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Another B.L.I. fail

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  • Member since
    March 2016
  • 1,553 posts
Posted by PRR8259 on Saturday, December 19, 2020 6:43 PM

One has two choices with new defective BLI engines:

1. Send it back to them and wait however long it takes them to repair it, which can be several weeks or a couple months.  They will fix it for free.

2. Send it to Train Service Depot, also in Florida.  Seneca is a former BLI repair tech and can get any part BLI has in stock.  This option is much faster, but you will have to pay for the repair.  However, they did a repair for me and had the engine back in my hands in two weeks flat, despite having to get parts from BLI.

It is a matter of how quickly you want to see the item repaired.  Train Service Depot offers speed, and returned a 4-6-6-4 to me in absolutely perfect cosmetic condition.  I also, for reasons we do not need to get into, just did not trust BLI, but found I could trust Seneca.

John

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Friday, December 18, 2020 8:12 PM

ATSFGuy

BLI will take it apart and see what the issue is.  

I agree. In my experience, they do take the time to figure out the problem and resolve it. And, they write out the solution, the fix, on the paperwork when they return the repaired loco.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    November 2015
  • 1,345 posts
Posted by ATSFGuy on Friday, December 18, 2020 7:42 PM

BLI will take it apart and see what the issue is. 

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Thursday, December 17, 2020 2:54 PM

cold steal

Thanks, I will remember that but off to BLI it went already. 

Yeah, best to have BLI have a look at it.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    October 2008
  • 133 posts
Posted by cold steal on Thursday, December 17, 2020 2:35 PM

Thanks, I will remember that but off to BLI it went already.

  • Member since
    May 2014
  • From: Pennsylvania
  • 1,154 posts
Posted by Trainman440 on Thursday, December 17, 2020 12:55 PM

If you're talking the plastic piece that's meant to connect the driveshaft to the flywheel is slipping/loose, a drop of glue should fix the issue. 

Ive had this also happen to my BLI husdon. Its not uncommon. 

This should work as long as nothing is cracked, or broken. 

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  • Member since
    October 2008
  • 133 posts
Posted by cold steal on Thursday, December 17, 2020 12:36 PM

The flywheel is hollowed out and has a plastic insert tucked into it. From that insert emerges the plastic driveshaft.I'm not sure but I think the insert should be solidly connected thereby driving the worm but mine just spins inside the flywheel. If I had more confidence and better eyesight I would have dug deeper into it cause now my curiosity is killing me as to how it's connected. Anyway, with 3 min. of run time I shouldent have to be taking anything apart.

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Thursday, December 17, 2020 12:03 PM

What is the problem that causes the driveshaft to slip?

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,483 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Thursday, December 17, 2020 10:01 AM

I have a BLI Hudson.  It also developed a drive train slip.  One of the couplings between the motor and driveshaft had come loose.  It was not cracked, just loose.  One drop of CA fixed it and it has been fine ever since.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    October 2008
  • 133 posts
Another B.L.I. fail
Posted by cold steal on Thursday, December 17, 2020 8:17 AM

Sorry to say my Penn. streamlined pacific with about 3 min. run time has a driveline slip. Took the shell off and observed motor and flywheel working but driveshaft not staying attached to it. After many attempts I called it quits. I have the bronze one and liked it so much I was literally going to get the green one this week to mess with on xmas day but not now. This problem also arouse in my newer T1. They have been at this for many years and should have these issues erradicated.

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