:26 am

If that's the same type of oil used in steam turbines it would contain a lot of rust inhibitors which I think would work well in preventing rust in iron piston/cylinder assemblies.

rsv1cox Mon Mar 25, 2019 7:36 am

Years ago (40/50) I got sick of my engines gumming up after a few weeks of non-use. So I started spraying them with WD-40. That will fix them I thought. Not so, worse than if I used nothing at all.

Switched to Remoil, straw in the needle hole, venturi, and exhaust ports, blew out excess with compressed air. No problems since. Long term storage I would put in few drops of Prather after-run oil.

My go-to's

Works in my Cox Mercedes differentials too where they leave a hole (screw secured) for applications of a light oil.

getback Mon Mar 25, 2019 7:52 am

Her is some interesting facts and alot of good stuff if you like Trains and Steam!! https://www.southernsteamtrains.com/misc/steam-oil-hwade.htm

fredvon4 Mon Mar 25, 2019 10:24 am

Thanks ERIC
amazing how much I get to learn every week on CEF

getback Mon Mar 25, 2019 2:19 pm

Welcome Fred , i sure enjoyed an hour of LOOKING !! Love the Trains and videos $$

rsv1cox Mon Mar 25, 2019 3:10 pm

getback wrote:Welcome Fred , i sure enjoyed an hour of LOOKING !! Love the Trains and videos $$

I have been a railfan most of my life.

Recently took a trip with my son in law to Cass WV, population 52, elevation 2500' and rode the excursion train to the top of Cheat mountain in the Monongahela National Forest. Fun listening to those Shay gears work.

Levent Suberk Mon Mar 25, 2019 3:28 pm

I experimented that steam engine oil don't mix and trap water at room temperature.

Once I made an emulsion for steam engine by mixing soap with tap water, then added 20W/50 oil in it. Oil partially mixed with tap water in this emulsion. But it is suitable for only small steam engines.

An interesting after run oil named Vapour Oil here:
https://www.westonuk.co.uk/Vap03-Vapour-Oil-60ml/

There is a review of this oil in the last issue of Aero Modeller magazine: "It forms a stable emulsion with water, “locking” it away from metal surfaces, preventing corrosion".

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Steam Oil as After Run Oil

Steam Oil as After Run Oil

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Re: Steam Oil as After Run Oil

Re: Steam Oil as After Run Oil

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Re: Steam Oil as After Run Oil

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Re: Steam Oil as After Run Oil