Yeah! I watched a video of someone cleaning an HO train motor and he basically said the same sort of thing. That was more validation to me that we were looking at the right thing.

I'm aware that this could be a problem with petroleum-based lubricants, but I've been using vaseline on train axles, etc, for a number of years and haven't seen any issues. If it does become a problem down the line I'll definitely switch.

@@NonsenseWars So I did a little research and www.plasticsintl.com/chemical-resistance-chart reports ABS compatibility with Vaseline is "B = Slight attack by absorption. Some swelling and a small reduction in mechanical likely", which is better than I expected. That same resource rates "silicone fluids" compatibility as "D = Material will decompose or dissolve in a short," while another resource rates "silicone oils" as "A - excellent". So there you go, no good answer. :-)

Do tell if this fixes your motors! I would love to get a bigger sample size of common failure modes for these motors. At first blush it does seem like the maximum maintenance-free lifespan you are getting out of them is only on the order of hundreds of hours (at least at full speed).

@@NonsenseWars I'll let you know. It might take a while, though, until I can check. The official life span of the motors is very low, as far as I remember. They last a lot longer in realitiy but not long enough for many GBC conventions. :-) For me, the motors that have these problems have all been in modules that were blocked multiple times during a convention.

I'd be surprised if all the motors didn't have the bearing... some might just be better hidden than others. If the shaft was actually just rubbing against the plastic I think it would disintegrate pretty quickly!

Thanks!

Personally, I think they wear out faster if they heat up a lot. If you run light loads and keep them cool, they could run for a long time.

Haven't had the chance to take one of those apart yet! Curious to see if it's just a different motor with the same transmission.

You should definitely try doing this; I've already had one fake motor go bad on me and it's the same problem!

And I have one question is the fake lego m motor water proof ?

Hi, until I can find a replacement motor with the same performance as the old ones, I think cleaning them is still valuable. See this video: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/sMxdd7yAr57YZXU.html