dislodged regulator push/pull rod
Upon arrival of new family member, a 'flying' A3, and experiencing some steaming control issues on a rolling road, we removed main engine housing and eventually discovered that the push/pull rod connecting the regulator gearbox to the regulator valve lever had popped out of the lever hole at the regulator valve end. Is this a common problem or given if it has popped out once is it likely to be an on-going experience? Would it be wise to wrap a loop or two of thin copper wire around the rear section of the regulator valve housing to narrow the gap between rod and bottom of reg. housing to minimize opportunity of rod disconnecting. This engine was unused until we gave it one and a half steamings and discovered this issue, so the the rod may have been inadequately inserted at manufacture and bumped out during transit.
RC
Chris. Hope you may be able to clarify another assembly query ... or two.
During the recent 'play time' with the rev arm and comparing to the Hornby A3 exploded parts diagram, we noticed for our regulator lever the washer (red) is between the spring and the lever, not as in the diagram where the washer (black) is between the lever/wiper and the nut. Methinks our (red) washer is in the wrong place and this may have contributed to allowing the rev arm to pop out of the lever hole. Additionally, when screwing the rev arm into the joint would it be best to screw the arm all the way in and then back off half a turn?
( We have only had this A3 for a week and it was promoted as pristine/never used. Is it possible that there was a range of alternate assembly variations even direct from the original manufacturer ? )
Thank you for any insight you may be able to offer. RC.