KATO JAPAN REPAIR

[kusojiji]

Anybody have experience with sending their models to Kato for repair? I went to their website and saw that they require you to make contact with them to discuss it before sending. I also downloaded their repair form and had it translated to English.

 

So, about the discussion part... not sure how that's going to go. I'll send them an email first to see how that goes.

 

I have two  N scale C62s that need help. One developed a rod knock and the other has always had a wobble due to a wonky drive wheel. I'm hoping this one is warranty since I bought it in 9/2024 and wonky wheel is manufacturing defect. The one with the rod knock ticks around corners and then has problems going straight without a side to side jerk. I thought I had fixed it when I noticed that the bottom plate was loose (both of them actually), and snugged them down. That fixed the tick around the corners but not the jerking. The front set of drive wheels is sprung and the motion is hinged all over the place for all kinds of side motion with the wheels. Can't understand why she'd end up with rod knock with this much play.

 

Anyway, hope to hear back on how your experience went.

 

 

[SwallowAngel]

I unfortunately don't have any experience wit h the KATO repair service, but I do wonder if the C62 with the side-to-side jerk is even defective...

One of those "chronic issues" some (coreless) KATO steamers have is a slight sideways jerk when running. In my experience the problem is most pronounced in the C62's. It tends to be rather intermittent, with the loco's running fine for a while before starting to jerk a little before stopping again after a while. I still have yet to nail down the source of this problem, but nothing I tried (and trust me, I've tried a lot) seems to solve the issue, so it's most likely just a design flaw.

As far as I know there's little to no documentation on this issue, though it is somewhat understood to be one with some KATO steamers. The only video that showcases the "wobbling" (as I like to refer to it) is this Shigemon video. As the loco consist comes into frame C62 2 exhibits a rather dramatic wobbling from side to side.

If your loco suffers from the same issue, I'm afraid there's not much you can do about it. You could send it in, but even then I am rather doubtful as to what they'd try to replace/repair...

Both of my C62's suffer from this, so it's just kinda something you need to live with...

 

Edited Thursday at 12:04 PM by SwallowAngel

[bc6]

I have had limited success with Kato repair in Japan, Have you attempted to send it back to the retailer from which you purchased the locomotive. I think that would be the most expedient way to get warranty service rather than do it on your own.

[kusojiji]

9 hours ago, SwallowAngel said:

"chronic issues"

Hi, that sucks. After posting this, I took a closer look at the one that ticks. Using a 10x magnifier, I found a hairball stuck under the traction tire. While trying to remove it, I found that the traction tire was mush. I cut both sides off and ran it like that. Problem went away. I did the same with the wonky wheel one and it runs straight and smooth as well. Not sure if I want to leave it that way or not. i do have spare tires.

 

4 hours ago, bc6 said:

send it back to the retailer

I need to find out who the retailer is. Bought from Amazon. 

[kusojiji]

Well, as expected, the Amazon retailer will not provide any help.

[bc6]

Sorry to hear that do you know of any Japanese retailers who you have a relationship with. You can always try to ship the loco to Kato Japan

[kusojiji]

Hi,

 

You stated limited success with Kato repair. Can you elaborate, please? Did they deny the repair?

 

Thanks!

Edited Friday at 05:52 AM by kusojiji

[kusojiji]

17 hours ago, SwallowAngel said:

this Shigemon video

You know, I watched that video several times and even did that mod. I didn't pay attention to the way his models ran 🙂