Motor trouble.

[garethp]

This seems to be what's in my headstock!
View attachment 97604
As it says "oil" on the filler plug I'll assume this is not right!
But what do I use?
There's too much confusing info around and Chester themselves have told me look at the manual, this is after I've told them the manual doesn't say what to use!


Here's a picture of what I assume is the FILL plug on the top right by the cable, do I fill it until oil starts coming out like a car diff? Also what's the brass oil pressure sensor looking thing in the middle below the chuck?
There's a drain plug at the bottom rear of the headstock but I'm not sure what will come out!

View attachment 97605

That looks like a grease / oil mix! Can you get the headstock lid off to properly clean it out before putting fresh oil in? I can't comment on what should be in it but any decent oil should be better.

Is the switch in the bottom photo a limit stop for the saddle to kill the motor instead of breaking something while power feeding?

 

[dobbslc]

Is the switch in the bottom photo a limit stop for the saddle to kill the motor instead of breaking something while power feeding?[/QUOTE]

I wish it was!
I've already bust a set of expensive bevel gears last year and a week ago I crashed it again.
This time I think it's chewed up the roll pin in the drive shaft! I hope that's what happened.....

I think it's just an oil pressure switch that has replaced a lost bolt as there's nothing in the manual or parts list about it???

 

[normspanners]

can you get a propane gas heater to point at it and get it all proper warm then get some diesel in there and run it light to 'thin' the grease /oil mix out then when it is drained there will be a better chance of getting the thick stuff out, sometimes have to do that with engines that have not had an oil change for years,and the oil is like glue, you run them at idle to get them proper hot, if they will start!, then drain and fill with kerosene / oil mix it might have to be done a couple of times, to wash out the oil from hard to reach places.

 

[dobbslc]

What oil should I use in the headstock?
I keep finding ISO32 hydrolic but it's expensive if bought "for a lathe"
Can I just go to Halfords or a car factors and get some?

 

[penfold]

Not likely. Agricultural engineers, tractor dealers, jobbing engineering companies, hydraulic servicing companies will all have the stuff available in bulk, although to get a gallon you'll probably need to supply your own container so just buy a petrol can if you've no empty cans.

 

[dobbslc]

OK I've fitted the new caps and it's made absolutely no difference! At least I've got a spare set now.
It's still struggling to start on the highest speed when cold but is fine after a few attempts.
I'll try the diesel wash and new oil when I can find some ISO32 grade stuff.
But is this OK to use in my lathe???

 

[Rig Pig]

ATF is another option if you need smaller quality light oil or power steering oil both are used in gear pump / gear box service. And will be better for your bearings than Chinese goose fat!

 

[normspanners]

A modern synthetic car or m/cycle gear oil should work ok it will throw round better than old style ep 90 or the grease you did have in there.